35 



Hawaii's total aquaculture industry value was estimated at $25 million. The whole- 

 sale product value in the commercial product sector was estimated at $8 million and 

 the service sector at $17 million. Aquaculture farms now produce about 3 percent 

 of the seafood consumed in Hawaii and 13 percent of the value of all local fisheries 

 products. 



Hawaii's diverse tropical and subtropical climate, suitable lands, nearshore ocean 

 areas, and abundant supplies of fresh, brackish, and warm salt waters, combined 

 with its location on the Pacific Rim, give it an unmatched advantage in the fish 

 farming industry. More than 35 different marine species are farmed in Hawaii in- 

 cluding mahimahi (dolphin fish), shrimp, tiaapia, mullet, and catfish. 



Aquaculture research, technology transfer, and training are other areas providing 

 growth to the industry. 01 has transferred its technology to Egypt, Taiwan, Indo- 

 nesia, and Ecuador; and has trained people form Oman, Belize, Turkey, Brazil, 

 Burma, China, India, France, French Polynesia, and the continental United States. 

 This transfer of knowledge benefits the industry, and will help to alleviate the world 

 food problem. 



Another aspect of marine aquaculture that needs encouragement is the use of 

 aquaculture as a vehicle to teach science, math, and economics. FMlot programs at 

 the Oceanic Institute and other institutions have demonstrated that the multidisci- 

 plinary aspects of aquaculture are ideal for education purposes. One of these pro- 

 grams is Future Farmers of America. 01 was instrumental in developing the cur- 

 riculum being used by Future Farmers of America in U.S. schools. While the goal 

 of such programs may be to develop qualified personnel for the aquaculture indus- 

 try, often students actually become interested in careers in other science fields. The 

 "hands-on" nature of aquaculture can give students confidence in subjects they tra- 

 ditionally avoid but are necessary for science and math careers. Aquaculture in- 

 volves biology, chemistry, physics, math, and economics. 



The aquaculture industry needs continued research and development in the area 

 of technology. For example, the industry must be supported by cost-efTective aquatic 

 feed. Out of the 4.6 million metric tons of feed to be produced by the year 2000, 

 1.2 million metric tons of the total will consist offish meal (a very costly and limited 

 ingredient). Using new technology currently being developed, it is estimated that be- 

 tween 500,000 and 1 million metric tons of the fish meal component in aquatic feed 

 may be replaced by plant proteins. The opportunity exists for American farmers to 

 reduce plant protein such as soy and wheat to replace costly fish meal in aquatic 

 "eed. Producing aquatic feed has tremendoud commercial potential. In 1990 aqua- 

 culture feed production in the United States totaled 400,000 tons with a value of 

 approximately $120 million. World aquaculture feed production totaled 2.7 million 

 tons with a value of $1.7 billion. 



The success of aquaculture is dependent on the same components necessary for 

 commercial agriculture. These components include adequate supplies of quality 

 seed, feeds, feeding regimes, tight production management, prudent financing, 

 health programs, and good marketing/distribution. All these factors are in place for 

 traditional sustainable and profitable modern food production industries. The suc- 

 cessful U.S. pultry and swine industry include high health chick and piglet or "seed" 

 supplies. Tomato, potato, and rice farmers have in place tight production manage- 

 ment and health programs. 



In sharp contrast, world marine aquaculture to date has been primitive. The vast 

 majority of production is dependent upon the capture of wild animals, unsophisti- 

 cated breeding practices, limited disease programs, and common property water use 

 in fragile coastal estuaries. Nonetheless, marine aquaculture continues to grow. For 

 example, marine shrimp farming has grown into a $4 billion worldwide industry, 

 with production centered in Thailand, Indonesia, India, the Philippines, China, and 

 Ecuador. 



However, the picture of the shrimp farming industry is far from rosy. Short-term 

 profitability has sacrificed long-term sustainability though environmentally unsound 

 farming practices. In 1993, world shrimp farming revenues were down dramatically 

 from the previous year. Disease and environmental problems have translated into 

 a $1.2 billion loss in exports for China alone. Approximately 40,000 hectares in 

 Thailand and 15,000 hectares in Latin America have been abandoned because of 

 similar problems related to deteriorating seed supply, disease, and environmental 

 conditions. 



Fortunately, aauaculture entrepreneurs in the United States have learned from 

 the mistakes made by other countries and have taken the proper steps to maintain 

 healthy animals and environments. The leadership the United States has main- 

 tained in world agriculture can be transferred to aquaculture production. The win- 

 dow of opportunity for U.S. leadership in the industry is open. The technologies for 

 moving the United States into this position are being developed and can continue 



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