seasons and other protective measures, fishing results are better, 

 handling costs lower, and financial returns more favorable. At the same 

 time the consumer is assured of a more abundant supply at a lower cost, 



V/here signs of danger appear, the State conservation agency 

 has the authority, and the obligation, to step in to protect not only 

 the fishery but also the economic interest of the fishermen as a group 

 against the acts of unwise individuals. 



State conservation agencies commonly impose closed seasons 



and regulations with respect to minimum mesh sizes of fishing nets and 



minimum size of species that can be taken, for the purpose of protecting 

 fishery resources. 



Limitation of catch is the most direct, precise, flexible, and 

 effective method of control available to stabilize fishing intensity. 

 It is founded on a share-the-viork policy and is therefore basically in- 

 efficient. Moreover, direct catch controls are costly to operate because 

 of enforcement difficulties. 



An alternative way of achieving control over supply has been 

 suggested through limitation of operating units. This method greatly 

 eases the enforcement biorden. Proponents of licensing limitations claim 

 that the end result attained is the same as under direct catch limitation 

 but with the advantages of savings in time and effort. 



State Regulatory Povjers 



Regulation of the fisheries of the continental United States 

 is under the jurisdiction of the individual States, except as othenffise 

 provided in treaties, conventions, and other international agreements, 

 and except in matters relating to interstate comraerce, navigable streams, 

 etc. The Federal Government has jurisdiction of the Alaska fisheries, 

 but the only regulation directly relating to the shrimp fishery is a 

 closed season in specified fishing areas. The laws, rules, and regulations 

 applicable to the shrimp fishery generally are briefly outlined below. 



Each of the shrimp-producing States issue licenses for, or 

 impose taxes on, shrimp fishing and processing operations. Some of these 

 are applicable to the fisheries of the State as a whole j others apply 

 only to shrimp. In some States standard license fees are applicable to 

 fishermen, processors, dealers, and vessels without regard to citizen- 

 ship or nationality; in other States a distinction is made between resident- 

 citizens, nonresidents, and aliens. 



Every shrimp -producing State requires vessels to obtain licenses 

 before engaging in the fisheries; however, not all of them require com- 

 mercial fishermen and fishing gear to be licensed. All of the States 

 license dealers and pi'ocesoors, ajid a few of them levy severance taxes, 

 shipping taxes, etc, on shrimp. 



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