88 



takes 6 months to 2 years for tropical fish to mature to breeding size, without the funds we are 

 forced to sell possible brood stock that survived the storm in order to pay mounting repair and day 

 to day operating costs 



There is a consensus in this area that the USDA, wants to eliminate non-traditional crops from 

 traditional as well as disaster assistance programs. 



Solutions to Major problems faced bv Aquaculture producers in South Dade County: 



The simplest way to eradicate most of the confusion encountered by the aquaculture growers, is to 

 simply introduce an agency wide definition of aquaculture as agriculture as well as the proper 

 supporting language within the U.S. DA. If the U.S. DA. were to take this first step, there would 

 be no need for the confusion that was encountered at every turn by the aquaculture growers in 

 South Dade County should a disaster of the magnitude of Hurricane Andrew hit any other region 

 where there are aquacultural concerns 



If the afore mentioned step were taken, then there would be uniform mandates and requirements, 

 thereby enabling ASCS to release funds at a much quicker rate, also with definite guidelines there 

 would be no foot dragging or dancing around the major issues which all the fish growers are still 

 facing. If aquaculture were recognized as agriculture then there would be no question of our 

 eligibility for the Tree Assistance Program and instead of selling off our future brood stock, to 

 survive, the funds would be available to purchase additional fish to replace our losses. 

 In addition, if a committee of aquaculture experts were able to come in and evaluate the losses and 

 damages, and authorize the disbursement of at least a partial payment for losses immediately, we 

 would not be facing the problems we face today, 15 months after the storm With the system in 

 place now, most of the farmers down here are still waiting for the review of some claim or another 

 and when a deadline approaches everything comes to a standstill as the new claims are reviewed. 

 This is due in part to the lack of adequate numbers of personel and delay in getting equipment in 

 the local ASCS office. On November 12, 1993 the local ASCS office finally got needed equipment 

 that they requested nine months ago. 



Closing Statment: 



In closing, although Hurricanes are not a threat to the nation as a whole, there is not one region 

 with aquacultural concerns that does not sit in the path of one disaster or another, the problems that 

 were faced here in South Florida, will be identical in any other region, some even worse By 

 setting up guidelines, definitions and protocols to be followed, the delays could be cut down to a 

 minimum, providing much needed help quickly and effectively. 



