March 11, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 47 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E300-E301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE ADVANCING THE QUALITY AND UNDERSTANDING OF AMERICAN 
                        AQUACULTURE (AQUAA) ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. COLLIN C. PETERSON

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 11, 2020

  Mr. PETERSON. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the following 
letter from Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) reflecting their 
support for my recently introduced Advancing the Quality and 
Understanding of American Aquaculture (AQUAA) Act, H.R. 6191, which 
will enable the growth of sustainable U.S. marine aquaculture.

                                                   March 11, 2020.
       Dear Representative: We are contacting you regarding the 
     Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American 
     Aquaculture (AQUAA) Act, legislation sponsored by Reps. 
     Collin Peterson (D-MN) and Steven Palazzo (R-MS) that will 
     enable the growth of sustainable U.S. marine aquaculture.
       Demand for healthful, affordable, and sustainable protein 
     is increasing dramatically. Globally, aquaculture is one of 
     the fastest growing forms of food production. According to 
     the World Bank, by 2030, aquaculture's share in global 
     seafood production will expand to supply over 60% of fish for 
     human consumption, whereas wild-capture seafood production 
     will remain steady. Marine aquaculture requires no land, 
     minimal fresh water and a relatively small amount of space to 
     provide abundant, healthful seafood making it the most 
     efficient means of animal protein production. Further, farmed 
     seafood provides a source for local, traceable, affordable 
     meal options that benefit public health.
       The United States' long coastline, expansive Exclusive 
     Economic Zone (EEZ), skilled labor force, superior 
     technology, ample feed sources, and growing seafood market 
     put it at the top of the list of countries with aquaculture 
     potential. In fact, a doubling of U.S.

[[Page E301]]

     aquaculture production to about 1 million tons could create 
     an additional 50,000 direct and indirect jobs, assuming 20 
     direct jobs per 1,000 tons of seafood produced, or five jobs 
     per 1,000 tons in equipment, feeds, processing, marketing, 
     and food service. These jobs could provide stable, year-round 
     employment opportunities in coastal and fishing communities 
     where opportunities are often limited and seasonally 
     dependent.
       Unfortunately, the U.S. ranks only 16th globally in 
     aquaculture production. The problem? U.S. marine aquaculture 
     is constrained by regulatory hurdles, including overlapping 
     jurisdiction of federal, state, and local governments, and 
     the absence of a clearly-defined permitting process. As a 
     result, American investment, jobs, and technology are forced 
     overseas while our dependence on imported seafood continues 
     to rise--The U.S. now imports 91% of our seafood. Until 
     Congress acts, the economic, environmental and societal 
     benefits of aquaculture will remain inaccessible in the U.S.
       To remedy these challenges, the AQUAA Act establishes a 
     clear permitting process for U.S. marine aquaculture and 
     prioritizes environmental and societal health by establishing 
     National Standards for Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture. 
     AQUAA leverages modern siting and monitoring technologies to 
     mitigate impacts on other ocean-based industries and 
     ecosystems. It also provides for strict federal enforcement 
     and includes a process for robust public input which ensures 
     that coastal communities and states are considered prior to 
     permitting new operations. In short, AQUAA provides much-
     needed regulatory certainty for U.S. marine farmers while 
     also preserving the environment, local economies and public 
     health. AQUAA will lead to increased U.S. seafood production 
     that benefits ALL Americans.
       With quick action by the U.S. Congress, Americans may soon 
     see marine aquaculture become a reality for the betterment of 
     our businesses and of our citizens. Please contact us for 
     more details on how AQUAA might benefit your constituents.
           Sincerely,
                                 Stronger America Through Seafood.
       Bill Taylor and Bill Dewey, Taylor Shellfish, Shelton, WA; 
     Jessee Mitchell, Wenger, Sabetha, KS; Todd Madsen, Blue Ocen 
     Mariculture, Kona, HI; Max Holtzman, Pontos Aqua Advisory, 
     Washington, D.C.; Michael Cigliano, Santa Monica Seafood, 
     Santa Monica, CA; Bill DiMento, High Liner Foods, Portsmouth, 
     NH; Horace G. Dawson, Red Lobster Seafood Co., Orlando, FL; 
     Mark Frisch, Sea Best, Inc., Jacksonville, FL; David Kelly, 
     InnovaSea, Boston, MA; Chris Stock, Zeigler Bros., Inc., 
     Gardners, PA; Kathryn Unger, Cargill, Wayzata, MN; Tony Dal 
     Ponte, Pacific Seafood, Clackamas, OR; Sean O'Scannlain, 
     Fortune International, Bensenville, IL; Brad Christie, Sysco, 
     Houston, TX; Allen LeBalnc, Calysta, Menlo Park, CA; Omar 
     Alfi, Pacifico Aquaculture, San Diego, CA.

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