Aquatic loans are defined as those supporting the production or 

 harvesting of species under controlled conditions, primarily the 

 fisheries industry. FCA considers aquaculture under controlled 

 conditions to be a form of agriculture. Since banks and 

 associations do not segregate loans for aquaculture from 

 agricultural loans in their financial reports, it is currently 

 difficult to determine what proportion of the loans are made to 

 those engaged in aquaculture. However, it is known that loans have 

 been made to catfish farmers in Arkansas, Mississippi, and other 

 Southern States. Several small oyster and clam operations have 

 also been financed in the Northwest and the Middle Atlantic coastal 

 areas. 



Based on observations made from the system's exposure to aquatic 

 lending, increased demand and a potentially small supply of capture 

 fishery products are causing increased prices at the consumer 

 level. The Farm Credit System will make funds available to 

 deserving aquacultural production applicants on the same basis as 

 agricultural and marine fishery (vessel) loans. 



National Science Foundation 



NSF supports a limited number of projects directly related to 

 aquaculture through its basic science programs and its Small 

 Business Innovation Research Program. Total funds for these 

 projects were estimated to be about $250,000 in FY 1982. In 

 addition to the activities directly related to aquaculture, NSF 

 also supports a number of basic research projects on marine and 

 freshwater species which provide an important contribution for 

 aquaculture research and development. 



Small Business Administration ,•: 



SBA makes guaranteed, immediate participation, and direct loans to 

 aquaculture operators. SBA loans may be used for purchase and 

 improvement of land or buildings, construction, machinery and 

 equipment, operating expenses, and refinancing of debts. SBA also 

 provides disaster loans in authorized areas. Since SBA does not 

 separate its loan funds according to enterprise, there are no means 

 to assess current levels of aquaculture loans. 



Tennessee Valley Authority 



In 1979, TVA initiated a 5-year aquaculture plan involving the use 

 of waste heat from the Gallatin Steam Plant in Gallatin, Tennessee. 

 The Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology Branch, Office of Natural 

 Resources, has responsibility for this project, but coordination 



ith other TVA divisions provides the expertise necessary to solve 

 problems that arise as work progresses. 



w 



The Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology Branch also handles TVA's 

 aquaculture technical assistance program. This program involves 

 disease diagnosis and recommended treatment, advice on developing 



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