67 



the U.SyCanada Pacific Salmon Treaty in 1985, NMFS has provided over $20 mil- 

 lion for salmon enhancement projects. 



Question. How do you foresee the roles of NMFS and Sea Grant changing or 

 evolving in response to the needs of the marine aquaculture industry and the poten- 

 tial role for aquaculture as an integral component of NOAA's mission? 



NMFS and Sea Grant are currently working on an implementation plan to in- 

 crease support for marine aquaculture activities. NMFS and Sea Grant will review 

 industry needs and reevaluate current funding support to ensure that available 

 funds promote the development of sustainable aquaculture operations. 



AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY ASSICTANCE 



Question. The marine aquaculture industry has expressed concerns that the per- 

 mitting process for aquaculture has been a major constraint on the growth of the 

 industry. I understand that the Army Corps of Engineers currently issues permits 

 for activities in navigable waterways. What role do you see for NCAA in the permit- 

 ting process and the promotion of responsible development of the aquaculture indus- 

 try? 



Answer. As part of the implementation plan, NOAA may seek to streamline the 

 permit application process which has been repeatedly identified by industry as a 

 major impediment to aquaculture development. A streamlined approach should: 



• provide national criteria for aquaculture operations. Such criteria could ensure 

 that aquaculture operations have limited adverse environmental impacts on natural 

 resources under NOAA's trusteeship. 



• provide that one federal agency coordinate the permit application process. Sin- 

 gle agency coordination will reduce costs to industry and shorten the length of time 

 required to obtain a permit. This approach could also improve cooperation between 

 the Federal government and relevant state agencies and promote consistent regula- 

 tions governing the operation of aquaculture facilities in both Federal and state wa- 

 ters. 



To further facilitate approval of permit applications, NOAA could support an ef- 

 fort to identify specific areas for aquaculture development. Permit applications for 

 aquaculture activities within such areas could be subject to expedited review be- 

 cause the areas would have been predetermined to be environmentally suitable for 

 aquaculture development. 



ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS FOR AQUACULTURE 



Question. Growth of the aquaculture industry has brought attention to its poten- 

 tial environmental effects. Most questions focus on the potential adverse impacts of 

 disease, loss of genetic diversity, introduction of non-indigenous species and poten- 

 tial habitat degradation. What steps would NOAA or NMFS take to ensure that as 

 the aquaculture industry expands, we still maintain a healthy marine environment? 



Answer. NOAA support of aquaculture will be fully integrated with its other 

 stewardship responsibilities. NOAA, having the greatest responsibility amongst all 

 agencies for conservation of marine resources and the environment, is well suited 

 to regulate and oversee aquaculture that affects marine ecosystems. If the U.S. 

 aquaculture industry is to expand, a healthy aquatic environment must be sustained 

 for all users, including the aquaculture industry. NOAA will propose an integrated 

 research, development, and technology program in marine aquaculture to: 



• Foster the development of environmentally acceptable, cost-efTective intensive 

 commercial aquaculture systems in the coastal zone and offshore. Of high priority 

 are research and development of closed-cycle recirculating systems and offshore sys- 

 tems, waste-control methodologies, and the application of computer and artificial in- 

 telligence technologies to aquaculture. 



• Advance NOAA's fisheries enhancement programs through the development of 

 new hatchery rearing systems and the tailoring of candidate species for those sys- 

 tems, using biotechnology and other scientific approaches. High priority areas in- 

 clude programs to develop where appropriate technology for culturing currently 

 over-exploited species, and those in danger of over-exploitation, better broodstocks, 

 improved hatchery techniques, enhanced growth of hi^-value species, improved dis- 

 ease resistance and treatment, improved control of reproduction, techniques for the 

 identification of cultured stocks in the ocean, and understanding better the genetic 

 consequences of enhancement. 



