need. Aquaculturists have cited certain regulations, such as I 



health and sanitation, which are essential to their enterprises and 



should be kept stringent. Conversely, regulatory inconsistencies, 



overlaps, unnecessarily restrictive applications, and the sheer 



magnitude and complexity of regulations all combine to create real 



or perceived barriers to commercial aquaculture ventures. 



Often, it is not the regulations themselves which constitute a 

 major hindrance to aquaculture development but rather the time 

 required for the permit or certification process, the undefined or 

 indistinct jurisdictional roles of regulatory agencies, and 

 inadequate information on what regulations apply in specific 

 situations. 



After case studies were completed on 12 aquaculture operations, the 

 following Federal regulatory program areas were identified as being 

 most commonly encountered: i 



o Federal environmental regulations 



-Permits for dredging, filling, and using offshore structures j 



-NPDES permits ' 



o Drug and chemical registration procedures 



o Fish and shellfish health programs 



o Regulations concerning the importation and interstate 

 shipment of plants and animals 



The JSA will undertake the following activities to help solve these 

 problems : 



o Make available the following documents: 



A literature review of the regulatory constraints on 



aquaculture 



A directory of Federal regulations affecting the 



development and operation of commercial aquaculture 



A directory of State regulations affecting the 



development and operation of commercial aquaculture (32 



States) 



Case studies of 12 commercial aquaculture operations 



o Work with industry and appropriate regulatory agencies to 

 identify and review problems associated with particular 

 regulations and to eliminate the hindrance or to streamline 

 the regulatory process 



o Publish and disseminate Federal permit compliance guides 

 specifically tailored to the needs of aquaculturists 



o Promote multiagency workshops and discussions to devise new 

 strategies for more efficient drug registration efforts 



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