The Economic Impact of the Florida Cultured Hard Clam Industry

Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate the economic impact on the Florida economy generated by the cultured hard clam industry. Florida certified shellfish wholesalers that handle Florida cultured hard clams were interviewed by telephone survey to determine the number and value of clams that they process, the sources of their clams, prices received, and the marketing channels (wholesale, retail, restaurant, and consumer) where they sell their clams. Of the three regions in the state, northwest Florida handled two-thirds of clams cultured in Florida. Firms obtained their clams from within their own region as well as from the other two regions in Florida. The Florida cultured hard clam wholesale and processing industry had $21.8 million in sales in 1999. Around 43 percent of these sales were within the state and 57 percent of them were to out-of-state locations, including international destinations. Regardless of the geographic destination of the cultured clams sold by clam firms, the majority was sold to other wholesalers. The total economic impact of the clam industry on Florida, after accounting for direct, indirect, and induced impacts, was $33.9 million in output, $9.0 million in labor income, and $12.1 million in value added.     

Volume and Value of Marine Ornamentals Collected in Florida, 1990–98

The marine life fishing industry in Florida is defined by the state as the non-lethal harvest of marine plants, finfish, and invertebrates that are sold live for commercial purposes (primarily into the saltwater aquarium industry). Approximately 330 different species of finfish and invertebrates are harvested by marine life collectors in Florida, including 180 species of finfish and 150 species of invertebrates and plants. In 1998, the total dockside value of these species was approximately US$1.9 million. The industry is highly regulated via limits on gear, handling methods, harvest sizes, and trip/bag/possession limits. Entry into the industry has been recently curtailed by the implementation of a moratorium on marine life endorsements. The total number of licensed harvesters exceeded 700 in 1998. Approximately 70 wholesales buyers also participated in the market during 1998. The majority of the dockside value is generated in south Florida, with the majority of the remaining value accruing from the region including and north of Tampa Bay. Over 80% of the total value associated with both finfish and invertebrates is generated by only 10 species within each group. Dockside prices vary considerably among the various species landed, with those landed in greater volumes exhibiting the lower prices.     

Ornamental Fish Industry in Sri Lanka: Present Status and Future Trends

The aquarium fish industry in Sri Lanka has become a valuable foreign exchange earner during the past few years, earning Rs. 530 million in 1998. Sri Lankan ornamental fish exports for the international market include locally wild caught marine, brackish-water and freshwater species as well as captive bred freshwater fish. Presently, there are about 18 registered aquarium fish exporters and together they currently contribute approximately 1% of the world's demand for ornamental fish. Of the freshwater fish species exported from Sri Lanka, the guppy ranks the highest (67% by number), followed by swordtails, angels, platies and various species of tetras. This study aims to assess the present status and future trends in the ornamental fish industry in Sri Lanka; to overview the present fish production system which caters for the international market; and to identify present constraints within the industry. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Preliminary Investigations into the Socio-Economic Feasibility of Saltwater Cage Culture of Florida Red Tilapia in Haiti

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the socio-economic feasibility of saltwater cage culture of Florida red tilapia as a new production activity in Haiti. Market outlets and potential prices for saltwater-reared red tilapia in Haiti were examined. Availability and prices of inputs to production were considered. Although this information was collected in the context of Haiti, it is relevant to other developing countries when assessing the potential for a mariculture industry.
Two types of market outlets for saltwater-reared red tilapia were found to exist in Haiti. The predominant rural market sector treated red tilapia as a low-value species and paid an average price ($0.90/kg roundweight) similar to that for freshwater black tilapia. Urban specialty markets treated red tilapia as a premium quality fish and paid an average price ($2.20/kg cleaned) equal to that for snapper and grouper.
Comparison of production costs to potential market prices indicates that saltwater cage culture of tilapia is not economically feasible on an artisanal scale and is a high financial risk on a commercial scale. Break-even prices are higher than prices in the large rural market sector. No data exists to indicate sufficient demand in the smaller urban specialty market sector or export markets.     

新加坡观赏鱼产业发展的机遇与挑战

新加坡是一个小岛国,农业用地及用于养鱼的海域面积均很有限。但新加坡观赏鱼产业相当独特和成功,是世界第一观赏鱼出口国,向80多个国家出售超过1 000种鱼类,2016年的年收入达到4 300万美元。该产业的成功主要源于其在许可证颁发,生物安全控制,养殖,包装,运输和疾病控制等各方面所具有的独特特征。新加坡正在努力驯养和培育许多高价值的海洋物种和新的淡水物种,并开发新型的循环水养殖系统。上游研究侧重于开发和使用基因组工具来培育新品种并维持野外种类的遗传多样性。但由于养殖鱼类的空间有限,邻国竞争激烈,该行业面临诸多挑战,其市场份额正在减少。在这篇综述中,我们将总结新加坡观赏鱼产业的现状和发展,讨论其面临的挑战,并提出保持该产业领先地位的建议。     

United States of America Trade in Ornamental Fish

Ornamental fish production is among the leading cash crops of the United States of America aquaculture economy, and retail value of the fish trade is worth approximately US$l,000 million. However, few studies exist to document this trade. Using import and export documents we report trends in total values for the U.S. trade in ornamental fish. Also, we determined the number and value of the most commonly imported ornamental fish. In 1992, approximately 201 million fish valued at $44.7 million were imported into the U.S. The port of Los Angeles handled 39% of all trade activity, Miami 22%, New York 16%, Tampa 6%, and Honolulu 6%. Freshwater fish accounted for approximately 96% of the total volume and 80% of the value of the imports. Most freshwater ornamental fish were farm-raised and imported from Southeast Asia. Most U.S. exports of ornamental fish were cultured in the state of Florida. Although saltwater fish had a high market value (20% of the declared value of the imports), the volume of these fish was only 4%. Most imported and exported saltwater ornamental fish were collected from the wild. Of the 1,539 species declared as ornamental fish, 32 species dominated the trade. These were all of freshwater origin. The guppy Poecilia reticulala and neon tetra Paracheirodon innesi were the most popular ornamental fish kept in U.S. households. The average prices paid for imported ornamental freshwater fish were 45 cents for egg layers and 22 cents for live bearers. The results of this study document the importance of the ornamental fish industry and identifies the most valuable species in the trade for potential domestic culture and protection in the wild.     

The Potential for the Restoration of Marine Ornamental Fish Populations Through Hatchery Releases

Populations of tropical and subtropical marine fish are being depleted worldwide to supply increasing demands of the aquarium industry and fresh seafood market. Overfishing and destructive harvest techniques have left some marine fish populations virtually extirpated in a number of primarily underdeveloped countries. In situations where only small remnant populations and significantly degraded habitat remain, population recovery even under the complete absence of collection will be slow, with the high potential for population loss due to natural environmental and recruitment variability. Stock enhancement, supplementing natural recruitment with hatchery produced fry, has the potential to significantly increase the rate of population recovery while maintaining population vigor.Stock enhancement research on Pacific threadfin has demonstrated measurable positive impacts on recreational and commercial fisheries for this species in experimental scale releases; similar successes can be expected for enhancement efforts directed toward species of ornamental value. The major technological barrier to ornamental fish enhancement, the development of appropriate culture capabilities, is being addressed in research directed to the commercial production of fish for the aquarium trade.     

Preliminary Observations on the Marketability of Saltwater-Cultured Florida Red Tilapia in Puerto Rico

A preliminary assessment of the marketability of saltwatercultured Florida red tilapia was conducted at a farm outlet store and at nine restaurants in Puerto Rico. Florida red tilapia were grown in six 0.2-ha ponds at 22.7 ± 1.2 (mean ± SE) ppt salinity by a commercial aquaculture enterprise in Dorado, northeastern Puerto Rico. Customers purchased 4,683kg of dressed-out fish (gilled, gutted and scaled) at $7.70/kg and 826kg of whole fish at $6.60/kg from a retail outlet store located at the aquaculture farm, and nine restaurants purchased 1,071kg of dressed-out fish at wholesale prices ranging from $4.96 to $5.18/kg. Farm outlet customers and restaurants preferred dressed-out fish between 454–567g and 567–580g, respectively. Prices paid per serving by restaurant customers for red tilapia ($7.00–$25.00) were similar to that paid for silk snapper Lutjanus vivanus , a popular marine food fish in Puerto Rico. Market surveys of customers at these outlets showed that 75–81% of the respondents were new consumers of red tilapia and that they rated red tilapia highly in taste, texture, freshness, and presentation and equal to or better than silk snapper. There was no effect ( P > 0.05) of age group or economic level on consumer responses. Survey participants stressed the need for product promotion, including a more markehriented name that emphasized the red color and that it was farm-raised in saltwater, to distinguish it from darkcolored, wild-caught freshwater tilapia. Local saltwater production of Florida red tilapia could help supply the market demand for fresh, marine fish in Puerto Rico if producers can meet the demand for quality, availability and price.     

Future prospects and their implications for research on the ecology of freshwater fish

Abstract– Projected world population increases imply demand for an increase of 60 million tonnes on the present world fish production of 100 million tonnes. Capture fisheries are unlikely to yield more because many stocks are already overexploited, there are few remaining unexploited and management shows few signs of redressing problems. Aquaculture is a possible source of the required production, given maintenance of current rates of increase. If this potential is to be realized, the importance of maintaining the quality of freshwater, brackish and coastal marine environments can scarcely be overstated. In a world of rapid change, there is an urgent need for research at all levels of biological and social organization that relate to the ecology of freshwater fish. At the organismic level, genetics, migratory behaviour and physiological ecology will be emphasized. Population genetics research is needed to enlighten controversies concerning the impact of cultural practices and the effects of harvesting natural populations. Greater attention will be given to interactions between species, including fish and their parasites, and the dynamics of multispecies interactions in pond culture and in capture fisheries. Issues of multiple uses of water resources will force research on freshwater fish ecology into broader contexts. The march of discovery in all branches of science will have major implications for freshwater fisheries research. The next few decades will be demanding of the creative energies of young researchers.     

Regulatory costs on U.S. salmonid farms

The economic effects of the implementation of regulations on aquaculture farms in the United States, while of concern, are not well understood. A national survey was conducted of salmonid (trout and salmon) farms in 17 states of the United States to measure on‐farm regulatory costs and to identify which regulations were the most costly to this industry segment. The response rate was 63%, with a coverage rate of 94.5% of the U.S. production of salmonids. The regulatory system resulted in increased national on‐farm costs of $16.1 million/year, lost markets with a sales value of $7.1 million/year, lost production of $5.3 million/year, and thwarted expansion attempts estimated at $40.1 million/year. Mean farm regulatory costs were $150,506/farm annually, or $2.71/kg; lost markets with annual sales values of $66,274/farm; annual lost production of $49,064/farm; and an annual value of thwarted expansion attempts estimated at $375,459/farm. Smaller‐scale farms were affected to a disproportionately greater negative extent than larger‐scale farms. Per‐farm regulatory costs were, on average, greater for foodfish producers than for producers selling to recreational markets, but per‐kg regulatory costs were greater for those selling to recreational compared to foodfish markets. Regulatory costs constituted 12% of total production and marketing costs on U.S. salmonid farms. The greatest regulatory costs were found to be effluent discharge regulations. The majority of regulatory costs were fixed costs, but regulatory barriers to expansion precluded compensatory adjustments to the business in spite of growing demand for salmonid products. Results of this study show that the on‐farm regulatory cost burden is substantial and has negatively affected the U.S. salmonid industry's ability to respond to strong demand for U.S. farm‐raised salmonid products. Results also suggest that the regulatory system has contributed to the decline in the number of U.S. salmonid farms. While regulations will necessarily have some degree of cost to farms, the magnitude of the on‐farm regulatory cost burden on U.S. salmonid farms calls for concerted efforts to identify and implement innovative regulatory monitoring and compliance frameworks that reduce the on‐farm regulatory cost burden.     

Competition between farmed and wild fish: The French sea bass and sea bream markets

ABSTRACT

Aquaculture is contributing at an increasing rate to the world seafood supply. The interaction between fisheries and aquaculture is especially important for the seafood market where supply of wild and farmed fish can affect price dynamics. We examine market interactions in the French fresh sea bass and sea bream markets. We test for long-term price parity between farmed and wild products for these two species, applying a bivariate cointegration approach to market delineation. We also conduct the Law of One Price (LOP) test between price series. Our data base consists of monthly domestic price series for fish purchased by French households from 2007 to 2012. Our empirical results show that the fresh fish markets for whole wild and farmed sea bream are partially integrated, yet those for whole wild and farmed sea bass are not integrated. The substantially higher price for wild sea bass relative to farmed sea bass suggests that consumers may be more sensitive to seafood production processes when it comes to higher-value species.     

Economies of scale for juvenile production of common snook (Centropomus undecimalis Bloch)

Abstract

Construction and operating costs for three common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) hatcheries in Florida, USA, are illustrated. Hypothetical capacities and targets of the three hatcheries (Scenarios I, II and III respectively) were 615, 000 juveniles (8 ‐ 10 g in weight) for stock enhancement, and 1, 275, 000 and 3, 000, 000 juveniles (1‐g in weight) for commercial grow‐out. Estimated production costs were lower than for many marine finfish species. The 20‐year mean costs per 1, 000 juveniles were estimated to be $324, $215, and $159, for hatcheries I, II, and III respectively, and the initial capital investments were $731, 660, $1, 162, 460, and $1, 896, 030¹, respectively. Major cost items of annual production were labor (22 ‐ 33%), supplies (14 ‐ 20%), fixed costs (15 ‐ 17%), and interest (13 ‐ 15%). The most profitable hatchery was the 3 million 1‐g juvenile hatchery due to the hatchery size effect, with a net present value (NPV) of $1, 760, 000, an internal rate of return (ERR) of 81%, a payback period of 3.6 years, and a profitability index of $2.86 for every dollar invested. Possible cost reductions to increase financial profitability were discussed.     

Particularities of early life stages in temperate freshwater fish species: comparisons with marine species and implications for aquaculture practices

Both egg and larvae are different between freshwater and marine fish species. Freshwater fish species have generally larger and fewer eggs than marine species. Most freshwater fish species have demersal eggs that develop stuck to various substrata, such as plants or gravels, while eggs of most marine fish species develop in the water column. These differences have consequences for both the evaluation of the quality and the incubation of eggs of freshwater fish species compared with marine species. The larvae of many freshwater fish species are larger and more developed at hatching than their marine counterparts: thus, larval feeding regimes could be different and cannibalism may emerge sooner in certain freshwater fish species. The main differences of egg and larvae between freshwater and marine species are highlighted and the possible implications for aquaculture practices are discussed.     

Structural changes and imperfect competition in the supply chain of Japanese fisheries product markets

This study analyzed the existence of imperfect competition, and the time period for which it existed in the supply chain of fisheries products in Japan from 1976 to 2009. An empirical analysis of the imperfect competition using a structural model robust to nonstationary time series revealed that sellers of horse mackerel, Japanese flying squid, and sardines in wholesale markets located in consumption areas had market power before 1993 in upstream markets. In downstream markets, retailers of horse mackerel and sardines had market power not only before 1993 but also after 1992, and retailers of Pacific saury and red seabream had market power before 1993. However, there were a number of periods when the detected imperfect competition was mostly less than that in upstream markets. The findings of this study are consistent with those of a previous study, which pointed out that sellers in wholesale markets lost negotiation power due to the emergence of large retailers, such as supermarkets, who buy directly from producers, trading companies, wholesalers at production sites, etc., especially after 1992. A comparison with another previous study indicates that market power and asymmetric price transmission are closely related.     

Spatial integration of freshwater fish markets in the Northern Baltic Sea area

Freshwater fish species and Baltic salmon (Salmo salar) are important to small-scale fisheries in Finland and Sweden. The formerly local markets for these species have expanded as trade has been opened up to international competition. In this study we use cointegration analysis to test the spatial integration of freshwater fish markets in Finland and between Finland and Sweden. The analysed fish species are salmon, perch (Perca fluviatilis), pikeperch (Sander lucioperca), European whitefish (Goregonus lavaretus) and pike (Exos lucius), and the data covers ex-vessel prices from 1993 or 1995 to 2004. We found that the regional prices in Finland were cointegrated. This indicates that the prices are determined on a single market in Finland. Moreover, the study suggests that Finnish and Swedish markets in Baltic salmon, whitefish, pikeperch and perch were partially integrated, while integration of pike markets could not be found. The political implication is that an essential part of the local small-scale fisheries’ operational environment is determined outside the national borders.     

Marine ornamental aquaculture in the Northeast U.S.: The state of the industry

This study characterized Northeast U.S. businesses breeding and/or selling marine ornamental aquacultured (MOA) livestock, identified cultured species, and assessed sales figures. Identified businesses (n?=?529) in the region consisted partially of retailers (n?=?274), commercial aquaculturists (n?=?42), and public aquaria, research, and educational institutions (n?=?48); the target sectors for inquiry. Of 75 survey respondents, 54% retailed MOA livestock, 19% conducted their own commercial MOA, and 9% conducted MOA as a part of public aquaria, research and/or educational endeavors. Corals generated up to $60,000 in annual sales for retailers and $100,000 for commercial aquaculturists. Commercial aquaculturists generated up to $50,000 in annual sales for MOA fishes and up to $30,000 for MOA non-coral invertebrates. The industry is characterized by market demand, low supply, few commercial aquaculturists, and many public aquaria, research and educational institutions; these attributes offer opportunities for its regional growth and development.     

REMAINING COMPETITIVE AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL: DEVELOPING A LOCAL AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY

Aquaculture industry development has been recognized to be an important step in improving a state's economy. However, local producers are facing significant competition from international, national, and other state producers. In this paper, the focus is on competition among local producers. The objective is to examine how interactions among industry participants determine prices and profitability of individual fish growers. The application involves the trout sector of the West Virginia aquaculture industry. Using a game theoretic framework, the Bertrand oligopoly model, and a combination of data from primary and secondary sources, price competition among producers is modeled under different supply and demand scenarios. Factors such as production volume and cost, location relative to market outlets, supply dependability, and proximity to other competitors and markets influence the profitability and competitive position of individual producers. Results also show that, as expected, the entrance of new growers results in a reduction of the sales price, and creates more favorable conditions for sales outlets. In contrast, the appearance of new sales outlets results in an expected increase in sales prices and producers' profits. Implications are derived for the West Virginia aquaculture industry and for other areas where an abundant natural resource base combined with a rapidly growing aquaculture industry are linked to a growing competition for markets and, hence, producer profitability and survival.     

The Economic Impact of the Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Industry on Chicot County,Arkansas

Abstract

This study analyzed the contribution of the catfish industry to the economy of Chicot County, Arkansas, using an input-output model. The objective was to quantify the economic contribution of the industry in terms of creating new dollars, jobs, and income to the local community. Mail surveys and personal interviews were used to collect data from catfish farmers, processors and other businesses related to the catfish industry. For farmers, the information solicited included production and marketing costs, sales and employment. Out of approximately 85 questionnaires administered to catfish farms, 44 usable questionnaires were obtained for a response rate of 52%. Businesses directly related to the catfish industry provided information on employment and sales and included: processors, seiners and haulers, pond builders, tractor and equipment dealers, and feed bin manufacturers. Other businesses with indirect ties to the catfish industry included: input supply companies, banks, fertilizer and chemical companies, auto shops, electricians, and bookkeeping firms. The survey data were used to modify the IMPLAN database for Chicot County to reflect the 2001 level of catfish production, processing and services available to support the industry. This database was then used to estimate the economic impact of the industry to the county's economy. In 2001, the 85 catfish farmers in the county operated about 7,859 ha (19,500 acres). The farm-gate value of catfish production exceeded $63 million. Employment on catfish farms was approximately 510. In addition, 59 other businesses depended on the catfish industry. Results indicated that total employment created in Chicot County by businesses directly or indirectly involved with the catfish industry was 2,665 jobs. This represented 48% of all employment in Chicot County. Total tax revenue (federal, state, and local taxes) generated from both direct and indirect catfish businesses was $22 million. Combined, the total economic impact of the catfish industry in Chicot County, including direct, indirect and induced effects, was over $384 million. The output multiplier calculated for live catfish production was 6.05. Thus, each $1 of earnings by catfish farms generated $6.05 total economic activity in the Chicot County economy. If current economic difficulties should result in contractions in catfish acreage in Chicot County by 10%, unemployment rates would increase by 2%. This study demonstrates the importance of the catfish industry to the economy of Chicot County.     

7种海洋鱼类的生物能量学模式

根据室内流水实验法，定量研究了黄、渤海生态系统7种鱼类能量收支组分，并建立了相应的生物能量学模式。7种海洋鱼类的生物能量学模式豆著不同，并可分为3类：(1)较低代谢和较高生长，如黑鲳、矛尾鳃虎鱼；(2)较高代谢和较低生长，如欧氏六线鱼和黑鲷；(3)代谢和生长均处于中等水平，如真鲷、红鳍东方纯和鲐。其差异原因可能与这7种海洋鱼类的生态习性不同相关。与淡水肉食性鱼类比较，7种海洋鱼类的代谢能明显偏高，表明海洋鱼类属于高代谢消耗、低生长效率型鱼类。     

An Econometric Estimation of Market Growth for the U.S. Processed Catfish Industry

Inadequate information pertaining to the growth potential of the US. processed catfish industry has been a major factor leading to cyclical periods of excess supply or demand resulting in misal-location of resources and price instability. Better information for industry planners (e.g., producers, processors, government regulatory agencies, and university researchers) on future sales potential would assist in decreasing the misuse of resources. An econometric model of wholesale demand for US. processed catfish was developed to provide estimates of future sales under various scenarios. In addition to the standard variables included in models of demand for food items—price, income, and population—the effects of product life cycle and industry-sponsored generic advertising are quantitatively incorporated. Seasonality of demand and rigidities in marketing and consumer behavior are additional considerations explicitly modeled via monthly dummy variables and a Ner-lovian partial adjustment mechanism, respectively.
Model results indicate the impact of alternative future price scenarios on wholesale processed caffish sales. At the mean real wholesale price of $1.60 (December 1988 dollars) for whole-dressed caffish and a real generic advertising expenditure of one million dollars postulated for 1995, projected aggregate sales are 219.2 million pounds, a 23% increase over 1989 sales. Projected 1995 wholesale sales are very sensitive to price with alternative price postulations of $1.40 and $1.80 resulting in projected sales of 252.3 and 193.6 million processed pounds, respectively. An estimated 7% average increase in wholesale sales of catfish was attributed to the industry-sponsored generic advertising campaign. Model projection estimates and impacts are posed as a quantitative source of information to be used with other information in resource allocation issues faced by industry decision makers.