these comments, there appears to be a much simpler and fairer 

 way to implement an aquaculture disaster assistance program. 



As the bill moves forward toward markup, I urge the committee 

 to amend the disaster assistance authorization for nonprogram 

 crops that appears in section 2244 of the 1990 Farm Bill by adding 

 aquaculture to the list of eligible crops covered under the disaster 

 program. This approach is preferable to the proposal contained in 

 S. 1288 as introduced. And this has come about with some discus- 

 sion with the experts. 



Mr. Chairman, I look forward to continuing to work with you and 

 the committee, the chairman of this committee, Mr. Leahy, and our 

 friends in the Senate to ensure passage of S. 1288. 



Thank you very much. 



Senator Daschle. Thank you. Senator Akaka, for an excellent 

 statement. I caught the fins and gills versus hooves and horns. I 

 will remember that for sure. 



[The testimony resumes on page 7.] 



[The prepared statement of Senator Akaka follows:] 



Statement of Senator Akaka 



Let me begin by thanking Chairman Daschle and his colleagues on the Agri- 

 culture Committee for scheduling this hearing. Reauthorization of the National 

 Aquaculture Act is important to Hawaii and the 29 other States that produce two 

 dozen species of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants for commercial production. 



S. 1288 is a bill for aquaculture. The legislation is designed to promote Federal 

 policies that will allow the United States to become more competitive in the expand- 

 ing world market for aquaculture products. With the support of this committee, S. 

 1288 can become a roadmap for America's future success in aquaculture. 



S. 1288 addresses some of the most pressing needs of aquaculture farmers — ad- 

 vanced research, credit assistance, disaster assistance, market data, conservation 

 assistance, and improved policy coordination among Federal agencies. But the bill 

 can best be summarized in a simple, three word statement: aquaculture is agri- 

 culture. 



For too long, aquaculture farmers have suffered from the lack of a clear Govern- 

 ment-wide policy to promote this important sector of agriculture. Aquaculture has 

 also been limited by an inability to participate in many of the farm programs avail- 

 able to dry-land agriculture. The time has come for the Federal Government to rec- 

 ognize that just because the crop you harvest has fins and gills instead of hoofs and 

 horns, it is still agriculture and you deserve to be treated just like any other farmer 

 who works hard for a living. 



S. 1288 was drafted with one basic principle in mind, namely, the bill should as- 

 sist all aquaculture farmers equally. It would be wrong to promote any segment of 

 the industry — whether it is marine or fresh water aquaculture farming, or a particu- 

 lar species of fish or shellfish — more than another. As the bill moves through the 

 committee process, I urge you to maintain this principle of fairness. 



In the 4 months since the bill was introduced, I have received comments from na- 

 tional. State, and regional aquaculture associations, and from individual farmers as 

 well. These comments are overwhelmingly favorable. I will share them with the 

 committee following the hearing. 



One area that generated considerable interest is the disaster program for aqua- 

 culture in section 11 of the bill. After analyzing these comments, there appears to 

 be a much simpler and fairer way to implement an aquaculture disaster assistance 

 program. As the bill moves toward mark-up, I urge the committee to amend the dis- 

 aster assistance authorization for nonprogram crops that appears in section 2244 of 

 the 1990 farm bill by adding aquaculture to the list of eligible crops covered under 

 the disaster program. This approach is preferable to the proposal contained in S. 

 1288, as introduced. 



S. 1288 would stimulate aquaculture development in a comprehensive fashion. 

 Entitled the National Aquaculture Development, Commercialization, and Promotion 

 Act, the bill would promote a coordinated Federal aquaculture policy. Senators 

 Leahy, Craig, Hefiin, Gorton, Johnston, Bond, Inouye, PeU, Graham of Florida, 

 Wofford, Murray, Breaux, and Campbell have joined me in cosponsoring this bill. 



