My bill would authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants and award 

 contracts to support highly focused applied research and the investigations of new 

 products and processes that have the greatest potential for aquaculture commer- 

 cialization. 



The bill would authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program to 

 improve instruction about aauaculture in agriculture curriculum and to educate 

 high school and vocational education students about the basic principles of aqua- 

 culture farming. 



Finally, my bill would authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to provide assistance 

 to eligible aquaculture farmers who suffer losses of an aquatic crop as a result of 

 damaging weather or related condition. 



Aquaculture is truly an exciting endeavor. Outstanding research facilities, emerg- 

 ing high-tech opportunities, and a skilled work force will enable the United States 

 to make a national commitment to aquaculture. The enactment of this legislation 

 will allow U.S. aquaculture farms to compete successfully for an increased share of 

 the world aquaculture market. 



Two other Senators had indicated that they wish to have statements made a part 

 of the record. The first is that of our chairman. Senator Leahy, and the second, that 

 of our colleague from Arkansas, Senator Pryor. Without objection, they will be made 

 part of the record. 



[The testimony resumes on page 9.] 



[The prepared statements of Senators Leahy and Pryor follow in 

 subsequent order:] 



Statement of Senator Leahy 



Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to submit my statement before the Senate Agri- 

 culture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Subcommittee on Agricultural Research, Conserva- 

 tion, Forestrv, and General Legislation in support of S. 1288, the National Aqua- 

 culture Development, Commercialization, and Promotion Act. 



I would like to thank both Senator Daschle for chairing this hearing, and Senator 

 Akaka for introducing this bill and his efforts in promoting the aquacultural seg- 

 ment of agriculture. 



According to the Vermont Department of Agriculture, aquaculture is the fastest 

 growing segment of agriculture in my State. That is why I'm a cosponsor of S. 1288. 



Aquaculture's opportunities are immense. 



Fish farming provides diversification for farmers currently engaged in more tradi- 

 tional forms of farming. In West Virginia, a nonprofit environmental group — the 

 Freshwater Institute — with grant assistance from USDA's Agricultural Research 

 Service, is helping show dairy and other farmers how to convert some of their pas- 

 ture land for raising trout. Small scale, intensive aquaculture combined with more 

 traditional forms of agriculture, like dairy farming, will help to increase and diver- 

 sify farm incomes, help create additional jobs in rural areas, and help family farm- 

 ers stay in business. 



The Green Mountain Trout Farm in Monkton, Vermont, is an example of how 

 aquaculture can help keep farming a family business. Nearly a decade ago, Robert 

 Coleman was a dairy herdsman. He then decided to go into the fish farming busi- 

 ness. He and his wife Shirley faced difficulties in getting fmancing for their farm. 

 Lenders are unfamiliar with aquaculture and are therefore reluctant to provide 

 loans. Robert then turned to the Farmers Home Administration for loan assistance, 

 and shortly thereafter the Colemans were in business. Today, the Green Mountain 

 Trout Farm is the largest private aquaculture business in Vermont and Shirley 

 Colenian is now President of the Vermont Aquaculture Association. The Coleman's 

 story is one family farm success story. 



A recent General Accounting Office report helps explain the difficulties many 

 farmers face in obtaining the necessary financing to begin an aquaculture enter- 

 prise. Cornmercial lenders are largely unfamiliar with aquaculture, the industry in 

 many regions country is relatively young and untested, and the inherent risk in- 

 volved in fish farming all combine to make access to financing difficult. 



The GAO reports that since 1990, the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) has 

 made 290 loans for aquaculture for nearly $38 million. While I applaud the efforts 

 of FmHA to assist this fledgling industry, we need to do more. If aquaculture is 

 going to succeed as a viable element in farm incomes, then access to start-up and 

 expansion money will have to be provided and more resources will need to be ex- 

 pended for aauacultural research and promotion. 



I do not believe that efforts to expand the aquaculture sector will go unrewarded. 



