[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 116 (Tuesday, July 18, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1449-E1450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       INTRODUCTION OF THE AQUACULTURE EMPLOYMENT INVESTMENT ACT

                                 ______


                             HON. JACK REED

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 17, 1995
  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce today the 
Aquaculture Employment Investment Act. This bill is based upon 
legislation I sponsored last Congress with my colleague from 
Massachusetts, Representative Studds.
  Aquaculture represents a promising economic development opportunity 
for the State of Rhode Island. At the turn of the century, Rhode Island 
shellfishermen harvested so much shellfish from Narragansett Bay that 
this harvest would be worth almost $1 billion at today's prices.
  The bill I am introducing today attempts to foster economic growth 
and create jobs by encouraging aquaculture development in our 

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lakes and coastal areas. The Aquaculture Employment Act amends the 
Coastal Zone Management Act [CZMA] to authorize grants to States to 
formulate, administer, and implement strategic plans for marine 
aquaculture. This provision would enable States like Rhode Island that 
have no comprehensive plan for aquaculture development to get started 
in the process of creating jobs and economic development through 
aquaculture.
  The legislation also creates a grant program modeled after a 
shellfish seeding program operating in Nantucket. Under this program, 
funds would be made available to States to expand ongoing projects 
relating to aquaculture, such as the State quahog transplant 
operations. By transplanting clams from high bacteria areas of 
Narragansett Bay to clean areas of the Bay, the clams are given the 
opportunity to clean themselves and eventually be ready for harvest.
  This is not to say that development of a marine aquaculture industry 
will be easy. Difficult issues such as private use of public resources, 
conflicts with other coastal user groups, and the development of 
streamlined regulatory and permitting requirements will have to be 
addressed.
  Other nations around the world have already recognized the potential 
of aquaculture and the important role that government can play in 
developing this industry. The governments of Japan, Norway, and Chile 
are supporting aquaculture development programs, and giving their 
citizens the opportunity to reap the accompanying economic rewards. In 
fact, these countries are exporting their aquaculture harvests of fish 
and shellfish to America.
  This bill calls for a modest commitment of Federal resources, but it 
does not take a large Federal investment to join marine aquaculture and 
economic development. I urge my colleagues to join with me in support 
of its passage.


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