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Abstract
The U.S. oyster supply has experienced a substantial change in
its composition. Since 1950 total'oyster imports have more. than
tripled, with most of this increase coming from Japan. Imports now
account for 23 percent of total U.S. supply. The Pacific Coast
receives nearly 60 percent of all U.S. imports and the Atlantic and
Gulf Coasts receive approximately 18 percent each.
The U.S. oyster industry has been beset by a number of problems.
These problems include an antiquated regulatory structure, competition
for the resource base, pollution, MSX disease, stagnant technology,
declining consumption and imports. As a result the trend in annual
harvests has shown a considerable decrease since 1950, particularly
in middle Atlantic States where it decreased from 18 to 2 million
pounds in only 19 years. Harvesting techniques and ownership patterns
are also examined and decreased use of dredges and private oyster
grounds are noted.
All of these problems affecting the oyster industry have affected
profits. To fully understand the role of imports in their effect on
profits other determinants of profitability must also be measured. Independent of these other problems, however, imports are shown
to have had a measurable impact in some instances in the Gulf and the
Pacific region.