Federal Coordination and USDA Marine Aquaculture Support Programs

1. Federal Coordination and USDA Marine Aquaculture Support Programs Gary Jensen USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service Washington, DC gjensen@csrees.usda.gov Tel. 202-401-6802 Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

2. Presentation Topics • Federal Legislation • Interagency Initiatives • Highlights USDA Programs • Concluding Remarks Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

3. Trends in U.S. Consumption Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

4. Federal Legislation for National Aquaculture Policy and Interagency Coordination Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

5. National Aquaculture Act of 1980 • Cites national aquaculture policy to encourage the development of aquaculture in the United States • Establishes an interagency coordinating group, Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

6. Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture (JSA) Purpose to increase the overall effectiveness and productivity of Federal aquaculture research, transfer, and assistance Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

7. Today’s Subcommittee on Aquaculture Executive Office of President • National Science and Technology Council • Committee on Science • Subcommittee on Aquaculture Leadership • Chair, Department of Agriculture • Vice-chairs, Departments of Commerce and Interior • Executive Committee (multiple agencies) Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

8. JSA National Coordinating Task Forces • Working Group on Quality Assurance in Aquaculture Production (since 1990) • Shrimp Virus Task Force (1996-2004) • Aquaculture Effluents Task Force (1999-2005) • National Aquatic Animal Health Task Force on Aquaculture (since 2001) • Science and Technology Task Force (in development) All include marine aquaculture components Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

9. Advantages of Federal Coordinating Framework • Address issues of national scope and importance • Engage agencies with authorities and programs that impact outcomes • Mobilize stakeholder input and national expertise within a coordinated, systematic process Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

10. Evolution: USDA Aquaculture Support Programs Changing Clientele • Traditional agricultural producers (livestock, poultry, crops) • Fish farmers (catfish) • Aquaculture producers (not species specific) Aquaculture considered part of agriculture and defined as such for purposes of specific programs Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

11. Broad Mandate for USDA Programs Supporting Aquaculture Salinity of water (freshwater or seawater) not used as a criterion for access to most programs and services Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

12. Highlights of USDA Programs that Support Marine Aquaculture Development Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

13. Highlights USDA Programs Research Agricultural Research Service • In-house research arm • USDA scientists (60) and facilities • National Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture Research Center - WV • New National Marine Aquaculture Coldwater Center with University of Maine • Improved shellfish breeding and ecologically compatible management practices (OR) Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

14. ARS Aquaculture Program Nat’l Center for Cool & Cold Water Aquaculture Harry K. Dupree Nat’l Aquaculture Research Center Aquatic Animal HealthResearch Laboratory Thad Cochran Nat’l Warmwater Aquaculture Center 14 locations $37 million 28 projects AK HI Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

15. Highlights USDA Programs Research Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service • Primary extramural funding arm • Partnership with 108 land grant universities and colleges Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

16. CSREES Research Funding by Species (2002)

17. Highlights USDA ProgramsExtension and Outreach Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service • Federal partner with land grant universities in cooperative extension system • Joint USDA-NOAA National Aquaculture Extension Steering Committee • Joint USDA-NOAA National Aquaculture Extension Conferences Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

18. Regional Aquaculture Centers Integrating Research, Industry and Extension NORTHEASTERN NORTH CENTRAL Seattle, WA WESTERN Dartmouth, MA East Lansing, MI Stoneville, MS SOUTHERN Honolulu, HI TROPICAL & SUBTROPICAL Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

19. Highlights USDA ProgramsAquatic Animal Health Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Veterinary biologics licensing • International harmonization and import protocols • Export assistance with health certificates • Control and management programs for reportable pathogens • Disease diagnostic laboratories • National Animal Identification Program, including aquaculture Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

20. Highlights USDA ProgramsMarketing Agricultural Marketing Service • Country of Origin Labeling regulation for seafood • National Organic Standard Program • Marketing Research Program • Commodity Purchase Program Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

21. Highlights USDA ProgramsConservation Natural Resources Conservation Service • National Conservation Practice Standards • New 3-year trial Shellfish Aquaculture Management initiative • Environmental Quality Incentives Program • Financial and technical assistance • Support for environmentally sound and sustainable aquaculture practices Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

22. Concluding Remarks • Aquaculture supplies food and thus has contract with society (consumers) for responsible environmental stewardship and safe, wholesome products • Aquaculture needs strong, responsive government programs and enabling policies to advance and revolutionize our aquaculture heritage Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

23. Marine Aquaculture Will Grow • Wild harvest of seafood is hunting and gathering in a natural system • Technology makes fishing more efficient More wild species now have harvest restrictions and global supplies limited Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005

24. Vision for the Future global competitiveness environmental health sustainability animal and human health Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2005