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will continue to depend on imported fish and shellfish, which now 

 supply over 60 percent of our seafood needs. Fisheries imports, 

 some $9 billion annually, constitute the third largest component of 

 our trade deficit after petroleum and automobiles. 



Realization of Senator Akaka's legislation will contribute signifi- 

 cantly and dramatically to the future of our industry and its mean- 

 ingfulness to our economy. Senate bill 1288 is industry's bill. We 

 have discussed it on numerous occasions with the Senator's staff 

 both prior to and following its introduction, and we are most appre- 

 ciative of the fact that we have been an integral part of the process. 



We are appreciative as well that the bill is of value to all seg- 

 ments of industry. The bill does not address specific issues and 

 problems that we deal with on a day-to-day basis, but nor does it 

 have to. We have the means in place to do this, such as a new 

 Farm Bureau-hosted Industry Forum and Dr. Parker's Joint Sub- 

 committee on Aquaculture, for example. 



What the bill does address is a litany of rudimentary needs nec- 

 essary for this industry's future. These include provision for the co- 

 ordination and implementation of a national aquaculture policy for 

 private industry by the Secretary of Agriculture. This is appro- 

 priate, as aquaculture is recognized as agriculture worldwide, and 

 it should be viewed no differently in our Nation. 



Further, cultured aquatic plants and animals would be treated as 

 livestock and agricultural commodities. This is important as it re- 

 lates to programs of the Department of Agriculture and industry. 



Important as well is section 8, wherein reference is made to a de- 

 partmental Office of Aquaculture to not only support private aqua- 

 culture development, but to "coordinate all interdepartmental func- 

 tions and activities relating to private aquaculture." 



We need a departmental focus and infrastructure sensitive to 

 this industry with a budget reflective of its needs. 



We have an administration and a Secretary of Agriculture who 

 know and understand aquaculture. Their continued support would 

 be appreciated in this regard certainly. 



Extremely important, too, is reauthorization of the National 

 Aquaculture Act of 1980 and excess section 32 funds to be utilized 

 for export promotion, research, development, education, and mar- 

 ket development. 



We applaud the innovative section on aquaculture commer- 

 cialization research, revision of the National Aquaculture Develop- 

 ment Plan, the bill's facilitation of improved communication and 

 interaction between private industry, the Federal Government, and 

 others who make up our diverse community. 



With all due respect, nothing is perfect in this imperfect world, 

 so it is, in our opinion, with section 11 relative to disaster assist- 

 ance, we do ask that the referenced "100-acre cap" be amended. I 

 think this is going to be dealt with as the Senator referenced ear- 

 lier. 



Further, we respectfully suggest that the definition of "private 

 aquaculture" in section 3, part 8, not exclude firms that work 

 under contract with a Government entity. 



It is our hope that we have conveyed the need for this legislation 

 to the subcommittee. We need this bill. We urge the Senate to 



