[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 109 (Tuesday, July 29, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8266-S8269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. AKAKA (for himself, Mr. Craig, Mr. Leahy and Mr. Daschle):
  S. 1080. A bill to amend the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 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 development and research 
program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry.


   THE NATIONAL AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT, RESEARCH, AND PROMOTION ACT

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I am introducing the National 
Aquaculture Development, Research, and Promotion Act. Senators Craig, 
Leahy, and Daschle have joined me in introducing the bill.
  This legislation is not merely a reauthorization of an expiring law. 
It will help establish a coordinated national aquaculture policy. It 
will stimulate the fastest growing segment of U.S. agriculture.
  The ever-growing demand for fish and fish products is a driving force 
behind the decline of our fisheries. Aquaculture can help satisfy 
demand for fishery products and, at the same time, reduce pressure on 
wild stocks. The bill will also provide a framework for sustainable 
aquaculture development by encouraging best management practices for 
aquaculture at the State level.
  The National Aquaculture Development, Research, and Promotion Act 
addresses the most pressing needs of aquaculture farmers, such as 
research, aquacultural credit, and production and market data.
  For too long aquaculture farmers have suffered from the absence of a 
consistent and unified Federal policy to aid the development of 
aquaculture. My bill promotes policies to allow our country to become 
more competitive in the expanding global market for aquaculture 
products.
  The world market for aquaculture is vast, and the United States has 
the potential to lead future aquaculture production and technology. 
Efforts to expand the U.S. aquaculture industry will not go unrewarded. 
The United States imports 60 percent of its seafood, which results in a 
$3.5 billion annual trade deficit for fish products. Reducing our 
seafood trade deficit by one-third through expanded aquaculture 
production would create 25,000 new jobs.
  World production of aquaculture in 1995 was 21,300,000 metric tons. 
The U.S. contributed less than 3 percent to world output, however.
  With global seafood demand projected to increase 70 percent by 2025, 
and harvests from capture fisheries stable or declining, aquaculture 
production will have to increase by 700 percent, a total of 77 million 
metric tons annually, to meet future demand. The important question is 
whether U.S. aquaculture will share in this explosive growth.

[[Page S8267]]

  This bill is about creating jobs, expanding food production, and 
achieving sustainable aquaculture development. America has outstanding 
institutions for conducting aquaculture research. A coordinated effort, 
with appropriate Federal support, can advance aquaculture development 
and promote significant economic growth. Aquaculture has an important 
advantage because it can be conducted successfully on lands that are 
marginal for other forms of agriculture.
  Aquaculture is a diverse industry that affects all regions of the 
country. More than 30 States produce at least two dozen commercially 
important aquaculture species. Yet the United States ranks 9th among 
nations in the value of its production. China, Japan, India, Indonesia, 
Norway, Thailand, and Korea all enjoy a larger share of the global 
aquaculture market. In addressing the problem of our balance of trade, 
aquaculture can be part of the solution.
  Nowhere is the opportunity for aquaculture more promising than in 
Hawaii. We have a skilled labor force, access to Asian and North 
American markets, a climate that allows harvesting throughout the year, 
and a 1500-year tradition of aquaculture farming.
  Aquaculture supports more jobs per acre than other forms of 
agriculture, so it can strengthen our employment base at a time when 
other areas of Hawaiian agriculture are declining. Our tradition of 
aquaculture that operates in harmony with the environment will help 
assure that its growth and development is sustainable.
  However, the legislation I have introduced today was not designed 
merely to promote aquaculture in Hawaii. The bill was drafted with one 
basic principle in mind: to assist all segments of the aquaculture 
industry equally. It would be wrong to promote one segment of the 
industry, whether it is marine or freshwater aquaculture, or a 
particular species of fish or shellfish, over another.
  The United States can be a world leader in aquaculture in the same 
way that it leads in agriculture. This bill is an important step in 
achieving that goal.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1080

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``National 
     Aquaculture Development, Research, and Promotion Act of 
     1997''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings and purpose.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. National aquaculture development plan.
Sec. 5. National Aquaculture Information Center.
Sec. 6. Coordination with the aquaculture industry.
Sec. 7. Aquaculture commercialization research.
Sec. 8. National policy for private aquaculture.
Sec. 9. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 10. Eligibility of aquaculture farmers for farm credit assistance.
Sec. 11. International aquaculture information and data collection.
Sec. 12. Aquaculture information network report.
Sec. 13. Implementation report.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--Section 2 of the National Aquaculture Act of 
     1980 (16 U.S.C. 2801) is amended by striking subsection (a) 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       ``(1)(A) The wild harvest or capture of certain seafood 
     species exceeds levels of optimum sustainable yield, thereby 
     making it more difficult to meet the increasing demand for 
     aquatic food.
       ``(B) The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United 
     Nations has identified aquaculture as one of the world's 
     fastest growing food production activities.
       ``(C) The world production of aquaculture doubled from 
     10,000,000 metric tons in 1984 to 21,300,000 metric tons in 
     1995, with a value of approximately $40,000,000,000.
       ``(D) The United States produced 666,000,000 pounds of 
     aquaculture products in 1994, less than 3 percent of the 
     world output.
       ``(E) The United States is a major importer of aquaculture 
     products.
       ``(2)(A) To satisfy the domestic market for aquatic food, 
     the United States imports more than 59 percent of its 
     seafood.
       ``(B) This dependence on imports adversely affects the 
     national balance of payments and contributes to the 
     uncertainty of supplies and product quality.
       ``(3)(A) Although aquaculture currently contributes 
     approximately 17 percent by weight of world seafood 
     production, less than 9 percent by weight of current United 
     States seafood production results from aquaculture.
       ``(B) As a result, domestic aquaculture production has the 
     potential for significant growth.
       ``(4) Aquaculture production of aquatic animals and plants 
     is a source of food, industrial materials, pharmaceuticals, 
     energy, and aesthetic enjoyment, and can assist in the 
     control and abatement of pollution.
       ``(5) The rehabilitation and enhancement of fish and 
     shellfish resources are desirable applications of aquaculture 
     technology.
       ``(6) The principal responsibility for the development of 
     aquaculture in the United States must rest with the private 
     sector.
       ``(7) Despite its potential, the development of aquaculture 
     in the United States has been inhibited by many scientific, 
     economic, legal, and production factors, such as--
       ``(A) inadequate credit;
       ``(B) limited research and development and demonstration 
     programs;
       ``(C) diffused legal jurisdiction;
       ``(D) inconsistent interpretations between Federal 
     agencies;
       ``(E) the lack of management information;
       ``(F) the lack of supportive policies of the Federal 
     Government;
       ``(G) the lack of therapeutic compounds for treatment of 
     the diseases of aquatic animals and plants;
       ``(H) the lack of reliable supplies of seed stock; and
       ``(I) the availability of additional species for commercial 
     production.
       ``(8) Many areas of the United States are suitable for 
     aquaculture, but are subject to land-use or water-use 
     management policies and regulations that do not adequately 
     consider the potential for aquaculture and may inhibit the 
     development of aquaculture.
       ``(9) In 1994, the United States ranked only ninth in the 
     world in aquaculture production based on total value of 
     products.
       ``(10) Despite the current and increasing importance of 
     private aquaculture to the United States economy and to rural 
     areas in the United States, Federal efforts to nurture 
     aquaculture development have failed to keep pace with the 
     needs of fish and aquatic plant farmers.
       ``(11) The United States has a premier opportunity to 
     expand existing aquaculture production and develop new 
     aquaculture industries to serve national needs and the global 
     marketplace.
       ``(12) United States aquaculture provides wholesome 
     products for domestic consumers and contributes significantly 
     to employment opportunities and the quality of life in rural 
     areas in the United States.
       ``(13)(A) Aquaculture is poised to become a major growth 
     industry of the 21st century.
       ``(B) With global seafood demand projected to increase 70 
     percent by 2025, and harvests from capture fisheries stable 
     or declining, aquaculture will have to increase production by 
     700 percent, a total of 77 million metric tons annually, to 
     meet that projection.
       ``(14)(A) In 1983, United States aquaculture production was 
     308,400,000 pounds with a farm gate value of $261,000,000.
       ``(B) In 1994, the industry produced 666,000,000 pounds 
     with a farm gate value of $751,000,000.
       ``(C) Aquaculture accounted for approximately 6 percent of 
     the total United States fish and shellfish harvest in 1994.
       ``(15)(A) In 1994, per capita consumption of aquatic foods 
     in the United States was 15 pounds per person per year.
       ``(B) Demand is projected to double by 2025.''.
       (b) Purpose.--Section 2(b) of the National Aquaculture Act 
     of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2801(b)) is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
       ``(2) establishing private aquaculture as a form of 
     agriculture for the purposes of programs of the 
     Department;'';
       (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the end; and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
       ``(5) establishing cultivated aquatic animals, plants, 
     microorganisms, and their products produced by private 
     persons and moving in commodity channels as agricultural 
     livestock, crops, and commodities; and
       ``(6) authorizing the establishment of a National 
     Aquaculture Information Center within the Department to 
     support the United States aquaculture industry;''.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       Section 3 of the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 
     U.S.C. 2802) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``the propagation'' and 
     all that follows through the period at the end and inserting 
     ``the controlled cultivation of aquatic plants, animals, and 
     microorganisms, except that the term does not include 
     private, for-profit ocean ranching of Pacific salmon in a 
     State in which the ranching is prohibited by law.'';
       (2) in paragraph (3), by inserting before the period at the 
     end the following: ``or microorganism'';
       (3) by redesignating paragraphs (7) through (9) as 
     paragraphs (9) through (11), respectively;
       (4) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs 
     (6) and (7), respectively;

[[Page S8268]]

       (5) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
       ``(5) Department.--The term `Department' means the United 
     States Department of Agriculture.''; and
       (6) by inserting before paragraph (9) (as redesignated by 
     paragraph (3)) the following:
       ``(8) Private aquaculture.--The term `private aquaculture' 
     means the controlled cultivation of aquatic plants, animals, 
     and microorganisms other than cultivation carried out by the 
     Federal Government or any State or local government.''.

     SEC. 4. NATIONAL AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT PLAN.

       Section 4 of the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 
     U.S.C. 2803) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(3)(B), by adding at the end the 
     following: ``including the development of best management 
     practices for maintaining water quality,'';
       (2) in subsection (e)--
       (A) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) the identification of efforts of States to improve 
     water quality through the development of best management 
     practices.''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Accomplishments in Aquaculture Programs.--Not later 
     than December 31, 1998, the Secretary, in collaboration with 
     the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior, 
     shall submit to Congress a report evaluating the actions 
     taken in accordance with subsection (d) with respect to the 
     Plan, and making recommendations for updating and modifying 
     the Plan. The report shall also contain a compendium on 
     Federal regulations relating to aquaculture.''.

     SEC. 5. NATIONAL AQUACULTURE INFORMATION CENTER.

       Section 5 of the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 
     U.S.C. 2804) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)(1)(B)--
       (A) by striking ``Secretary shall--'' and inserting 
     ``Secretary--'';
       (B) by redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) as clauses 
     (iii) and (iv), respectively;
       (C) by striking clause (i) and inserting the following:
       ``(i) may establish within the regional centers of 
     aquaculture established under section 1475(d) of the National 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
     1977 (7 U.S.C. 3322(d)), or within the institutions 
     affiliated with the regional centers, a means of 
     electronically compiling and accessing information for the 
     National Aquaculture Information Center;
       ``(ii) may establish, within the Department, a National 
     Aquaculture Information Center that shall--
       ``(I) serve as a repository and clearinghouse for the 
     information collected under subparagraph (A) and other 
     provisions of this Act;
       ``(II) carry out a program to notify organizations, 
     institutions, and individuals known to be involved in 
     aquaculture of the existence of the Center and the kinds of 
     information that the Center can make available to the public; 
     and
       ``(III) make available, on request, information described 
     in subclause (I) (including information collected under 
     subsection (e));'';
       (D) in clause (iii) (as redesignated by subparagraph (B))--
       (i) by inserting ``shall'' before ``arrange''; and
       (ii) by striking the comma and inserting a semicolon; and
       (E) in clause (iv) (as redesignated by subparagraph (B)), 
     by inserting ``shall'' before ``conduct''; and
       (2) in the first sentence of subsection (d), by striking 
     ``Interior,,'' and inserting ``Interior,''.

     SEC. 6. COORDINATION WITH THE AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY.

       Section 6(b) of the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 
     U.S.C. 2805(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (4), by inserting before the semicolon at 
     the end the following: ``, including information on best 
     management practices for maintaining water quality'';
       (2) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (3) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(7) facilitate improved communication and interaction 
     among aquaculture producers, the aquaculture community, the 
     Federal Government, and the coordinating group, establish a 
     working relationship with national organizations, commodity 
     associations, and professional societies representing 
     aquaculture interests.''.

     SEC. 7. AQUACULTURE COMMERCIALIZATION RESEARCH.

       The National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2801 et 
     seq.) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating sections 7 through 11 as sections 9 
     through 13, respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after section 6 the following:

     ``SEC. 7. AQUACULTURE COMMERCIALIZATION RESEARCH.

       ``(a) Assistance and Coordination.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may make grants and enter 
     into contracts with any person or governmental agency to 
     support the market development and commercialization of 
     aquaculture research and technology that--
       ``(A) demonstrates strong potential for accelerating the 
     transfer to the marketplace of aquaculture products, 
     processes, and technologies that can improve profitability, 
     production, efficiency, and sustainability of existing and 
     emerging aquaculture sectors;
       ``(B) will help the United States aquaculture industry to 
     be more competitive in the global marketplace; and
       ``(C) will facilitate the commercialization of promising 
     research and technologies deriving from existing aquaculture 
     research programs.
       ``(2) Cost share.--
       ``(A) Federal share.--Except as provided in subparagraph 
     (B), the Federal share of the cost of a grant or contract 
     under this section shall be 80 percent.
       ``(B) Remaining share.--The remaining share of the cost of 
     a grant or contract under this section may be--
       ``(i) in the form of cash or in-kind payments; and
       ``(ii) partially comprised of funds made available under 
     other Federal programs, except that the non-Federal share may 
     not be less than 10 percent of the cost of the grant or 
     contract.
       ``(b) Priorities.--In making grants or awarding contracts 
     under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give a higher 
     priority to--
       ``(1) highly focused, applied aquaculture research;
       ``(2) investigations of new aquaculture products or 
     processes that demonstrate a high potential for 
     commercialization;
       ``(3) market development programs for new or improved 
     aquaculture products or processes;
       ``(4) activities that have a strong potential to create 
     employment opportunities involving aquaculture;
       ``(5) other activities that accelerate the 
     commercialization of promising aquaculture technologies;
       ``(6) the extent to which the proposal promotes sustainable 
     aquaculture development; and
       ``(7) the extent to which the proposal includes 
     participation with a private aquaculture farm or business 
     that supplies products or services that are necessary for 
     aquaculture farming.
       ``(c) Competitive Review.--
       ``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant or 
     enter into a contract under subsection (a), a proposal shall 
     be competitively reviewed under procedures established by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(2) Competitive review panels.--A competitive review 
     panel shall be composed of individuals appointed by the 
     Secretary, at least 50 percent of whom work in private 
     aquaculture or have a demonstrated competence to objectively 
     evaluate the likelihood of a proposal being economically 
     successful or promoting economic success within the 
     aquaculture industry.
       ``(3) Evaluation.--The competitive review shall be based on 
     an evaluation of--
       ``(A) the quality of the proposal and the research 
     methodology;
       ``(B) the capability of the participating organization to 
     perform the proposed work;
       ``(C) the amount of matching funds provided by the 
     participating organization or obtained from non-Federal 
     sources;
       ``(D) in the case of a noncommercial entity, the existence 
     of a cooperative arrangement with a commercial entity; and
       ``(E) such other factors as the Secretary determines to be 
     appropriate.
       ``(d) Limitations.--
       ``(1) Regional aquaculture centers.--Not less than 40 
     percent of the amounts made available to carry out this 
     section for a fiscal year shall be used to carry out projects 
     that will facilitate the commercialization of research or 
     investigations funded or coordinated by regional aquaculture 
     centers established under section 1475(d) of the National 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
     1977 (7 U.S.C. 3322(d)).
       ``(2) Administrative expenses.--Not more than 3 percent of 
     the amounts made available to carry out this section for a 
     fiscal year may be used by the Secretary to pay the expenses 
     of administration and information collection and 
     dissemination.
       ``(3) Construction costs.--None of the funds made available 
     under this section may be used for the construction of a new 
     building or the acquisition, expansion, remodeling, or 
     alteration of an existing building (including site grading 
     and improvement and architect fees).
       ``(e) Reports.--An eligible entity that receives a grant or 
     enters into a contract with respect to a project carried out 
     under this section shall submit an annual progress report, 
     and a final report, to the Secretary that describes project 
     activities and commercial and economic accomplishments and 
     impacts.
       ``(f) Applicability of the Federal Advisory Committee 
     Act.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) and 
     title XVIII of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
     2281 et seq.) shall not apply to a panel or board created 
     solely for the purpose of reviewing applications or proposals 
     submitted under this section.''.

     SEC. 8. NATIONAL POLICY FOR PRIVATE AQUACULTURE.

       The National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2801 et 
     seq.) is amended by inserting after section 7 (as added by 
     section 7(2)) the following:

     ``SEC. 8. NATIONAL POLICY FOR PRIVATE AQUACULTURE.

       ``(a) Requirement.--In collaboration with the Secretary of 
     Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary 
     shall coordinate and implement a national policy for

[[Page S8269]]

     private aquaculture in accordance with this section.
       ``(b) Department of Agriculture Aquaculture Plan.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop and 
     implement a Department of Agriculture Aquaculture Plan 
     (referred to in this section as the `Department Plan') for a 
     unified aquaculture program of the Department to support the 
     development of private aquaculture.
       ``(2) Elements.--The Department Plan shall address--
       ``(A) programs of individual agencies of the Department 
     related to aquaculture that are consistent with Department 
     programs applied to other areas of agriculture, including 
     livestock, crops, products, and commodities under the 
     jurisdiction of agencies of the Department;
       ``(B) the treatment of commercially cultivated aquatic 
     animals as livestock and commercially cultivated aquatic 
     plants as agricultural crops; and
       ``(C) means for effective coordination and implementation 
     of aquaculture activities and programs within the Department, 
     including individual agency commitments of personnel and 
     resources.
       ``(c) National Aquaculture Information Center.--In carrying 
     out section 5, the Secretary may maintain and support a 
     National Aquaculture Information Center at the National 
     Agricultural Library as a repository for information on 
     national and international aquaculture.
       ``(d) Treatment of Aquaculture.--The Secretary shall 
     treat--
       ``(1) private aquaculture as agriculture for the purpose of 
     programs of the Department; and
       ``(2) commercially cultivated aquatic animals, plants, and 
     microorganisms, and products of the animals, plants, and 
     microorganisms, produced by private persons and transported 
     or moved in standard commodity channels as agricultural 
     livestock, crops, and commodities, respectively.
       ``(e) Private Aquaculture Policy Coordination, Development, 
     and Implementation.--
       ``(1) Responsibility.--The Secretary shall coordinate, 
     develop, and carry out policy and programs of the Department 
     related to private aquaculture.
       ``(2) Duties.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(A) coordinate all intradepartmental functions and 
     activities of the Department relating to private aquaculture; 
     and
       ``(B) establish procedures for the coordination of 
     functions, and consultation with, the coordinating group.''.

     SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--Section 12 of the National Aquaculture Act 
     of 1980 (as redesignated by section 7(1)) is amended by 
     striking the first sentence and inserting the following: 
     ``There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     Act (including the functions of the Joint Subcommittee on 
     Aquaculture established under section 6(a)) $3,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 1998 through 2002.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     take effect on October 1, 1997.

     SEC. 10. ELIGIBILITY OF AQUACULTURE FARMERS FOR FARM CREDIT 
                   ASSISTANCE.

       Section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
     Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)) is amended by striking 
     ``fish farming'' both places it appears in paragraphs (1) and 
     (2) and inserting ``aquaculture (as defined in section 3 of 
     the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2802))''.

     SEC. 11. INTERNATIONAL AQUACULTURE INFORMATION AND DATA 
                   COLLECTION.

       (a) In General.--Section 502 of the Agricultural Trade Act 
     of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5692) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(d) International Aquaculture Information and Data 
     Collection.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to establish 
     and carry out a program of data collection, analysis, and 
     dissemination of information to provide continuing and timely 
     economic information concerning international aquaculture 
     production.
       ``(2) Consultation.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
     Secretary shall consult with the Joint Subcommittee on 
     Aquaculture established under section 6(a) of the National 
     Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2805(a)), and 
     representatives of the United States aquaculture industry, 
     concerning means of effectively providing data described in 
     paragraph (1) to the Joint Subcommittee and the industry.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     take effect on October 1, 1997.

     SEC. 12. AQUACULTURE INFORMATION NETWORK REPORT.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall report to Congress on 
     the feasibility of expanding current information systems at 
     regional aquaculture centers established by the Secretary 
     under section 1475(d) of the National Agricultural Research, 
     Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
     3322(d)), universities, research institutions, and the 
     Agricultural Research Service to permit an on-line link 
     between those entities for the sharing of data, publication, 
     and technical assistance information involving aquaculture.

     SEC. 13. IMPLEMENTATION REPORT.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall 
     report to Congress on the progress made in carrying out this 
     Act and the amendments made by this Act with respect to 
     policies and programs of the Department of Agriculture.
       (b) Contents.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
     include--
       (1) a description of all programs and activities of the 
     Department of Agriculture and all other agencies and 
     Departments in support of private aquaculture;
       (2) the specific authorities for the activities described 
     in paragraph (1); and
       (3) recommendations for such actions as the Secretary of 
     Agriculture determines are necessary to improve recognition 
     and support of private aquaculture in each agency of the 
     Department of Agriculture.

  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I rise today to join my colleagues and 
friend from Hawaii, Senator Akaka, in the introduction of the National 
Aquaculture Development, Research, and Promotion Act of 1997.
  This important piece of legislation is designed to help make the 
United States competitive in the expanding world market for aquaculture 
products. The United States is poised to become the world leader in 
aquaculture, yet it remains far beyond other nations, including many 
with fewer resources and less developed infrastructure.
  Already there are more than 1,000 Idahoans whose jobs are either 
directly or indirectly connected to aquaculture. They represent a $92 
million industry for my home State: An industry committed to a cleaner 
environment, a safer food supply, and community development.
  However, much more lies ahead of us if the United States is to become 
a world leader in this growing industry. Despite recent growth, 
America's annual trade deficit in seafood remains stable at 
approximately $3 billion--a reduction of which could mean a stronger 
domestic industry, more jobs, and less dependency on others for our 
food supply.
  Mr. President, it is for these reasons I am pleased to join my 
colleague in introducing this measure today.
                                 ______