8 



Currently, the United States has a $3.3 billion trade deficit in seafood, and ac- 

 cording to the Ofilce of Technology and Assessment imported fisheries products are 

 the largest food and agricultural contributor to our country's trade deficit. If this 

 trade deficit can be cut by as much one-third, it is estimated that 25,000 new jobs 

 will be created — many of which will be in rural America. 



I mentioned previously the Green Mountain Trout Farm, a family farm in Ver- 

 mont and the success of the Coleman family in building that business. I believe ex- 

 pansion of aquaculture will help families like the Colemans create jobs in rural 

 areas. The Troutlodge trout farm in Washington State bears this out. Started as a 

 small, family business by the McLeary family in 1945, Troutlodge now directly em- 

 ploys 38 people and contributes to the indirect employment of many others. I believe 

 these' successes can be replicated throughout the country. 



The aquacultural segment of agriculture will help development in rural America, 

 help in combating the Nation's trade deficit, give consumers greater access to safe 

 and reliable sources of seafood and will help ease the pressure on wild fisheries 

 stocks. 



Providing a reliable source of seafood for consumers is the future of aquaculture. 

 The Mountain Springs Fish Farm in Westford, Vermont, is trying to do just that. 

 Four years ago Robert Pittala, an ink and paper producer by trade, decided to go 

 into the fish farming business. Seeing an opportunity, Mr. Pittala bought a veal 

 farm in Chittenden County and converted it to raising trout. Today, Mountain 

 Springs Fish Farm supplies fresh fish to restaurants and groceries throughout Ver- 

 mont. Mountain Springs expects gross sales to reach $60,000-$70,000 this year. Mr. 

 Pittala reports that demand for fresh Vermont trout is exceeding supply, as consum- 

 ers demand quality, fresh fish. 



Vermont's lish farmers would like greater Federal assistance in making available 

 access to credit, they want USDA to provide research in production and fish disease 

 prevention, and they would like promotion of their products. I believe this bill helps 

 meet these concerns and will help the aquaculture industry to grow. 



Aquaculture accounts for approximately 16 percent of the world's fishery harvest. 

 In the United States, aquaculture provides less than 7 percent of fisheries harvest. 

 I know we can do better. The success of American proauction of animal and plant 

 crops has been accomplished by appropriate research and Extension efforts. The bill 

 before this committee will help create similar successes in the fish farming industry. 



The National Aquaculture Development, Commercialization, and Promotion Act 

 will reauthorize the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 and the aquaculture provi- 

 sions in the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. This bill ex- 

 pands USDA research and development commitments in aquaculture, improves ac- 

 cess to credit for fish farmers, and encourages the growth of the aquacultural sector 

 of agriculture in general. 



I nope each member of the committee will join me in support of this bill. 



Statement of Senator Pryor 



I would like to thank Senator Daschle and the subcommittee for holding this 

 hearing today on such an important industry and the proposed legislation to sustain 

 it. Aquaculture is a thriving business — one of the brightest spots in our economy 

 with respect to growth, employment and the potential for gaining positive trade bal- 

 ances around the world. Unfortunately, aquaculture has not received its due rec- 

 ognition and assistance from our Federal Government over the years. 



The legislation, S. 1288, certainly takes some badly needed steps in the right di- 

 rection. I would like to commend Senator Akaka for his efforts at crafting and carry- 

 ing this bill forward. 



This legislation, which reauthorizes the National Aquaculture Act, directs the 

 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to coordinate and implement a national pol- 

 icy for aquaculture development. It also defines aquaculture as a form of agriculture 

 and requires USDA to treat aquaculture products as agriculture commodities. 



In addition, the bill would give greater emphasis to research designed to commer- 

 cialize aquaculture technologies, require the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a 

 closer working relationship with aquaculture industry councils, and establish a pro- 

 gram to expand and improve instruction about aquaculture in agriculture curricu- 

 lum. 



These key elements are of particular importance to Arkansas, which ranks second 

 in the production of catfish in the United States, first in fingerling production of 

 both grass carp and striped bass, and is a leader in production of white amur, 

 largemouth bass, bighead carp, bream, crappie, tilapia, rainbow trout, and aquar- 

 ium fishes. 



