Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 94 Part 1.djvu/1248

 94 STAT. 1198

PUBLIC LAW 96-362—SEPT. 26, 1980

Public Law 96-362 96th Congress An Act Sept. 26, 1980 [S. 1650]

-p^ provide for the development of aquaculture in the United States, and for other purposes.

National ^fTm ^''^

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the "National Aquaculture Act of 1980".

16 USC 2801 note.

FINDINGS, PURPOSE, AND POLICY

16 USC 2801.

SEC. 2. (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: (1) The harvest of certain species of fish and shellfish 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 50 per centum of its fish and shellfish, but this dependence on imports adversely affects the national balance of payments and contributes to the uncertainty of supplies. (3) Although aquaculture currently contributes approximately 10 per centum of world seafood production, less than 3 per centum of current United States seafood production results from aquaculture. Domestic aquacultural production, therefore, has the potential for significant growth. (4) Aquacultural production of aquatic plants can provide sources of food, industrial materials, pharmaceuticals, and energy, and can assist in the control and abatement of pollution. (5) The rehabilitation and enhancement of fish and shellfish resources are desirable applications of aquacultural 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 economic, legal, and production factors, such as inadequate credit, diffused legal jurisdiction, the lack of management information, and the lack of reliable supplies of seed stock. (8) Many areas of the United States are suitable for aquaculture, but are subject to land-use or water-use management policies that do not adequately consider the potential for aquaculture and may inhibit the development of aquaculture. (b) PURPOSE.—It is the purpose of this Act to promote aquaculture in the United States by— (1) declaring a national aquaculture policy; (2) establishing and implementing a national aquaculture development plan; and (3) encouraging aquaculture activities and programs in both the public and private sectors of the economy; that will result in increased aquacultural production, the coordination of domestic aquaculture efforts, the conservation and enhance-

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