The waters off India and other overseas countries appear to 

 have substantial and relatively little-exploited resources. Before these 

 distant fisheries can be properly assessed as potential sources of supply 

 it will be necessary to determine whether the shrimp are of a quality and 

 can be made available at a price acceptable to the American consuner. 



It is unrealistic to discuss in an academic fashion the possi- 

 bilities of raising imports without reference to the socio-economic frame- 

 work of the segment of the country specifically affected. A consensus 

 with respect to the import question will be difficult to obtain because 

 of the different complexion of the industry in the various states. There 

 may even be some disagreement between different interest groups within a 

 local area. Thus, fishermen, processors, and distributors may be inclined 

 to differ with each other on the import policy that should be followed 

 by this country. As long as consumer demand hoids up, the fisherman has 

 little reason to be alarmed over the trend in imports. As long as imports 

 contribute to the stabilization of prices and prevent the precipitous in- 

 flux of operators desiring to profit from temporary scarcities, the 

 fisherman has reason to welcome imports. In a declining market, however, 

 the fisherman will worry about "cheapw foreign competition. Similarly, 

 the attitude of processors and wholesalers will change in accordance with 

 the manner in which changing economic conditions affect their interests. 

 Since no duty has ever been devised which was successful in satisfying 

 everybody concerned, a long-range policy with respect to tariffs on shrinp 

 products cannot be charted. In a country where democratic processes pre- 

 vail, a tariff policy should take cognizance of the interests of all 

 parties. Because of their large number, consxaners pixjbably have a greater 

 right to have their interests protected by the Government than anyone 

 else. At present shrimp comes in duty-free whether imported as a frozen 

 headless, canned, or otherwise processed product. It is not difficvilt, 

 however, to think of circvonstances when temporary gluts or other economic 

 conditions in a segment of the industry would make the imposition of a 

 tariff seem desirable. 



In the past, attempts to overcome shortages of supply have 

 added to the problems of the fisherman. Wherever a year-round operation 

 replaced a previously seasonal fishery, the fisherman had to adapt himself 

 to the new situation by following supply areas, becoming in a sense a 

 migratory worker with the attendant disadvantages of such a type of 

 existence. The need to invest in larger craft, better quality gear, and 

 more specialized and costly equipment, created additional problems. As 

 long as the boats were small. Investment in fixed assets was fairly 

 moderate and the industry was controlled by an easily variable cost 

 pattern. It was possible to adjust qxiickly to changes in market price. 

 As fixed costs rose some of the flexibility was lost, and fishing operations 

 became more vulnerable to fluctuations in the market. The fisherman who 

 goes to the Can^jeche groiinds must not only make sure he catches enough 

 shrinip to make his trip worthwhile but must have certain assurances that 



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