19 



Under the section dealing with the excess section 32 funds, there 

 is concern that the language in the bill will limit our access to ex- 

 isting funds currently available for export promotion, research, de- 

 velopment, and education. 



For example, funding presently being generated through ARS — 

 I would bring to mind the development of the National Warm- 

 Water Aquaculture Center — CSRS, with the oversight of the five 

 regional aquaculture centers and other research projects, and then 

 AFS with export possibilities. 



The research findings in the 1988 Joint Subcommittee on Aqua- 

 culture Task Force report on therapeutic compounds are eight 

 years old and need prioritizing to reflect the current priorities of 

 warm-water fisheries. 



Any competitive review panels authorized under this bill should 

 be all-inclusive to include fair, equitable, and geographic represen- 

 tation. 



We would like to again comment this committee for its concern 

 and support for our national aquaculture industry, and I look for- 

 ward to being of any assistance as the committee addresses this 

 bill. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. 



Senator Daschle. Thank you, Mr. Warren, for your statement. 



Our final witness is Mr. Jim Zimmerman. As I indicated, he is 

 the Director of Public Relations of Troutlodge, Incorporated and 

 represents the Washington Fish Growers Association, and we are 

 delighted he could be with us as well. 



STATEMENT OF JAMES R. ZIMMERMAN, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC 

 RELATIONS, TROUTLODGE, INC., SUMMER, WASHINGTON, ON 

 BEHALF OF THE WASHINGTON FISH GROWERS ASSOCIA- 

 TION, WASHINGTON, D.C. 



Mr. Zimmerman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



I feel like I am going to be an echo at the end of the table here, 

 and with the last name of Zimmerman, I am used to being last. 

 [Laughter.] 



Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, the Washington Fish 

 Growers Association is very appreciative to be here today. We ex- 

 tend our appreciation to Senator Akaka for his leadership for spon- 

 soring this bill, and we thank you and Senator Leahy for holding 

 this hearing. 



I will be representing Washington Fish Growers Association, Pa- 

 cific Coast Oyster Growers Association, and the American Farm 

 Bureau. I have all their testimonies here, and I will submit them 

 for the record, and in the sake of time, I will only touch the high- 

 lights. 



The American Farm Bureau supports this bill. They have an 

 Aquaculture Advisory Committee that represents 20 States that 

 produce aquaculture products. They do indicate that aquaculture is 

 the fastest growing segment of American agriculture with a farm 

 gate value of about $800 miljion and 30,000 jobs. 



The American Farm Bureau was pleased to be the host of the 

 Aquaculture Industry Forum that was mentioned by Mr. McCraren 

 and others on this panel. 



The Pacific Coast Oyster Growers Association is made up of 

 membership in California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, as 



