The Impact of Groundfish Imports on the United States Fishing Industry: An Empirical Analysis

This paper presents an economic analysis of the issue of United States-Canadian groundfish trade. Using an econometric model the parameters of consumer demand for United States domestic and imported groundfish products are estimated. The model is then used to evaluate the potential impact of countervailing duties leveled against imported fish products. It is found that while such duties would likely increase consumer prices for fish in the United States the fisherman's prices would not increase proportionately. The net protective effect to the United States harvesting sector of such tariffs thus seems minimal.