Date: 1983-06-13
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of title II. The title. which amends the National Aquaculture Act of 1980. does two principal things: First. it extends the authorization for appropriations for the 1980 act through fiscal years 1984. 1985. and 1986. and second. it amends the 1980 act to provide a better coordinated role for the Federal Government in promoting the development of aquaculture. Mr. Speaker. this legislation is the product of cooperative efforts by the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries and the Committee on Agriculture. This final version of H.R. 2676. which today is identified as title II of H.R. 2784. the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975. reflects the combined views and agreements of the membership of our respective committees. It is a pleasure to bring to this floor title II that takes into consideration the diverse interests. factors. and parties. resolves all differences. and results in a title acceptable to all. Mr. Speaker. first of all. I want to compliment my distinguished colleagues from the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheriesespecially Mr. BREAUx. the very able chairman of the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and the Environment. and the ranking minority member. Mr. FORSYTHE. Their interest in this legislation and their commitment to further the growth and development of a domestic aquaculture industry is to be commended. I had the privilege and the pleasure of testifying before their subcommittee when this title was being originally considered as H.R. 2670. It is important to note that although this title gives the Department of Agriculture the lead role in aquaculture. it nevertheless continues to protect the rights. interests. and roles of the Departments of Commerce and the Interior. Once again. I want to thank these gentlemen and their colleagues on the full committee. for their dedication and spirit of cooperation in helping us to bring this legislation to the House. Now. I would like to briefly explain why we are proposing changes in the 1980 act. The 1980 act was written at a time when there was no clear Federal aquaculture program. There was no clearly understood policy for coordinating the research and development activities necessary for a healthy and viable aquaculture industry. It now seems clear that in drafting that pioneering law. Congress made the mistake of failing to concentrate responsibility for the new Federal effort in a single place. The 1980 act made three officialsthe Secretaries of Agriculture. Commerce. and Interiorequally responsible for developing. implementing. and coordinating Federal aquaculture policy. But one of the lessons that history teaches us is that when a lot of people are in charge. nobody is really in charge. The failure to centralize the direction of the Federal effort in aquaculture hs become a substantial barrier to the effective implementation of the act. The result has been that no agency has taken the initiative to encourage and facilitiate an effective Federal aquaculture program. In the opinion of our Committee on Agriculturean opinion shared by the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheriestitle II embodies a better way to get the job done. The key to developing a really effective Federal effort to support private industry in developing aquaculture lies in providing better coordination and leadership. This is what title II does. First. the title moves to provide both improved coordination and leadership by selecting a single Federal official to take the lead in coordinating Government operations under the act. This official will be the Secretary of Agriculture. In addition. the title requires the Secretary to establish an Office of Aquaculture Coordination and Pevelopment within the USDA. Second. the title moves to make sure that the advice and guidance of private industry plays a major role in the program. The legislation establishes and outlines the funct ns and operation of a National Aquaculture Board made up of representatives of the aquacultui e industry and the public. Both committees which passed on title II believe that the board. as a national organization representing the views Df the private sector to officials of the Federal aquaculture program. will greatly improve the effectiveness of the Federal effort. Whfie the pending legislation designates the Department of Agriculture as the lead agency for aquaculture programs. the title also maintains important roles for the Departments of Commerce and the Interior. They must be encouraged to carry out their responsibilities and every effort must be made to be sure that Federal support for agriculture is carried out in a manner which is fair to all georgaphical areas and which deals equitably with both warm and estuarine species. Mr. Speaker. some may ask: "What is so important about developing a domestic aquaculture industry?" The answer is simple. It is important because development of this industry can create jobs and can bring substantial benefits to consumers and the national economy. At present. our fishery industries do not supply our full domestic demand. and we have a very great trade deficit in fishery products. If aquaculture production is fully developed in the United States. it can cut that trade deficit and can provide more ample consumer supplies at reasonable prices. Beyond that. the products of aquaculture can be a great strategic resourcethey can play a major role In the years ahead in meeting the worlds constantly growing protein needs. Mr. Speaker. I urge the Members to join me in support of title II II.R. 2784. as amended.e