I introduced this legislation to help the United States become more competitive 

 in the expanding global economy. My bill is designed to stimulate one of the fastest 

 growing components of agriculture in the United States — ac^uaculture farming. 



This morning, I met with representatives from the leadmg national aquaculture 

 associations. Tnese individuals represent shrimp farmers, trout farmers, oyster 

 growers, catfish farmers, bait farmers, tropical fish growers, and farmers who grow 

 more than a dozen other species. I was very impressed by the strong support they 

 voiced for Federal aquaculture legislation. 



Nearly one-quarter of global seafood consumption will come from fish farming by 

 the year 2000. Based on population projections and assuming stable wild fishery 

 harvests, world aquaculture production must double by the end of this decade and 

 increase sevenfold in the next 35 years to keep pace with rising demand for seafood. 

 The question we must ask is whether U.S. aquaculture will share in this explosive 

 growtn. 



The international market for aquaculture is vast, and the United States is well 

 equipped to become a leader in aquaculture production and technology. Supported 

 by a national commitment, American farmers have developed the most productive 

 terrestrial agriculture system on earth. A similar effort is needed to help the United 

 States increase its share of the world aquaculture market. A national commitment 

 is essential to the future success of aquaculture in the United States. We have the 

 finest research institutions in the world. We simply need to redirect some of our re- 

 search energy toward promising technologies like aquaculture. 



The bill authorizes funds for research on the latest technologies for aquaculture 

 farming. The bill would establish an international exchange program to allow our 

 researchers to learn about successful production methods in countries where aqua- 

 culture is more highly developed. It would also improve education about aquaculture 

 through programs for high scnool and vocational education students. 



Efforts to expand the U.S. aquaculture industry will not go unrewarded. The cur- 

 rent U.S. trade deficit for seafood stands at $3.3 billion. If we could reduce our sea- 

 food trade deficit by one-third through expanded aquaculture production, we would 

 create 25,000 new jobs. That is what this aquaculture bill is about — creating jobs 

 and putting Americans to work in new, promising industries. 



The opportunity for job creation is unusually promising. Consumer demand for 

 seafood has increased well beyond that which can be attributed to population 

 growth. Rising demand coincides with the decline of many of the world's fisheries. 

 Thus, the opportunity exists for U.S. aquaculture production to satisfy the increas- 

 ing demand for seafood both at home and abroad. 



Before the United States can effectively compete in the world market, however, 

 we must increase the number of trained technicians able to serve in the aquaculture 

 work force. As technology becomes more complex, the demand for a skilled work 

 force will also increase. Education and Extension programs must do a better job of 

 interesting students in the potential of aquaculture. This will allow industry to re- 

 cruit competent technicians, scientists, and engineers into the aquaculture work 

 force. The U.S. aquaculture industry represents real job growth and opportunity for 

 Americans. 



Nowhere is the opportunity for aquaculture more promising than in Hawaii. We 

 have a skilled labor force, access to Asian and North American markets, and a cli- 

 mate that permits harvesting throughout the year. Aquaculture can strengthen our 

 employment base and help fill the gaps caused by the decline in sugar. With the 

 right encouragement, aquaculture can become a cornerstone of diversified agri- 

 culture in Hawaii. 



In Hawaii, the service components of the aquaculture industry benefit urban 

 areas while commercial farms and private aquaculturists benefit rural communities. 

 With the decline of sugar, commercial aquaculture offers many land-use advantages. 

 Aquaculture is capable of supporting more iobs per acre than plantation agriculture, 

 and aquaculture promotes joos that are hign wage and high tech. 



More than 100 Hawaiian aquaculture production and service businesses generate 

 annual sales of $25 million. Over the last 15 years, the State has spent $15.7 mil- 

 lion to "grow" our aquaculture industry. This investment has helped generate cumu- 

 lative revenues totalling $315.9 million during this period. Every $1 spent by the 

 taxpayers of Hawaii generates $20 of aquaculture revenue. 



The cost-benefit ratio is impressive, but we can do better. The industry in Hawaii, 

 like many other regions in the United States, is poised to increase production, sales 

 revenues, and demand for much needed jobs. 



The road to success must be paved with pragmatic legislation. My bill would de- 

 clare aquaculture to be a form of agriculture and would treat cultured aquatic 

 plants and animals as livestock and agricultural commodities for the purpose oi pro- 

 grams administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 



