Robert L. Degner

The U.S. Wholesale Market for Marine Ornamentals

The market for marine ornamentals encompasses all live marine species (fish and invertebrates) destined for the aquarium trade. In 1998, U.S. imports and exports were valued at approximately US

MARKET PREFERENCES TOWARD FARM-RAISED STURGEON IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES: A CONJOINT ANALYSIS

1.5 billion at the border (all dollar values cited in this paper are

Foreign Competition and Trade Policy for the Florida Lime Industry

US). In Florida, cultured freshwater and collected saltwater species accounted for

Economic profile of Florida's marine life industry

70 million and

Aquaculture and marketing of the Florida Bay Scallop in Crystal River, Florida

4 million, respectively, in annual dockside revenue. To help explain Floridas marine landings and provide suggestions for future resource management and market campaigns that reflect the perceptions of the industry, a survey of wholesalers was initiated in 1999. Preliminary results indicate that there are several intermediate wholesale markets. Florida firms are closer to the supply as many also collect. Wholesalers in other states handle more freshwater product, are larger, and tend to import a larger share of their inventory. Consolidation is expected to continue, but niche markets for eco-friendly firms are expected to grow. In Florida, marketing strategies should focus on the observed higher survival rates and increasing supply of the popular invertebrate species. Many wholesalers are concerned about additional regulations that could reduce the number of collectors and thereby increase supply variability, a noted weakness of the Florida industry.

Exploring The Supply Of Safer Foods: A Case Study Of Oyster Depuration In Dixie And Levy Counties, Florida

Finfish culturists face relatively low profit margins due to high investment and production costs, prompting farmers to seek higher value species. Sturgeon is viewed as an excellent candidate for culture due to its high quality meat, high value caviar, fast growth rate, excellent feed conversion and hardiness, although little is known concerning buyer demand for sturgeon products. This study employed a mail survey of southeastern U.S. seafood restaurants and retailers, including a conjoint analysis experiment to quantify the utility value and relative importance of key farmer-controllable sturgeon product features. Almost 90% of respondents were not familiar with sturgeon, suggesting the need for industry educational programs. Twenty-one percent of restaurants and 31% of retailers would buy sturgeon products if they were readily available. Conjoint results indicate that a fresh sturgeon fillet is strongly preferred by both market segments; price and seasonal availability are relatively unimportant, especially for seafood restaurants.

International trade in live, ornamental "fish" in the US & Florida

ports began in the mid-1970s and has focused on their potentially adverse effect on Florida prices and production. In order to evaluate the potential threat of foreign competition on Floridas lime industry and the trade policy alternatives, quantitative estimates are needed of the impact of imports on the industry. The purpose of this paper is to estimate the effects of import competition and alternative trade policies on the Florida lime industry (Andrew, DeBoon, McPherson; Freebairn and Rausser; Novakovic and Thompson; Salathe, Dobson, Peterson). The methodology involves specifying and estimating an econometric model of the Florida lime and U.S. trade sectors. A set of reduced-form equations is derived from the simultaneous equation model. The estimated multipliers are used to measure the impacts of alternative U.S. tariff and quota policies on lime imports, Florida lime production, and prices.