Since 1990, Dr. Benedict C. Posadas has consistently developed and maintained the Mississippi State University, Coastal Research and Extension Center’s economic research and extension programs with an emphasis on the following major areas.
The current R and E projects conducted by Dr. Posadas are best described at https://www.msstate.edu/our-people/2019/12/ben-posadas.
A video presentation of Dr. Posadas' 2020 MSU-CREC marine fisheries economic research and extension projects can be viewed at https://youtu.be/kjsXugd1yPU.
YouTube playlist on Marine Fisheries Economics Outreach. MFEO provides households, businesses, organizations, communities, and government agencies with basic and advanced tools and information involving relevant marine fisheries economic issues in coastal areas, the entire state, the Gulf of Mexico region, and beyond. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB0D9oT09EZIg8fXXTWpU9iNFpWqfXJMt
MARINE FISHERIES ECONOMICS
Socioeconomic Profiles of Mississippi Commercial Shrimpers - 2022-2023:
- Recently, Dr. Posadas was asked by the state fisheries agency to assist in their current programming efforts.
- During a recent meeting with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MS-DMR), it was discussed that there is a need to develop socio-economic profiles of Mississippi commercial shrimpers.
- These tools are crucial in determining the most desirable options to assist fishermen facing falling dockside prices and rising fuel prices and allocating federal disaster assistance.
- It was further discussed that the updated estimates of the economic contributions of the Mississippi seafood industry by major species are crucial information in managing the state marine fisheries sector.
- Previous works by Dr. Posadas on Mississippi marine fisheries are posted on the MSU-CREC website and are readily available for MS-DMR leadership and staff. http://www.coastal.msstate.edu/publications-mississippi-department-marine-resources.
Economic Impacts of the Global COVID-19 Pandemic - 2020-2023:
- The COVID-19 pandemic was declared a national emergency in the United States on March 13, 2020. With the severe disruptions in seafood sales to eating and dining places, producers must develop ways to sell their products directly to consumers.
- US consumers spent an estimated $102.2 billion on fishery products in 2017, including $69.6 billion at restaurants and other food service venues and $32.5 billion at retail. US restaurants had sales of $450 billion during the 12 months ending in January.
- Just over 48 percent of this is from off-premise dining, such as takeout or delivery. Restaurants will lose at least one-third of the total restaurant sales compared to 2019.
- Dr. Posadas developed and estimated economic models to measure the direct economic impacts of the pandemic on fisheries landings, dockside values, and dockside, wholesale and retail prices.
- YouTube link to direct impacts of COVID-19 presentations - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB0D9oT09EZIQGjeX6QSBg-Lk5QQfeJ6m.
Economic Impacts of Harmful Coastal Events – 2011-2022:
- Long-term data were compiled by Dr. Posadas to develop economic recovery models (ERM) for oyster harvesting.
- The ERM explains the individual and joint effects of the recent natural and technological disasters, output and input markets, environmental conditions, and regulatory and mana management strategies on the levels of commercial oyster harvests and dockside values.
- An initial version of the ERM model was provided to the MS Department of Marine Resources to support a federal fisheries disaster declaration in 2011.
- The state of MS received almost $11 million in federal disaster assistance to recover its oyster and crab fisheries.
- Dr. Posadas's disaster economics publications and presentations are listed at http://www.coastal.msstate.edu/publications-natural-technical-disasters and http://www.coastal.msstate.edu/disaster-presentations.
Economic Impacts of Marine Debris – 2018-2023 https://gomos.msstate.edu/Marine-debris.html
- Reducing marine debris in the commercial fishery will enhance economic opportunities in coastal fishing counties.
- Commercial fishing generated total economic impacts of $107 million and created almost 2,000 jobs in Mississippi.
- This economic analysis aims to assess the economic impacts of marine debris on commercial fishing. Specifically, it aims to achieve the following objectives.
- First, construct technical characteristics of marine debris caught by commercial fishing vessels/boats.
- Second, compile damages to commercial fishing vessels/boats, gear, and costs of removing and disposing of marine debris.
- Third, compile lost fishing time, reduced catches, or foregone sales associated with marine debris.
- Finally, estimate economic impacts on commercial fishing associated with marine debris.
Economic Contributions of the Mississippi Seafood Industry – 1990-2023: http://coastal.msstate.edu/economic-impact-seafood
- Dr. Posadas provided an estimate of the annual economic contribution of the state seafood industry by major species: shrimp, oysters, crabs, and fish.
- Mississippi marine regulatory agencies needed updated estimates of the economic contributions of the seafood industry to manage state marine resources effectively.
- State regulatory agencies expressed a more vital need for additional information on the economic contributions of the seafood industry by sector and species landed, processed, distributed, and consumed in Mississippi.
- At a recent Producer Advisory Council Meeting, the American Shrimp Processors Association requested updated estimates for the seafood industry by species.
