Marine Economics

Benedict C. Posadas, Ph.D.
Associate Extension and Research Professor of Economics
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Outreach Program
Coastal Research & Extension Center, Mississippi State University
1815 Popps Ferry Road, Biloxi, MS, USA 39532
Telephone: 228-546-1024; Email: ben.posadas@msstate.edu

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS AND LABOR MANAGEMENT IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL HORTICULTURE INDUSTRY

  1. Investigate labor management practices and mechanization in the nursery and greenhouse industry.
  2. Assess the economic impacts of research and consumer preferences on vegetable, specialty crops, and fruit production. 

SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT OF AQUATIC ANIMAL DISEASES

  1. Develop a methodology for assessing the socioeconomic impacts of aquatic animal diseases. 
  2. Pilot-test the assessment methodology in aquatic animal outbreaks in any major producing state, region, country or continent.

SEAFOOD, AQUACULTURE AND HORTICULTURE EMPLOYMENT AND WAGES

  1. Develop a methodology for assessing the economic resiliency of marine industries.  
  2. Compile employment and wages databases in the seafood, aquaculture, and horticulture industries.

GULF SEAFOOD AND AQUACULTURE PRICE ANALYSIS 

  1. Monitor monthly ex-vessel and wholesale prices of shrimp products.
  2. Monitor monthly wholesale prices of aquaculture products.

MARINE AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS 

  1. Develop economic models for commercial marine finfish and shellfish culture systems. 
  2. Compile aquaculture production and input usage databases.    

ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF THE NATURAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL DISASTERS

  1. Compile multi-year economic databases of marine industries and coastal counties. 
  2. Develop economic recovery models of marine industries and coastal counties. 

HORTICULTURE AND MARINE ECONOMICS OUTREACH  

  1. Provide specific clientele groups with basic and advanced analysis of economic issues in coastal areas, state, Gulf and beyond.
  2. Timely conduct of economic research on horticultural, marine, and coastal-related issues was the key to a successful extension program.  
  3. Presentations of results were conducted at producers meetings, scientific conferences, and industry workshops.
  4. The use of the Internet and social media networks played a vital complementary function in extension programming.   

MISSISSIPPI MARKETMAKER OUTREACH PROGRAM 

  1. Promote your food business by creating a business profile and updating it regularly as additional information about your business becomes available at https://ms.foodmarketmaker.com/  
  2. The MarketMaker training workshop is available upon request by a group of 6-12 food producers, extension agents, state regulatory agency personnel, and school teachers. Email Dr. Ben Posadas for details at ben.posadas@msstate.edu.  

DR. POSADAS NEEDS YOUR HELP

  1. I truly appreciate your four-minute assessment of the economic impact of my research and extension program at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/hortmarine.