On an overall basis United States landings were slightly- 

 larger in 195U than in 1953. The maintenance of production on the high 

 level of the preceding year served only to reinforce the downward trend 

 in prices since dealers found it impossible to dispose of record inven- 

 tories. The upward movement in ex -vessel prices had to await wholesale 

 price improvement resulting from a low priced sell-off of cold storage 

 holdings. By that time the discouraging experience of boat operators 

 during the period of market depression showed its effect on potential 

 investors in new boats. This is illustrated by new vessel registrations 

 which in 1955 had fallen 61 percent from the preceding year. 



SUMMING UP AND SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS 



Production Problems 



The preceding chapters of this report outline some of the 

 major problems of the shrimp industry and cover aspects of production, 

 processing, marketing, and consumption. The reader interested in an 

 analysis of the status of the fisheries in Continental Latin America 

 may consult Special Scieatific Report — Fisheries No. 235. Information 

 relating to world production can be obtained in Special Scientific 

 Report — Fisheries No. 25ii entitled Foreign Shrimp Fisheries Other Than 

 Central and South America . 



Among the major problems of the fishery pointed up in the 

 course of this survey are those related to equipment and personnel 

 employed in fishing operations. Vessel design and construction should 

 conform to standards evolved through the application of up-to-date 

 techniques. 



As far as inshore operations are concerned, it appears that the 

 smaller, conventional shrimping vessels (50 feet in length or less), and 

 the various types of motor boats are suitable in design for the work in 

 which they are employed. The use of small, light-weight Diesel engines 

 is economical since the relatively high initial costs (compared to gasoline 

 engines) would be more than balanced after a short period by savings in 

 operation. The inshore vessels seldom leave the vicinity of the home 

 port and can be manned by local personnel who, in general, are experi- 

 enced and reliable. The use of vessels over $0 feet in length in the 

 inshore fisheries is unwarranted and may be a source of destruction to 

 the resources. 



Recommendations for improvements in vessel design, construction 

 and operation were made by specialists working under contract to the 

 United States Fish and Wildlife Service. These recommendations are 

 summarized in the following paragraphs of this section on production 

 problems . 



153 



