APPENDIX III APPENDIX III 
On the Pacific coast, oyster processing is laborious 
and an automatic oyster shucker is needed. 
The oyster industry has been slow to introduce new 
products. The industry is made up of many small processors 
who claim that they are undergoing a cost-price squeeze 
which prevents them from accumulating the capital needed to 
invest in product development and new processing techniques. 
Market development 
On the Atlantic coast reduced oyster resources have 
hindered prospects for market development. Enhancement of 
oyster grounds could improve resource availability; however, 
with many small units in the industry and limited State 
funding, there is a lack of capital available to substan- 
tially increase investment in improvements, promotional 
activities, product development, and mechanical processing 
equipment. Industry members are independent and are 
reluctant to join together in cooperative activities. 
In the gulf, perishability of the oyster and its 
unfamiliarity outside coastal areas are the main reasons 
for the decline in oyster per capita consumption. 
While oysters sell as a speciality item, half shell 
and fresh-shucked oysters do not fit the fast food merchan- 
dising needs of the modern restaurant, nor the convenience 
requirements of the modern household. 
The Pacific coast oystermen do not have the capacity 
to promote their product. A cooperative effort is needed 
that would provide improved distribution and marketing sys- 
tems. 
The future growth and development of the Pacific 
coast oyster industry may be jeopardized by Korean imports. 
From 1972 to 1973, U.S. imports of Korean oysters increased 
60 percent. The current bilateral fishing agreement with 
Korea allows importation of canned, smoked, steamed, boiled, 
and frozen oysters. Fresh-shucked and live oysters are 
not permitted for importation because of a shellfish 
disease. When this problem is resolved, the Republic of 
Korea may be allowed to export fresh, shucked, and live 
oysters to the United States. According to an NMFS official, 
west coast oystermen may not be able to compete with the 
low Korean prices. 
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