Quote:
Originally Posted by capt coonassty
I think markets should dictate prices. With that being said we should restrict imported shrimp.
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Having just completed the study of Thomas Sowell's,
Basic Economics, I don't think I can get behind protectionist import policies. Capitalism benefits both producers and consumers if government would get out of the way and let it work. I don't buy the stuff personally, but I appreciate the availability of imported (mostly farmed) seafood at the grocery stores, and I recognize that its presence leaves more local seafood (and bait) for my family and at more competitive prices.
Markets should dictate prices, but the prices should be based on reasonable production costs, not production costs that are inflated due to irrational, unsubstantiated fears that bycatch is harming resources in an unsustainable way.
The more important issue is separation of powers. The Feds need to enforce federal rules without strong arming state agencies into acting like federal thugs. DO WE REALLY WANT LDWF AGENTS ENFORCING ALL FEDERAL FISHING RULES (including red snapper)?