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Federation, Aquaculture Advisory Committee. I represent my home State of Wash- 

 ington on this committee. 



The Washington Fish Growers Association appreciates Senator Akaka's sponsor- 

 ship and we are pleased that Washington Senators Gorton and Murray are cospon- 

 sors. We extend our gratitude to Senator Leahy for holding this hearing and for his 

 interest in the American aquaculture farming industry. 



Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, The Washington Fish Growers As- 

 sociation and its general membership strongly support S. 1288. It is an important 

 bill to the aquaculture industry and will facilitate a healthy growth in the industry 

 and provide the following benefits: 



1. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to treat private aquaculture "as a form 

 of agriculture" and aquaculture products moving in standard commodity channels 

 as agricultural commodities." — section 8 (d). This is absolutely critical to the indus- 

 try. For example, it would make clear that USDA (through APHIS) could perform 

 certification services for fish and eggs as it currently does for all other forms of agri- 

 cultural livestock. (For fish or eggs to move intrastate, interstate or internationally, 

 they must be "certified" free of disease.) 



The industry has relied in the past on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services for 

 certification services. However, the availability of these services has been inconsist- 

 ent at best and the services are presently unavailable in large parts of the country. 

 It is also important to mention that USDA is recognized throughout the world for 

 its certification of livestock. Certification by the USDA is advantageous to firms 

 wishing to export products. 



2. It recognizes USDA as the lead agency in regulating and assisting in the devel- 

 opment of private sector aquaculture. Again, bringing this industry into mainstream 

 agriculture is critical to its future success. 



With a stronger and growing American aquaculture farming industry, there are 

 many benefits. These benefits include: 



1. Increased exports, which will have a positive impact on the present trade im- 

 balance. 



2. Creation of employment opportunities in rural areas where jobs are most 

 needed. 



3. Increase American farming production of fish and fish products, providing con- 

 sistent supply at competitive prices. 



Afler considerable review of S. 1288, the Washington Fish Growers Association re- 

 spectfully requests two proposed amendments: 



1. The definition of "private aquaculture" (section 3, part 8) should not exclude 

 firms that do any work under contract with a governmental entity. 



2. For clarification, section 8(d) should include additional language stating that 

 animals produced by private aquaculture shall be defined as "livestock," thus leav- 

 ing no doubt on this point. 



The Washington Fish Growers Association strongly supports S. 1288 and we urge 

 final passage. We also extend our appreciation to Senator Akaka for his leadership 

 in sponsoring this very important legislation. We further extend our appreciation to 

 respective members of the staff that have been very professional in assisting in the 

 development of this bill. 



The Washington Fish Growers Association urges passage of S. 1288 and is pre- 

 pared to address questions and lend assistance for support of this legislation. 



U.S. Department of Commerce 



Mr. Chairman, the Department appreciates the opportunity to comment on 

 S. 1288, the National Aquaculture Development, Commercialization, and Promotion 

 Act of 1993. This bill would reauthorize the National Aquaculture Act of 1980. 

 There are a number of agencies, including the Departments of Agriculture and the 

 Interior, that have responsibility for different facets of aquaculture. Because of the 

 number of agencies involved, the administration is still developing a position on this 

 bill. However, we do have some concerns with S. 1288 as written. We believe that 

 the bill should recognize NOAA's capabilities in marine aquaculture and the assist- 

 ance it can render in developing a comprehensive national aquaculture program. 



NOAA's established fishery research programs and extensive regional research fa- 

 cilities are assets which can provide substantial support to a national aquaculture 

 program. Further, if U.S. aquaculture is going to advance significantly, it will take 

 the resources of all major agencies — the Departments of Commerce, the Interior, 

 and Agriculture, working together as full partners to achieve it. Currently, all three 



