The global market for tilapia : one or several

Tilapia is one of the fastest growing aquaculture species in the world. It is produced and consumed in all continents and in more countries than most other species, making the market more heterogeneous than for other successful aquaculture species such as salmon and shrimp. This paper investigates the degree of market integration between tilapia from the three largest production regions, Asia, Africa and South and Central America. We consider differences in the production methods, transport costs and qualities of these regions and determine whether tilapia products from different producers can essentially be considered the “same” product. This is important if the rapid worldwide development of farmed tilapia and its future development prospects are to be better understood

Climate change and the economics of fisheries in Australia

Climate change is generally agreed to be one of the biggest challenges facing the world today, and Australia is no exception. Marine fisheries productivity and distribution is predicted to change with ocean warming. Here, I will examine the economic consequences of climate change on the Australian fishing industry. I will discuss how the costs and benefits derived from fishing by the industry is likely to be affected by climate. In addition, I will discuss how the industry may adapt to these changes. For this contribution, I will apply both market analysis and economic modelling of fisheries

Market Interaction Between Tilapia Imports and US Catfish Production

Tilapia exports to the US have been claimed to double in the last three years following the two bans on Vietnamese catfish imports in November 2001 and June 2003. The aim of these bans was to restrict imports from the major exporter of Catfish (Vietnam) reducing competition for US catfish producers in the market. Interestingly, the bans on Vietnamese catfish may have indirectly benefited tilapia imports and in particular, frozen fillets as catfish is mainly imported as frozen fillets into the US market. This could explain how frozen fillets of tilapia have astonishingly grown by 391% in the last three years. In this study, we investigate relationships between the prices of frozen fillets from US produced and Vietnamese imported catfish as well as imports of tilapia frozen fillets to obtain information about their market structure. Prices were found to be non-stationary so the Johansen test was used as the empirical tool to investigate possible market integration between these three products. The results indicate frozen fillets of US produced and Vietnamese catfish imports are integrated, though not perfectly, in the same market. On the other hand, frozen fillets of tilapia imports have not been found to compete with either US produced or Vietnamese catfish imports. Tilapia must therefore be taking market share from a different product in the US market, such as red snapper. These results have important policy implications as a ban on tilapia imports would not benefit American catfish producers conversely it would severely affect an industry that is largely taking off in developing countries around Asia and South and Central America

Is tilapia the same product worldwide or are markets segmented?

Tilapia is one of the fastest growing aquaculture species in the world. It is produced and consumed in all continents and in more countries than most other species, making the market more heterogeneous than for other successful aquaculture species such as salmon and shrimp. This paper investigates the degree of market integration between tilapia from the three largest production regions, Asia, Africa and South and Central America. The study considers the different production methods, transport costs and qualities between the world’s largest producers and determines whether tilapia products from different producers can essentially be considered the same product. This is important in order to understand the fast development of farmed tilapia worldwide and its prospects for future development

Executive functions and functional impairment in Latin seniors suffering from depression

Functional impairment (FI) relates to the condition of executive functions (EFs). While EFs become affected by age and educational level (EL). Seniors suffering from depression (SSDs) on the other hand show EF-related deficiencies; however, there is hardly any literature available regarding their relationship with FI in Latin SSDs, who usually have low ELs. Objective: To verify the relationship between EFs and FI in SSDs of Latin origins, by controlling the effects associated with age and educational level. Methodology: Cross-sectional study, of cases and controls, conducted on a nonprobability sample, made up of 102 self-sufficient SSDs and 142 control subjects over age 50, monolinguals of Latin origin (Chileans), all assessed by means of a battery of assessments such as: Geriatric Depression Scale, Addenbrook's Cognitive Assessment III, Trail making Tests A and B, STROOP word-color test, and semantic and phonological verbal fluency tests. A domain of composite EFs was established with standardized Chilean population scores, where age and educational levels were controlled. A simple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between EFs and FI in SSDs. Results: Upon controlling age and educational levels, EFs explained an FI variance of 3.9% in SSDs; depression explained an EF variance of 3.2%, and 3.7% of FI. Conclusion: The results of the present study highlight the importance of a timely intervention when it comes to geriatric depression, considering the negative effect it has over the executive functions and the functionality of seniors

Economic Impacts of Climate Change on Australian Fisheries and Associated Sectors By 2030

This study investigates the economic impact to fisheries and associated sectors if wild fisheries continue operating to 2030 without considering the effects of climate change. Estimates of climate change impacts in Australian fisheries and their associated probability distributions were derived from the literature and expert consultations. An Input- Output model of the Australian economy was used to determine the flow-on effects of these impacts. Monte Carlo simulations were undertaken on the basis of the associated uncertainties to climate change predictions. The results present a baseline for evaluating the benefits of future climate change adaptations. The results, based upon the best available biological projections, indicate most Australian fisheries considered may in fact see economic benefit as a result of climate change by 2030. Adaptation strategies should consider minimising losses and maximizing the benefits that could be brought by climate change

The Australian Coral Reef Fin-Fish Fishery ITQ Market

The Australian coral reef fin-fish fishery (CRFFF) on the Great Barrier Reef has been managed under ITQs since 2004. A large number of different reef species (>155) are covered by the management plan, but the primary species in terms of value and volume landed are coral trout and red throat emperor. All remaining species are classified as other species for management purposes. The operational side of the fishery is relatively heterogeneous and distinct sub-divisions exist between participants in terms of individual vessel characteristics and the species and product forms landed. The ITQ system has introduced an additional dimension for heterogeneity between fishers whilst also allowing investors not participating in the fishery to hold and trade quota. This analysis uses data on individual level quota holdings and trades to assess the CRFFF quota market and its evolution through time. Fishery level trends in ownership and trade are determined, and market participants are identified as belonging to one out of a set of seven generalized types. The emergence of groups such as investors and lease dependent fishers is clear. In 2010-11 42% of coral trout quota was owned by participants that did not fish it and 69% of total coral trout landings were made by fishers that owned only 11% of the quota. The incentives faced by the groups within the fishery differ, as do their vulnerabilities and resilience to natural or management related changes in the fishery's situation

Visceral Larva Migrans in Immigrants from Latin America

To determine whether increased migration is associated with an increase in incidence of toxocariasis (visceral larva migrans), we analyzed clinical data obtained from immigrants from Latin America. Although infection with Toxocara sp. roundworm larvae is distributed worldwide, seroprevalence is highest in tropical and subtropical areas