34 



nology that is practical, ecologically responsible, and successful in 

 reestablishing depleted and stressed stocks. In our tag and release 

 trials of mullet, for example, we have demonstrated that a depleted 

 population can be reestablished. Both commercial and recreational 

 fisheries in Hawaii are benefitting from this development. The 

 American Fisheries Society has gone on record in full support of 

 the approach taken by this NOAA-supported program. We encour- 

 age NOAA's continuing and increasing support for such responsible 

 enhancement efforts on a national level. 



In closing, Mr. Chairman, we would encourage NOAA's continu- 

 ing support for the development of marine aquaculture in the Unit- 

 ed States and its continuing collaboration with the many fine insti- 

 tutions having the capacity to augment NOAA's in-house resources. 

 In these endeavors, we urge NOAA to work closely with the private 

 sector in developing its priorities. 



Thank you for the opportunity to present our views. 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Dill follows:] 



Prepared Statement of Jan E. Dill 



Thank you, chairman and members of the committee, for allowing us to present 

 testimony on draft legislation to reauthorize the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

 Administration. We also support bill S. 1288 authored by Senator Daniel K. Akaka 

 to provide for the coordination and implementation of a national aquaculture policy 

 for the private sector by the Secretary of Agriculture, to establish an Aquaculture 

 Commercialization Research Program. 



The Oceanic Institute (OD is a nonprofit, applied research organization concerned 

 with practical oceanographic and aquaculture technologies, domestically and abroad. 

 01 has conducted research in the field of applied aquaculture technology for over 

 three decades. 



Our Stock Enhancement of Marine Fish in the State of Hawaii (SEMFISH), 

 Mahimahi Aquaculture Development and Asian Interchange programs are funded 

 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In 1988, in response to 

 a decline in Hawaii's coastal fisheries, 01 established the SEMFISH program to ex- 

 amine the feasibility of enhancing coastal fish populations through stocking pro- 

 grams. SEMFISH technology can be applied to the enhancement and revitalization 

 of inshore and nearshore fisheries worldwide. 01 scientists are currently employing 

 this new science to replenish Pacific threadfin, identified as the top priority species 

 for stock enhancement in Hawaii. The Asian Interchange Program (AIP) was estab- 

 lished at 01 in 1989 to give key membres of the U.S. aquaculture industry and re- 

 search community an opportunity to participate in discussions with their counter- 

 parts in Asia. AIP has completed four international aquaculture information ex- 

 change efi'orts to date that respond directly to areas of key concern to the U.S. aqua- 

 culture industry. The purpose of the Mahimahi Aquaculture Development Project is 

 to advance the technology of mahimahi aquaculture to the point of commercial fea- 

 sibility. Our work through these programs makes 01 a logical candidate to act as 

 an extension of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Hawaii, 

 to assist the agency in their mission to manage and protect our fisheries and the 

 ocean environment. 



The United States has always been a leader in the field of agriculture technology. 

 Now is the perfect time to apply this leadership to the burgeoning aquaculture in- 

 dustry, domestically and globally. Tremendous commercial opportunities are avail- 

 able from aquaculture ventures, and the United States has the technology and ex- 

 pertise to be in the forefront of the industry using methods that are environmentally 

 sustainable. 



In the last 20 years, the world aquaculture industry has more than doubled its 

 contribution to global fisheries. Aquaculture provides approximately 15 percent of 

 world fisheries' supplies, and the value of 1990 harvests totaled approximately $30 

 billion. Aquaculture in the United States has grown 20 percent annually through 

 the 1980's to become the fastest growing segment of U.S. agriculture. The industry 

 currently provides about 17 percent of the domestic seafood supply. 



Hawaii's aquaculture industry has two components: the commercial production 

 sector and the research and technology transfer (service) sector (i.e., research, train- 

 ing, professional conferences, degree education, and consulting activities). In 1993 



