I
103D CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4744
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, and for other
purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JULY 13, 1994
Ms. LAMBERT (for herself, Mr. THORNTON, Mr. EMERSON, Mr. STENHOLM,
Mr. MCCLOSKEY, Mr. HILLIARD, and Mr. BAKER of Louisiana) intro-
duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agri-
culture
A BILL
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, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the
‘‘National Aquaculture Development, Commercialization,
and Promotion Act of 1994’’.
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of
this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings and purpose.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. National aquaculture development plan.
Sec. 5. National Aquaculture Information Center and assignment of new pro-
grams.
Sec. 6. Coordination with the aquaculture industry.
Sec. 7. Aquaculture commercialization program.
Sec. 8. National policy for private aquaculture.
Sec. 9. Water quality assessment.
Sec. 10. Native American fishpond revitalization.
Sec. 11. Disaster assistance for aquaculture farms.
Sec. 12. Aquaculture education.
Sec. 13. International aquaculture scientific exchange.
Sec. 14. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 15. Eligibility of aquaculture farmers for farm credit assistance.
Sec. 16. International aquaculture information and data collection.
Sec. 17. Eligibility of aquaculture farms for emergency conservation program.
Sec. 18. Aquaculture information network report.
Sec. 19. Voluntary certification of quality standards.
Sec. 20. Implementation report.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) FINDINGS.—Subsection (a) of section 2 of the
National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2801) is
amended to read as follows:
‘‘(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following:
‘‘(1) The wild harvest or capture of certain sea-
food species exceeds levels of optimum sustainable
yield, thereby making it more difficult to meet the
increasing demand for aquatic food.
‘‘(2) To satisfy the domestic market for aquatic
food, the United States imports more than 59 per-
cent of its seafood. This dependence on imports ad-
versely affects the national balance of payments and
contributes to the uncertainty of supplies and prod-
uct quality.
‘‘(3) Although aquaculture currently contributes
approximately 16 percent by weight of world seafood
production, less than 9 percent by weight of current
United States seafood production results from aqua-
culture. As a result, domestic aquaculture produc-
tion 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 pollu-
tion.
‘‘(5) The rehabilitation and enhancement of fish
and shellfish resources are desirable applications of
aquaculture technology.
‘‘(6) The principal responsibility for the devel-
opment 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;
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 oppor-
tunity to expand existing aquaculture production
and develop new aquaculture industries to serve na-
tional 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) Since 1980, the United States trade defi-
cit in edible fishery products has increased by 48
percent, from $1,777,921,000 to $2,634,738,000 in
1991.
‘‘(14) Aquaculture is poised to become a major
growth industry of the 21st century. With global
seafood demand projected to increase 70 percent by
2025, and harvests from capture fisheries stable or
declining, aquaculture would have to increase pro-
duction by 700 percent, a total of 77 million metric
tons annually.
‘‘(15) Private aquaculture production in the
United States has increased an average of 20 per-
cent by weight annually since 1980, and is one of
the fastest growing segments of United States and
world agriculture.
‘‘(16) In 1990, private United States aqua-
culture production was 860,750,000 pounds, worth
$761,500,000, up from 203,178,000 pounds, worth
$191,977,000, in 1980.
‘‘(17) Since 1960, per capita consumption of
aquatic foods in the United States has increased by
49 percent to 14.9 pounds in 1991, and could reach
20 pounds by the year 2000. Total United States
demand is projected to double by 2020.’’.
(b) PURPOSE.—Subsection (b) of such section (16
U.S.C. 2801) is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(b) PURPOSE.—It is the purpose of this Act to pro-
mote aquaculture in the United States by—
‘‘(1) declaring a national aquaculture policy;
‘‘(2) establishing private aquaculture as a form
of agriculture;
‘‘(3) establishing cultivated aquatic animals,
plants, microorganisms, and their products produced
by private persons and moving in standard commod-
ity channels as agricultural livestock, crops, and
commodities;
‘‘(4) establishing the Department as the lead
Federal agency for the development, implementation,
promotion, and coordination of national policy and
programs for private aquaculture by—
‘‘(A) designating the Secretary as the per-
manent chairperson of a Federal interagency
aquaculture coordinating group;
‘‘(B) assigning overall responsibility to the
Secretary for coordinating, developing, and car-
rying out policies and programs for private
aquaculture; and
‘‘(C) authorizing the establishment of a
National Aquaculture Information Center with-
in the Department to support the United States
aquaculture industry; and
‘‘(5) encouraging—
‘‘(A) aquaculture activities and programs
in both the public and private sectors of the
economy of the United States;
‘‘(B) the creation of new industries and job
opportunities related to aquaculture activities;
‘‘(C) the reduction of the fisheries trade
deficit; and
‘‘(D) other national policy benefits deriving
from aquaculture activities.’’.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
Section 3 of the National Aquaculture Act of 1980
(16 U.S.C. 2802) is amended—
(1) in the matter before the paragraphs, by
striking ‘‘requires—’’ and inserting ‘‘requires:’’;
(2) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the
following new paragraph:
‘‘(1) The term ‘aquaculture’ means the con-
trolled cultivation of aquatic plants, animals, and
microorganisms. Such term does not include private
cultivation of Pacific salmon for profit in those
States where such cultivation is prohibited by law.’’;
(3) in paragraph (3), by inserting before the pe-
riod at the end the following: ‘‘or microorganism’’;
(4) by redesignating paragraphs (7) through
(9) as paragraphs (9) through (11), respectively;
(5) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as
paragraphs (6) and (7), respectively;
(6) by inserting after paragraph (4) the follow-
ing new paragraph:
‘‘(5) The term ‘Department’ means the United
States Department of Agriculture.’’; and
(7) by inserting before paragraph (9) (as redes-
ignated by paragraph (4)) the following new para-
graph:
‘‘(8) 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 gov-
ernment.’’.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT PLAN.
Section 4 of the National Aquaculture Act of 1980
(16 U.S.C. 2803) is amended—
(1) in the second sentence of subsection (c)—
(A) in subparagraph (A), by adding ‘‘and’’
at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘;
and’’ and inserting a period; and
(C) by striking subparagraph (C);
(2) in the second sentence of subsection (d), by
striking ‘‘Secretaries determine’’ and inserting ‘‘Sec-
retary, in consultation with the other Secretaries,
determines’’;
(3) in subsection (e)—
(A) by striking ‘‘Secretaries’’ and inserting
‘‘Secretary’’; and
(B) by inserting ‘‘and in consultation with
the other Secretaries and representatives of
other Federal agencies’’ after ‘‘coordinating
group’’; and
(4) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section:
‘‘(f) ACCOMPLISHMENTS
IN AQUACULTURE PRO-
GRAMS.—Not later than December 31, 1994, the Sec-
retary, in consultation 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 rec-
ommendations for updating and modifying the Plan. The
report shall also contain a compendium on Federal regula-
tions relating to aquaculture.’’.
SEC. 5. NATIONAL AQUACULTURE INFORMATION CENTER
AND ASSIGNMENT OF NEW PROGRAMS.
Section 5 of the National Aquaculture Act of 1980
(16 U.S.C. 2804) is amended—
(1) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ‘‘Secretar-
ies deem’’ and inserting ‘‘Secretary, in consultation
with the other Secretaries, considers’’;
(2) in subsection (c)(1)(B)—
(A) by striking clause (i) and inserting the
following new clause:
‘‘(i) establish, within the Department,
within the National Agricultural Library, a Na-
tional Aquaculture Information Center that
shall—
‘‘(I) serve as a repository and clear-
inghouse for the information collected
under subparagraph (A) and other provi-
sions 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 in-
formation that the Center can make avail-
able to the public; and
‘‘(III) make available, on request, in-
formation described in subclause (I) (in-
cluding information collected under sub-
section (e));’’; and
(B) in clause (ii), by striking the comma
and inserting a semicolon;
(3) in the first sentence of subsection (d), by
striking ‘‘Interior,,’’ and inserting ‘‘Interior,’’; and
(4) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section:
‘‘(e) ASSIGNMENT OF NEW PROGRAMS.—In consulta-
tion with representatives of the United States aquaculture
industry and in coordination with the Secretary of the In-
terior, the Secretary of Commerce, and the heads of other
appropriate Federal agencies, the Secretary shall assess
Federal aquatic animal health programs and make rec-
ommendations as to the appropriate assignment to Fed-
eral agencies of new programs, initiatives, and activities
in support of aquaculture and resource stewardship and
management.’’.
SEC. 6. COORDINATION WITH THE AQUACULTURE INDUS-
TRY.
Section 6(b) of the National Aquaculture Act of 1980
(16 U.S.C. 2805(b)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the
end;
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
‘‘(7) in order to facilitate improved communica-
tion and interaction among aquaculture producers,
the aquaculture community, the Federal Govern-
ment, and the coordinating group, establish a work-
ing relationship with—
‘‘(A) the industry advisory councils of the
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)); and
‘‘(B) national organizations, commodity as-
sociations, and professional societies represent-
ing aquaculture interests.’’.
SEC. 7. AQUACULTURE COMMERCIALIZATION PROGRAM.
The National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C.
2801 et seq.) is amended—
(1) by redesignating sections 7 through 11 as
sections 14 through 18, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after section 6 the following
new section:
‘‘SEC. 7. AQUACULTURE COMMERCIALIZATION PROGRAM.
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term
‘eligible entity’ means a private company, public or private
research or educational organization, regional center, Fed-
eral, State, or regional agency, or individual that is eligible
to receive a grant or enter into a contract under this sec-
tion.
‘‘(b) ASSISTANCE AND COORDINATION.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may make
grants and enter into contracts with eligible entities
to pay the Federal share of projects to support the
market development and commercialization of aqua-
culture research findings and technologies that—
‘‘(A) demonstrate strong potential for ac-
celerating the transfer to the marketplace of
aquaculture products, processes, and tech-
nologies that can improve profitability, produc-
tion efficiency, and sustainability of existing
and emerging aquaculture sectors;
‘‘(B) will help the United States aqua-
culture industry to be more competitive in the
global marketplace; and
‘‘(C) will facilitate the commercialization of
promising research and technologies deriving
from existing research programs.
‘‘(2) COST SHARE.—
‘‘(A) FEDERAL
SHARE.—Except as pro-
vided in subparagraph (B), the Federal share of
the cost of a project carried out under this pro-
gram shall be 80 percent.
‘‘(B) REMAINING SHARE.—The remaining
share of the cost of a project carried out under
this program may be—
‘‘(i) in the form of cash or in-kind
payments, or both; and
‘‘(ii) partially comprised of funds
made available under other Federal pro-
grams, except that the non-Federal share
of the project may not be less than 10 per-
cent of the cost of the project.
‘‘(c) PRIORITIES.—In making grants or entering into
contracts under subsection (b), the Secretary shall give
priority to—
‘‘(1) field testing, commercial field trials, mar-
ket development programs, and applications of aqua-
culture research to private aquaculture that would
promote the transfer of promising aquaculture tech-
nologies to the market place; and
‘‘(2) projects carried out under commercial con-
ditions at private, commercial aquaculture facilities.
‘‘(d) COMPETITIVE REVIEW.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible to receive a
grant or enter into a contract under subsection (b),
a proposal shall undergo competitive review.
‘‘(2) COMPETITIVE REVIEW PANELS.—A com-
petitive review panel shall be composed of individuals
appointed by the Secretary who understand the
aquaculture industry and sound business practices
and are qualified to objectively evaluate the likeli-
hood of a proposal being economically successful or
promoting economic success within the aquaculture
industry. Review panels shall equitably represent the
United States aquaculture community and shall be
developed in close consultation with aquaculture in-
dustry leaders.
‘‘(3) EVALUATION.—A competitive review panel
shall base an evaluation of a proposal under this
subsection on—
‘‘(A) the quality of the proposal and the
proposed methodology;
‘‘(B) the capability of the participating en-
tity to perform the proposed work;
‘‘(C) the potential for fostering commer-
cialization, job creation, and increased sales of
aquaculture products;
‘‘(D) the amount of matching funds pro-
vided by the supported entity or obtained from
non-Federal sources;
‘‘(E) the extent of collaboration with other
Federal and State programs;
‘‘(F) the existence of a sound business
plan that reasonably projects the benefits of the
support being requested;
‘‘(G) in the case of a noncommercial en-
tity, the existence of a cooperative agreement
with a commercial entity;
‘‘(H) whether the project would promote
responsible environmental stewardship; and
‘‘(I) such other factors as the competitive
review panel determines to be appropriate.
‘‘(e) LIMITATIONS.—
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATIVE
EXPENSES.—Not more
than 3 percent of the amounts made available to
carry out this section during a fiscal year may be
used by the Secretary for the expenses of adminis-
tration and information collection and dissemination.
‘‘(2) CONSTRUCTION
COSTS.—None of the
funds made available under this section may be used
for the construction of a new building or the acquisi-
tion, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an exist-
ing building (including site grading and improve-
ment and architect fees).
‘‘(f) REPORTS.—An eligible entity that receives a
grant or enters into a contract under a project carried out
under this section shall submit an annual progress report,
and a final report, to the Secretary that—
‘‘(1) describes project activities and commercial
and economic accomplishments and impacts; and
‘‘(2) in the case of an annual progress report,
includes a project plan for the subsequent year.
‘‘(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There
are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are nec-
essary to carry out 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 new section:
‘‘SEC. 8. NATIONAL POLICY FOR PRIVATE AQUACULTURE.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation
with the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Inte-
rior, and the heads of other agencies, as appropriate, shall
coordinate and implement a national policy for private
aquaculture in accordance with this section.
‘‘(b) DEPARTMENT AQUACULTURE PLAN.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall develop
and implement a Department Aquaculture Plan (re-
ferred to in this section as the ‘plan’) for a unified
Department aquaculture program to support the de-
velopment of private United States aquaculture.
‘‘(2) ELEMENTS
OF
PLAN.—The plan shall
address—
‘‘(A) individual agency programs related to
aquaculture in the Department that are consist-
ent with Department programs applied to other
agricultural programs, livestock, crops, prod-
ucts, and commodities under the jurisdiction of
Department agencies;
‘‘(B) the treatment of cultivated aquatic
animals as livestock and cultivated aquatic
plants as agricultural crops; and
‘‘(C) means for effective coordination and
implementation of aquaculture activities and
programs within the Department, including in-
dividual agency commitments of personnel and
resources.
‘‘(3) DEADLINE.—Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of the National Aquaculture
Development, Research, and Promotion Act of 1994,
the Secretary shall submit the plan to Congress.
‘‘(4) REPORTS.—Not later than 1 year after the
date of the submission of the plan pursuant to para-
graph (3), and annually thereafter, the Secretary
shall report to Congress on actions taken to imple-
ment the plan during the year preceding the date of
the report.
‘‘(5) NATIONAL
AQUACULTURE
INFORMATION
CENTER.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out sec-
tion 5, the Secretary may maintain and support
a National Aquaculture Information Center (re-
ferred to in this paragraph as the ‘Center’) as
a repository for information on national and
international aquaculture.
‘‘(B) PUBLIC ACCESS.—Information in the
Center shall be made available to the public.
‘‘(C) INTERNATIONAL
EXCHANGE.—The
head of the Center shall arrange with foreign
nations for the exchange of information relating
to aquaculture and shall support a translation
service.
‘‘(D) SUPPORT.—The Center shall provide
direct support to the coordinating group.
‘‘(c) 
NATIONAL
AQUACULTURE
DEVELOPMENT
PLAN.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of the National Aquaculture
Development, Research, and Promotion Act of 1994,
the Secretary shall revise the National Aquaculture
Development Plan required to be established under
section 4.
‘‘(2) COORDINATION.—The Secretary shall inte-
grate and coordinate the aquaculture and related
missions, major objectives, and program components
of individual aquaculture plans of the coordinating
group members.
‘‘(3) SUBMISSION
TO
CONGRESS.—Not later
than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Na-
tional Aquaculture Development, Research, and Pro-
motion Act of 1994, the Secretary shall submit a re-
vised Plan to Congress.
‘‘(4) UPDATES.—Not later than 5 years after
the date of the submission of the revised Plan pursu-
ant to paragraph (3), and annually thereafter, the
Secretary shall revise the National Aquaculture De-
velopment Plan.
‘‘(d) TREATMENT
OF
AQUACULTURE.—The Sec-
retary shall, for all purposes, treat—
‘‘(1) private aquaculture as a form of agri-
culture; and
‘‘(2) cultivated aquatic animals, plants, and
microorganisms, and products of the animals, plants,
and microorganisms, produced by private persons
and moving in standard commodity channels as agri-
cultural livestock, crops, and commodities.
‘‘(e) RESOLUTION OF INTERAGENCY CONFLICT.—In
consultation with representatives of affected Federal agen-
cies, the Secretary shall be responsible for resolving any
interagency conflict in the coordination or implementation
of the policy described in this section.
‘‘(f) PRIVATE AQUACULTURE POLICY COORDINA-
TION, DEVELOPMENT, AND IMPLEMENTATION.—
‘‘(1) RESPONSIBILITY.—The Secretary shall
have overall responsibility for coordinating, develop-
ing, and carrying out policies and programs for pri-
vate aquaculture.
‘‘(2) DUTIES.—The Secretary shall—
‘‘(A) coordinate all intradepartmental func-
tions and activities relating to private aqua-
culture;
‘‘(B) establish procedures for the coordina-
tion of functions, and consultation, with the co-
ordinating group; and
‘‘(C) recommend to the National Agricul-
tural Library methods by which the aquaculture
resources of the Library can be made more eas-
ily retrievable and can be more widely dissemi-
nated.
‘‘(3) LIAISON.—
‘‘(A) AGENCIES OF THE DEPARTMENT.—
To facilitate communication and interaction be-
tween the aquaculture community and the De-
partment, the head of each agency of the De-
partment shall, if requested by the Secretary,
designate an officer or employee of the agency
to be the liaison of the agency with the Sec-
retary.
‘‘(B) DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE AND
THE
INTERIOR.—The Secretary of Commerce
and the Secretary of the Interior shall each des-
ignate an officer or employee of their respective
Departments to be the liaison of their respec-
tive Departments with the Secretary.’’.
SEC. 9. WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT.
The National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C.
2801 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 8 (as
added by section 8) the following new section:
‘‘SEC. 9. WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT.
‘‘(a) ASSESSMENT.—The Administrator of the Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency is authorized to carry out,
in collaboration with the Secretary, collaborative inter-
agency programs that demonstrate the application of
aquaculture to environmental enhancement and assess-
ment, including a program to assess the environmental im-
pact of waterborne contaminants on naturally occurring
aquatic organisms and ecosystems using aquaculture-
raised organisms to serve as an indicator of environmental
pollution.
‘‘(b) GRANTS; COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—The
Administrator may provide grants or enter into coopera-
tive agreements or contracts with private research organi-
zations for research and demonstration of the technology
authorized by this section.’’.
SEC. 10. NATIVE AMERICAN FISHPOND REVITALIZATION.
The National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C.
2801 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 9 (as
added by section 9) the following new section:
‘‘SEC. 10. NATIVE AMERICAN FISHPOND REVITALIZATION.
‘‘(a) DEFINITION OF NATIVE AMERICAN.—As used
in this section, the term ‘Native American’ means—
‘‘(1) an Indian, as defined in section 4(d) of the
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance
Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(d));
‘‘(2) a Native Hawaiian, as defined in section
8(3) of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Act of
1988 (42 U.S.C. 11707(3)) or section 815(3) of the
Native 
American 
Programs 
Act 
(42 
U.S.C.
2992c(3));
‘‘(3) an Alaska Native, within the meaning pro-
vided for the term ‘Native’ in section 3(b) of the
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C.
1602(b)); and
‘‘(4) a Pacific Islander, within the meaning of
the Native American Programs Act of 1974 (42
U.S.C. 2991 et seq.).
‘‘(b) AUTHORIZATION OF PROGRAM.—The Secretary
of Agriculture is authorized to carry out a program to revi-
talize fishponds used by Native Americans to cultivate
aquatic species.
‘‘(c) GRANTS; COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—The
Secretary may provide grants or enter into cooperative
agreements with individuals and organizations, including
Native American organizations, to promote fishpond revi-
talization. Funds provided under this section may be used
to engage in fishpond research, pond culture technology
development, the application of traditional pond culture
techniques and modern aquaculture practices to ancient
fishponds, technical assistance and technology transfer,
and such other activities as the Secretary determines are
appropriate.’’.
SEC. 
11. 
DISASTER 
ASSISTANCE 
FOR 
AQUACULTURE
FARMS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2244 of the Food, Agri-
culture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C.
1421 note) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)(1)(A)(ii), by inserting ‘‘, if
applicable,’’ after ‘‘subsection (d)(2) for such crop’’;
and
(2) in subsection (d)(1), by inserting ‘‘and cul-
tivated aquatic species,’’ after ‘‘was not available for
crop year 1990,’’.
(b) LIMITATION.—The amendments made by sub-
section (a) shall apply only to the extent appropriations
are made available after the date of enactment of this Act
to carry out the amendments.
(c) ELIGIBILITY.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, aquaculture producers shall be eligible for dis-
aster assistance for 1993 crop losses under the same terms
and conditions as are specified in chapter 3 of subtitle B
of title XXII of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 1421 note).
SEC. 12. AQUACULTURE EDUCATION.
The National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C.
2801 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 10 (as
added by section 10) the following new section:
‘‘SEC. 11. AQUACULTURE EDUCATION.
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section:
‘‘(1) POSTSECONDARY
VOCATIONAL
INSTITU-
TION.—The term ‘postsecondary vocational institu-
tion’ has the same meaning given the term by sec-
tion 481(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1088(c)), except that the term only in-
cludes an institution that awards an associates de-
gree but does not award a bachelor’s degree.
‘‘(2) SECONDARY SCHOOL.—The term ‘second-
ary school’ has the same meaning given the term by
section 1471(21) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 2891(21)).
‘‘(b) AUTHORIZATION OF PROGRAM.—The Secretary
is authorized to establish a program to expand and im-
prove instruction, on aquaculture and the basic principles
of aquaculture farming, in the agriculture curriculum for
students attending secondary schools and postsecondary
vocational institutions.
‘‘(c) GRANTS AND CURRICULUM.—In carrying out
subsection (b), the Secretary may—
‘‘(1) make grants to—
‘‘(A) establish and maintain aquaculture
learning centers in secondary schools and post-
secondary vocational institutions;
‘‘(B) 
promote 
aquaculture 
technology
transfer; and
‘‘(C) educate consumers and the public
concerning the benefits of aquaculture; and
‘‘(2) develop curriculum and supporting mate-
rials on aquaculture farming, field test the content
of the curriculum, and supply training to educators
at secondary schools and postsecondary vocational
institutions on the aquaculture curriculum and ma-
terials developed.
‘‘(d) PRIORITY FOR GRANTS.—In awarding grants
under subsection (c)(1), the Secretary shall give priority
to—
‘‘(1) the ability of the proposed aquaculture
learning center to gain access to—
‘‘(A) a commercial aquaculture farm;
‘‘(B) a regional aquaculture center estab-
lished by the Secretary under section 1475(d)
of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 3322(d));
‘‘(C) an aquaculture research facility; or
‘‘(D) a similar venture that would afford
students the opportunity to experience aqua-
culture research and development or commer-
cialization;
‘‘(2) the ability of the center to achieve out-
reach to minority audiences or students in inner-city
schools;
‘‘(3) the ability of the center to foster aware-
ness of aquaculture among consumers and the gen-
eral public;
‘‘(4) the ability of the center to serve as an
aquaculture education facility for visiting students
participating in a field trip or a similar educational
experience for inservice training; and
‘‘(5) the level of assistance to be provided from
non-Federal sources.
‘‘(e) LIMITATION.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), a grantee may not receive a grant under
this section for more than 5 fiscal years.
‘‘(2) WAIVER.—In the case of grantees that re-
ceive grants under this section for fiscal year 1995,
the Secretary may waive the application of para-
graph (1) to the grantees for the fiscal year if the
Secretary determines that the application of para-
graph (1) to the grantees would result in the termi-
nation of an excessive number of grants.’’.
SEC. 13. INTERNATIONAL AQUACULTURE SCIENTIFIC EX-
CHANGE.
The National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C.
2801 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 11 (as
added by section 12) the following new section:
‘‘SEC. 12. INTERNATIONAL AQUACULTURE SCIENTIFIC EX-
CHANGE.
‘‘(a) DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—As used in
this section, the term ‘eligible entity’ means a regional
aquaculture center, college, university, or nonprofit orga-
nization engaged in aquaculture research and education
in the United States or a foreign country.
‘‘(b) GRANTS.—The Secretary may make grants to
eligible entities to defray the cost, in whole or in part, of
allowing aquaculture researchers and aquaculture tech-
nologists to engage in research, education, and demonstra-
tion at the eligible entities for periods of up to 2 years.
‘‘(c) FUNDING.—The Secretary may use proceeds
from the payments referred to in section 104(a) of the
Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of
1954 (7 U.S.C. 1704(a)) to carry out this section.’’.
SEC. 14. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
The first sentence of section 17 of the National Aqua-
culture Act of 1980 (as redesignated by section 7(1)) is
amended to read as follows: ‘‘There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this Act to the Department
$2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1995 and 1996 (of
which not less than $500,000 shall be used for each fiscal
year to carry out the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture
established under section 6(a)), to the Department of
Commerce $500,000 for each of fiscal years 1995 and
1996, and to the Department of the Interior $500,000 for
each of fiscal years 1995 and 1996.’’.
SEC. 15. ELIGIBILITY OF AQUACULTURE FARMERS FOR
FARM CREDIT ASSISTANCE.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 343 of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991) is
amended by striking ‘‘fish farming’’ both places it appears
in paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting ‘‘aquaculture (as
the term is defined in section 3(1) of the National Aqua-
culture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2802(1)))’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by
subsection (a) shall become effective on October 1, 1994.
SEC. 16. INTERNATIONAL AQUACULTURE INFORMATION
AND DATA COLLECTION.
Section 502 of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978
(7 U.S.C. 5692) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new subsection:
‘‘(d) INTERNATIONAL AQUACULTURE INFORMATION
AND DATA COLLECTION.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary is authorized
to establish and carry out a program of data collec-
tion, analysis, and dissemination of information to
provide continuing and timely economic information
concerning international aquaculture production.
‘‘(2) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out para-
graph (1), the Secretary shall consult with the Joint
Subcommittee on Aquaculture established under sec-
tion 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.’’.
SEC. 17. ELIGIBILITY OF AQUACULTURE FARMS FOR EMER-
GENCY CONSERVATION PROGRAM.
Section 401 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978
(16 U.S.C. 2201) is amended—
(1) by inserting ‘‘or aquaculture farms’’ after
‘‘farmlands’’ both places it appears; and
(2) by inserting ‘‘or aquaculture farm’’ after
‘‘land’’ each place it appears.
SEC. 18. 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 informa-
tion 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 in-
stitutions, and the National Agricultural Library to permit
an on-line link between those entities for the sharing of
data, publication, and technical assistance information in-
volving aquaculture.
SEC. 19. VOLUNTARY CERTIFICATION OF QUALITY STAND-
ARDS.
The National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C.
2801 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 12 (as
added by section 13) the following new section:
‘‘SEC. 13. VOLUNTARY CERTIFICATION OF QUALITY STAND-
ARDS.
‘‘The Secretary shall develop, in consultation with
representatives of the aquaculture industry, a plan for vol-
untary certification of guidelines to ensure the quality of
aquatic species subject to this Act in order to promote the
marketing and transportation of aquaculture products.’’.
SEC. 20. 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.
(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 agen-
cies and Departments in support of private aqua-
culture;
(2) the specific authorities for the activities de-
scribed in paragraph (1); and
(3) recommendations for such actions as the
Secretary of Agriculture determines are necessary to
improve recognition and support of private aqua-
culture in each agency of the Department of Agri-
culture.
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HR 4744 IH——2
HR 4744 IH——3