by creating lengthy and uncertain permit processes, adding to costs 

 and delaying operations. For example, a report on the regulatory 

 process in California indicated that up to 42 Federal, State, and 

 local agency permits and licenses would be involved in the 

 activities of a single aquaculture venture. Although many of these 

 restrictions may be necessary, they need to be examined critically 

 to avoid economically unjustified costs being imposed on aquaculture 

 enterprises . 



Fluctuating resource costs for land, water, and energy are periodic 

 barriers to the development of aquaculture. It is hard to 

 generalize how these costs will affect this industry as compared 

 with their impact on other protein sources. 



Naturally, the early stages of any industry will have higher costs 

 than later stages, when the industry begins to adopt more efficient 

 processes. With regard to aquaculture, this indicates the 

 importance of government investment in aquaculture research, with 

 its potential high-value, long-term payoff. 



Inadequate Transfer of Information and Technical Assistance 



Much of the technical information on aquaculture is potentially 

 available to established or potential fish farmers from National 

 and international sources and State and university advisory and 

 Cooperative Extension Services. However, many who need this 

 information and assistance are not aware of its existence or how it 

 may be obtained. Proven educational and technical assistance 

 delivery systems are in place, but their effectiveness could be 

 significantly expanded by employment of more trained aqua- 

 culturists. 



Workshops, short courses, clinics, demonstrations, publications, 

 and on-site technical assistance are proven ways to get technical 

 information to those who need it. Improvement and expansion of 

 existing education and technical assistance delivery systems are 

 needed to insure the orderly establishment and growth of successful 

 aquaculture enterprises. 



Multiple-Use Conflicts 



Many activities and uses have already established claims to areas 

 where aquaculture might develop. The competing activities are 

 particularly acute in coastal areas and include fisheries, 

 coastline residential and industrial development, aquatic 

 recreation, and water-borne commerce. These uses interfere with 

 the development of aquaculture by creating pressures to prevent the 

 introduction of structures such as dikes, nets, pens, rafts, lines, 

 and buoys . 



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