Continued from page 3

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service

Activities Related to Living Aquatic Resources. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) conducts specific research on some of the major problems of the farm aquaculture industry. Research is conducted at eight locations with the following objectives: (1) determine cause of off-flavors in catfish, (2) improve productivity, disease resistance, and quality of catfish through genetics and breeding, (3) develop efficient production systems for catfish, (4) develop DNA-based diagnostic health management systems, (5) develop systems to improve water use and effluent quality, and (6) develop diets based on grains for efficient shrimp production. Production problems of national importance are identified for research at workshops.

Statutory Authority. Agriculture and Food Act of 1981, Subtitle L -Aquaculture (7 U.S.C. 3321 et seq.); National Aquaculture Act of 1980, as amended (16 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.).

Ten-Year History of Budget and Personnel Level.

Fiscal Year	Aquaculture Funds	Staff Years (2)
1985	$1,084,000	4
1986	$1,756,000	4
1987	$2,156,000	4
1988	$2,359,000	7
1989	$3,196,000	6
1990	$4,237,000	9
1991	$5,787,000	9
1992	$7,138,000	12
1993	$7,027,000	12
1994	$6,997,000	12

Five-Year History of Personnel by Civil Service Grade. Not separately identified.

National Policy or Goals Studies. Available from Henry S. Parker, Director, Office of Aquaculture, USDA-Cooperative State Research Service, 342 Aerospace Center, Ag Box 2260, Washington, DC 20250-2260.

National Aquaculture Development Plan. Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture of the Federal Coordinating Council on Science, Engineering, and Technology. 2 volumes. September 1983.

Interagency and State-Federal Coordination Mechanisms. Contractual CAs have been negotiated between ARS and several State universities for specific research activities.

Periodic or Annual Reports. Animal Research Progress Reports.

Cooperative State Research Service

Activities Related to Living Aquatic Resources. The Cooperative State Research Service (CSRS) administers funds appropriated by Congress for aquaculture research carried out by the State agricultural experiment stations, the 1890 land-grant institutions and Tuskegee University, and other cooperating institutions.

Statutory Authority. National Aquaculture Act of 1980, as amended (16 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.); Agriculture and Food Act of 1981, Subtitle L - Aquaculture, as amended (7 U.S.C. 3321 et seq.).

Ten-Year History of Budget and Personnel Levels. Funds support extramural research at cooperating institutions. Federal staffing is 3.0 FTEs.

Fiscal Year	Aquaculture Research	Fiscal Year	Aquaculture Research
1986	$4,425,000	1991	$15,045,000
1987	$8,135,000	1992	$17,351,000
1988	$15,784,000	1993	$16,634,000
1989	$9,963,000	1994	$16,345,000
1990	$12,911,000	1995	$16,195,000

Five-Year History of Personnel by Civil Service Grade. Funds support extramural research involving scientists associated with cooperating institutions. From 1990-1994, Federal staffing for administration of these programs has been 2.0 FTEs (GM-15). Since 1994, staffing has been 2.0 FTEs (GM-15) and 1.0 FTE (GS-12).

National Policy or Goals Studies. Available from Henry S. Parker, Director, Office of Aquaculture, USDA-CSRS, 342 Aerospace Center, Ag Box 2260, Washington, DC 20250-2260.

a) National Aquaculture Development Plan . Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture of the Federal Coordinating Council on Science, Engineering, and Technology. 2 volumes. September 1983.

b) Aquaculture in the United States: Status, Opportunities, and Recommendations. JSA Report to the Federal Coordinating Council on Science, Engineering, and Technology, June 1993.

Interagency and State-Federal Coordination Mechanisms. The USDA coordinates its aquaculture activities with other Federal agencies through the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture (JSA) of the National Science and Technology Council in the Office of Science and Technology Policy. USDA chairs the JSA. The USDA Aquaculture Program Coordinator coordinates aquaculture programs in USDA. National and regional coordination of aquaculture programs in USDA is through the National Coordinating Council in cooperation with the USDA Regional Aquaculture Centers.

Periodic or Annual Reports. Annual progress reports of the Regional Aquaculture Centers. Periodic progress reports to the National Science and Technology Council by the JSA.

Extension Service and State Cooperative Extension Service (3)

Activities Related to Living Aquatic Resources. Extension activities conducted by the Extension Service (ES) and the State Cooperative Extension Service (CES) include aquaculture and related recreational and sport fishery management and conservation activities, primarily in freshwater. The Cooperative Extension System (combined Federal and State programs) uses research-based knowledge and new technologies from the land grant universities, USDA, and other programs to develop and deliver educational programs relevant to society to help landowners, managers, and end-users implement improved practices and make sound decisions for increased productivity, long-term economic and environmental sustainability, and quality of life.

Statutory Authority. Smith-Lever Act of 1914, as amended (7 U.S.C. 341 et seq.); Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1671 et seq.); National Aquaculture Act of 1980, as amended (16 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.); Food Security Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-198, Title 14, Subtitle L - Aquaculture, and Title 17, Subtitle D - National Aquaculture Improvement Act of 1985); Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, (P.L. 101-624, Subtitle L -Aquaculture, and §1475 - Research and Extension).

Ten-Year History of Budget and Personnel Levels. From FY1990 through FY1994, approximately 1.5 FTEs within ES have been dedicated to aquaculture and fisheries. Currently, State CESs are expending about 100 FTEs for aquaculture and fisheries. This has increased substantially during the past 10 years. Funding for these efforts is shared among Federal, State, and county sources, with the Federal portion predominantly from Smith-Lever Act funds. Since 1982, a small amount of Federal funding for recreational fishery management educational programs has come from the Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 program.

In September 1990, ES added 1.0 FTE for primarily aquaculture-related activities. Appropriations for the USDA Regional Aquaculture Center program have increased from $3 million in FY1987 to $4 million in FY1994. These Centers provide funding for regional research, extension, and demonstration projects.

Five-Year History of Personnel by Civil Service Grade. From FY1990 through FY1994, 1.5 FTEs at GM-14 and -15 have been involved. In September 1990, 1.0 FTE at the GM-14 level was added.

National Policy or Goals Studies. Available from James Miller and Gary Jensen, USDA-Extension Service, Ag Box 0916, Washington, DC 20250-0916.

a) USDA Statement of Aquaculture Policy, Secretary's Memorandum No. 2108, July 3, 1980.

b) USDA Fish and Wildlife Policy, Department Regulation 9500-4, August 22, 1983.

c) National Aquaculture Development Plan. Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture of the Federal Coordinating Council on Science, Engineering, and Technology. 2 volumes. September 1983.

d) USDA Science and Education Aquaculture Strategic Plan, 1994 (approval pending).

e) National Science and Technology Council, Subcommittee on Aquaculture, Strategic Implementation Plan, 1994 (draft).

Interagency and State-Federal Coordination Mechanisms. General MOUs provide for coordination between ES, Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service (DOC), and FWS (DOI) programs. Similar MOUs and, in some cases, CAs exist between FWS and State/Territory CESs. Several State CESs also have MOUs or CAs with their State fish and wildlife resource agency or other State agencies concerning aquaculture/fishery educational programs. These mechanisms aim to encourage and facilitate cooperation and coordination and to strengthen the capability of providing educational information/technology transfer on aquaculture/fisheries .

The Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture was reauthorized under the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. It serves as a Federal coordinating body to increase the overall effectiveness of Federal aquaculture research, technology transfer, and assistance programs. It now reports to the National Science and Technology Council as the Subcommittee on Aquaculture.

Periodic or Annual Reports. Although a number of excellent summary reports are produced by State CESs on aquaculture/fisheries, there are no regular Extension reports specifically on aquaculture/fishery programs and activities.

Farmers Home Administration

Activities Related to Living Aquatic Resources. The Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) provides loans and technical assistance to eligible farmers for farm-related purposes which include the purchase of equipment and facilities to produce fish, mollusks, or crustaceans under controlled conditions (i.e., aquaculture).

Statutory Authority. Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act of 1961, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.).

Ten-Year History of Budget and Personnel Levels. No staff positions or separately identifiable funding are associated with these aquaculture loans.

Five-Year History of Personnel by Civil Service Grade. No staff positions are devoted exclusively to the granting of aquaculture loans.

National Policy or Goals Studies. None

Interagency and State-Federal Coordination Mechanisms. The Farmers Home Administration coordinates its aquaculture activities with other Federal agencies through the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture of the Federal Coordinating Council on Science, Engineering, and Technology.

Periodic or Annual Reports. None

U.S. Forest Service

Activities Related to Living Aquatic Resources. Fishery and aquatic habitat activities related to national forests are conducted in separate research and management components. The anadromous fishery research program was initiated in 1975 as part of the Western Anadromous Fish Habitat Program of the Forest Service (FS). Smaller cold water fish habitat research programs are conducted in the Southwest and southern Appalachian Mountains. The FS has the responsibility to maintain and improve fishery habitat in national forests and grasslands, consistent with overall multiple-use objectives. The FS fishery and aquatic ecology program provides technical expertise to protect, restore, and enhance opportunities for use and enjoyment of aquatic ecosystems that include about 2 million acres of reservoirs, lakes, and ponds; and nearly 200,000 miles of perennial streams. Estimated angler expenditures of more than $2.2 billion generate almost $6.5 billion in economic output annually and provide about 121,000 full- and part-time jobs. The FS monitors fish habitat and populations to identify significant changes, determine the causes, and adjust management activities.

Statutory Authority. Both management and research -- Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.). Management -- Organic Administration Act of 1897; Title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act of 1937; Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960, as amended (16 U.S.C. 528 et seq.). Research -- Act of Sept. 21, 1944, ch. 412 (7 U.S.C. 2250), P.L. 89-106 (7 U.S. C. 450i), Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 1281 note and 7 U.S.C. 3221, 3291), Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1641 et seq.), and Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.).

Ten-Year History of Budget and Personnel Levels. Fishery habitat research is funded within the "Forest Environment Research" budget line item. Fishery management is primarily funded from the "Inland Fish," "Anadromous Fish," and "Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species (TES)" expanded budget line items. Total fishery funds, as such, cannot be specifically identified. Best estimates for funding, using the final allocated budget figures for each year, exclusive of TES funds, are provided. FTE data for management biologists are shown.

Fiscal Year	Fish Habitat Research	Management Fish Habitat Improvement	Management Salaries & Program Admin.	FTE	Totals
1985	$1,238,000	$5,609,000	$3,660,000	118	$10,507,000
1986	$1,220,000	$5,823,000	$3,660,000	117	$10,703,000
1987	$1,415,000	$6,300,000	$3,660,000	129	$11,375,000
1988	$1,704,000	$7,950,000	$9,083,000	154	$18,737,000
1989	$2,080,000	$16,101,000	$6,240,000	220+	$24,421,000
1990	$2,500,000	$12,233,720	$19,960,280	208	$34,694,000
1991	$3,800,000	$15,690,960	$25,601,040	239	$45,092,000
1992	$4,511,000	$17,293,040	$28,214,960	268	$50,019,000
1993	$4,495,000	$17,633,140	$28,769,860	300	$50,898,000
1994	$5,076,000	$19,137,000	$30,184,000	344	$54,397,000

NetPets® Main Page

contact information Legislation

The Fish Center