More Agencies and Regulations

National Science Foundation NSF The Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) provides funding for aquaculture research Solicits high-quality research proposals from small business firms on important scientific or engineering problems

Small Business Administration SBA Independent federal agency created to assist, counsel and champion America’s small businesses, including aquaculture firms Provides assistance to firms in obtaining federal government contracts

Tennessee Valley Authority TVA created in 1933 Development of the Tennessee River system and land resources National Fertilizer and Environmental Research Center Research facility to evaluate artificial wetlands as biological filters for removing fertilizer nutrients Valley Resource Center Expertise to the private sector Agricultural Institute Promote new technologies

National Association Of State Aquaculture Coordinators NASAC Responsible for coordinating aquaculture programs at the state or territorial level Promote, encourage, and assist in the development of aquaculture in the US by enhancing communication among federal, state, local and tribal governmental agencies

USDA Regional Aquaculture Centers Congress established 5 centers Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, and Washington Conduct research, extension education, and demonstration projects that have national or regional applications Enhance viable, profitable commercial aquaculture production in the US

International Law Dates back to maritime laws (300 to 200 BC) The Third United Nations Conference of the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS III) convened in 1969 1982: convention was adopted

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 1966, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN organized first world conference on aquaculture Since then more conferences and seminars have been held

State and Local Laws Water Use The following are permits that can apply to aquaculture: Ground/surface water appropriation Tidal wetlands Non-tidal wetlands Submerged land leases Well construction Pond construction Waterway construction Water-quality certification

State and Local Laws Effluent Discharge Run by the EPA through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Farms culturing more than 20,000lbs of coldwater species and providing at least 5,000lbs of feed must apply for a discharge permit Solids Dissolved Oxygen pH Ammonia/nitrogen Phosphorus Biological oxygen demand (BOD) Toxics Permit parameters vary from state to state

State and Local Laws Production Permits relate more to the species being propagated and usually fall under the responsibility of Fish and Game Aquaculture permits Importation (shipping) Species permits Propagation/possession permits Collection permits Stocking permits The aquaculture permit is required simply to be in business

State and Local Laws Marketing Activities associated with marketing or processing In most areas, aquaculture permit is all that is required Wholesale fish dealers Retail sales license Processing/food establishments Fee-fishing (pay lake) license Shellfish depuration

Individual Responsibility It is the responsibility of the business owner to maintain permits The producer may need different permits for different sites depending on its location and impact to the environment