APPENDIX III APPENDIX III 
has grown. Although some processors are experimenting with 
and investing in mechanical equipment, most have relatively 
small operations and with large fluctuations in resource 
supply there is a reluctance to make the necessary research 
and development investments. Because of the relatively short 
refrigerated shelf life of fresh picked crabmeat, further 
processing, such as freezing, pasteurizing, or canning is 
required if the meat is to be stored for later sale. The 
recent trend has been to pasteurize, which maintains flavor, 
texture, color, and wholesomeness for a long time. 
On the Pacific coast, we found no product development 
or processing obstacles that hindered growth and development 
of the crab fishery. 
Market development 
Resource fluctuations and processing difficulties limit 
growth and development of blue crab markets. Consumers, when 
faced with a product that is not readily available, will in 
most instances seek substitutes. 
Competition from Japanese and Taiwan crabmeat imports, 
both canned and frozen, is a major problem for the blue crab 
industry. Some of the minced crab from Japan is also com- 
petitive with certain blue crab products. 
On the Pacific coast, the lack of proper handling and 
storage, education, and training by wholesalers and retailers 
result in inferior products being marketed. Crab processors 
stated that wholesalers and retailers are not insuring that 
frozen crab products are kept frozen until purchased or are 
refreezing thawed crab resulting in an unsatisfactory prod- 
uct. The crab processors felt that if properly maintained 
products reached the consumer, product demand would increase, 
particularly in the areas of the United States where frozen 
products comprise the total crab consumption. 
EFFECTS OF A 200-MILE LIMIT 
ON THE FISHERY 
The Atlantic and gulf blue crab fishery is totally 
within State jurisdiction and thus is not affected by the 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. A 200-mile 
fishing zone should have little effect upon the Pacific crab 
fishery as most foreign fishing has been curtailed. 
Wi 
