Quentin Fong

International shark fin markets and shark management: an integrated market preference–cohort analysis of the blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus)

Abstract The increasing demand for shark fins in Asia, and the publicity resulting from finning and discarding live sharks, has generated concern regarding the sustainability of the worlds shark populations. These concerns can be attributed to the sharks life history, which is characterized by a pattern of slow growth, late maturity, few offspring, and long life, making populations vulnerable to overexploitation. Once overexploited, shark stocks will be slow to recover due to these constraints. Despite an increase in consumption and trade of shark fins and other shark products, and the vulnerability of shark populations once overexploited, little effort has been expended to understand the biology and economics of sharks and shark fisheries until recently. This study adds to the understanding of linkages between shark product markets, specifically shark fins, and the biology of shark populations by explicitly incorporating multi-attribute market information into bioeconomic modeling. Results from conjoint analysis of the Hong Kong dried, processed end-user markets is incorporated into a blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) cohort model to estimate the optimal harvest size and age that maximize economic value. Results show that optimal harvest sizes and ages for all mortality and discount factor scenarios are greater than the maturation sizes and ages for both male and female blacktip. Policy implications for this study are also discussed.

ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF SMALL-SCALE BLACK-LIPPED PEARL OYSTER (PINCTADA MARGARETIFERA) PEARL FARMING IN THE CENTRAL PACIFIC

ABSTRACT This work provides an analysis of the economic feasibility of one of many small-scale aquaculture operations being considered, black pearl oyster farms, as one type of supplemental economic activity for outer island communities in the Central Pacific. Specifically, projections of financial performance of a small-scale 25,000 seeded pearl oyster farm using the Tahitian long-line method are being conducted. Estimates of initial capital investment and annual operating costs are being formulated, an annual cash flow and enterprise budget are being developed. Results show that initial capital investment is

Development of a Method to Produce Freeze‐Dried Cubes from 3 Pacific Salmon Species

202,076. Annual operating expenses are

Rating Alaska Salmon Protein Concentrate in China

293,726 during full operation. The largest costs contributing to annual operating expenses are seeding (46%), labor including farm owners opportunity cost (24%), and depreciation (9%). The base model presented in this work suggests profitability over a 20-year horizon. Net returns over a 20-year farm horizon based on an 8% discount rate indicate a positive NPV of

Marketing Extension and Outreach in Sinaloa, Mexico: A Preliminary Analysis of Preferences for Oysters

102945. Sensitivity analysis on profit due to the variability of market price, survival, and cost of seed and other inputs are conducted and results presented.

Chinese consumers’ willingness to pay for green- and eco-labeled seafood

Freeze-dried boneless skinless cubes of pink (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka), and chum (Oncorhynchus keta) salmon were prepared and physical properties evaluated. To minimize freeze-drying time, the kinetics of dehydration and processing yields were investigated. The physical characteristics of the final product including bulk density, shrinkage, hardness, color, and rehydration kinetics were determined. Results showed that freeze-dried salmon cubes from each of the 3 Pacific salmon species can be produced with a moisture content of less that 10% and a(w) less 0.4 and freeze-drying time of 9 h. Processing yields ranged from 26% to 28.4%, depending on fish species. Shrinkage was less than 12% and rehydration of freeze-dried cubes was rapid. The value-added products developed have the potential to be utilized as ingredients for ready-to-eat soups, as snack food, salad topping, and baby finger-food.

Quality of Alaskan Maricultured Oysters (Crassostrea gigas): A One-Year Survey

Abstract Intense market competition resulting from the worldwide production of farmed salmon has led to a financial disaster for the Alaska wild salmon capture industry. The need to develop new products and markets for Alaska salmon products is paramount. This study reports on a project to develop an Alaskan salmon protein concentrate derived from Alaskan pink and chum salmon. The relative nutritional characteristics of the salmon protein concentrate made from pink and chum salmon compare favorably to that produced from Chinese aquacultured domestically produced grass carp. Personal surveys of Chinese consumers were conducted in five Chinese cities/regions and survey results indicate a substantial market potential for this product in China.

Economic feasibility of producing oysters using a small-scale Hawaiian fishpond model

Shrimp mariculture, the leading form of aquaculture for the Pacific coast of Mexico is facing catastrophic losses due to disease and falling prices. Previous work conducted by a multi-institutional, international team since 1997 has built a solid foundation for diversification ofaquaculture in Pacific Mexico emphasizing the use of native species, particularly those low on the food chain and with low culture technology requirements. Among the leading candidates are bivalves, which are currently cultured and fished extensively along the Gulf of California Coast, with much of the production attributed to wild capture fisheries. Great potential exists, however, to expand current aquaculture production through strengthening existing operations, either by developing new markets or increasing sales in current ones according to consumer preferences.