South Carolina Shrimp Industry Partnership
and the
South Carolina Shrimp Fishery Assistance Project

            
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Proposal: Introduction

The United States Congress has appropriated approximately $5.6 million to assist the South Carolina shrimp industry in 2003. The first appropriation is ~$2.0 million in economic and marketing assistance for South Carolina shrimp fishermen ($1,500,000 less the NMFS recission of 0.65% or $1,482,100 for "South Carolina Shrimper Assistance" and $500,000 less the NMFS recission of 0.65% or $494,100 for "South Carolina Seafood Marketing”) within the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) appropriation. The second is the South Carolina share ($3,658,916.00) of $17.5 million dollars appropriated in the Omnibus Bill [PL 108-7, Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003. Section 501(d)(1) Fisheries Disasters] for shrimp fishery in the South Atlantic region (South Carolina, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina).

The South Carolina shrimp industry has engaged in collaborative planning facilitated by Clemson Extension and involving more than thirty people representing the South Carolina Shrimpers Association, the South Carolina Seafood Alliance, the Southern Shrimp Alliance, individual fishermen, shrimp aquaculturists, the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, Clemson University, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources - Marine Resources Division, the South Carolina Department of Commerce, NOAA Hollings Marine Laboratory, and three regional Councils of Government. Through that process, the SC Shrimp industry specified the short-term need to provide immediate economic assistance to South Carolina shrimpers.

In addition, the industry will focus on longer approaches consistent with the language contained in the appropriation specifying the uses of funds for purposes including (a) personal assistance, (b) small business assistance, (c) domestic product marketing and promotion, and (d) state seafood testing programs. However, additional elements are necessary to create a sustainable shrimp industry in South Carolina, the South Atlantic and the nation. Thus, the SC industry seeks to create a comprehensive risk management program to address vessel insurance, crop insurance, risk management in business planning and other elements beyond emergency assistance needs. The industry also plans to address infrastructure needs to support a domestic marketing strategy. This strategy will include the exploration of the feasibility of establishing a regional shrimp processing facility(ies), improving the profitability of direct marketing by small docks to local retail outlets, and establishing “traditional use” local zoning ordinances to protect industry access to increasingly valuable and scarce local docking facilities. Quality assurance was identified in the planning process as one of the most important elements in a sustainable shrimp industry. Standards of quality at each stage of production (boat to dock, dock to retail outlet or processor, processor to retailer, retailer to consumer) are a core element of a domestic marketing program. Clemson University will supply experts who will assist the industry in researching each option, will provide research to give the industry a sound basis for decision-making in developing a product business and economic development plans. Those experts also will evaluate the economic feasibility of the industry’s strategic approaches. An on-the-ground project coordinator will be essential both to communication among the parties and to integration of the project’s diverse activities.

The SC Shrimp industry has agreed that Clemson University will assume responsibility for administration of these appropriated funds. Clemson is an independent, credible entity with accounting and auditing experience and available staff resources. As evidence of its commitment to the economic success of the SC shrimp industry, Clemson University agrees to undertake this responsibility without charging administrative overhead (indirect costs). Costs will be partially cost-shared by Clemson University because of the alignment of this program with the mission of Clemson Public Service Activities. The allowable indirect cost on the regional appropriation is restricted to 5%. Clemson also waives this indirect as a part of its mission requirements.

Questions or  comments: shrimp@clemson.edu
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