National Association of State Aquaculture Coordinators
Volume 2, Edition 4 March 1994


AQUACULTURE QUALITY ASSURANCE SATELLITE TELECONFERENCE

On May 24, 1994 Auburn University will serve as host satellite uplink site for a national teleconference on aquaculture quality assurance. The program will begin at 1:00 p.m. Central Time Zone (Daylight Savings Time) and is scheduled for 2 hours. The program will feature taped segments depicting various aquaculture sectors and will include a live segment with industry and university representatives. There will also be a live interactive session.  You are encouraged to serve as a downlink site coordinator and assemble producers, processors and others interested in quality assurance  issues. Some states will be planning a luncheon in conjunction with this program and will also conduct workshops customized for local issues relating to this topic. Flyers are available for you to reproduce and mail to potential participants in your state or area.

For more details call Marty Brunson (601/325-1701), Michael Masser (205/844-9312) or John Jensen (205/844-9211).

AQUACULTURE VIDEOS

"Can Do Catfish" funded by USDA Southern Regional Aquaculture  Center in cooperation with Texas Agricultural Extension Service,  length - 14:28 minutes. Available from USDA Regional Aquaculture  Center extension contacts.

"Aquaculture Quality Assurance" funded by Extension Service-USDA in   cooperation with Mississippi State University and others, 14:00  minutes. Available from
Marty Brunson
Mississippi Cooperative  Extension Service
P.O. Box 5446
Mississippi State University, MS 39762

or call (601) 325-1701 or Internet email:
martyb@mces.msstate.edu
Cost is $10 per tape; $50 per 3/4-inch submaster; $75 or Betacam submaster. With submaster you can make as many tapes as needed.

WORKSHOPS/MEETINGS

The Seafood HACCP Alliance in cooperation with regional meetings of  the Association of Food and Drug Officials will be conducting 1/2  day sessions relating to plans for training and educating the  nation's seafood processors on adoption of HACCP principles and  requirements associated with any mandatory seafood inspection regulation. Your participation is welcome if you have an interest in participating or learning more about this initiative. The intent is to foster understanding and cooperation necessary to fulfill the educational program proposed to the National Sea Grant Office. This program combines the mutual interests of industry, regulatory agencies and the educational networks available through extension services. The following meetings are planned. Contact the person(s) indicated for more details.

April 11, 1994 - Natchez, MS; Ramada Inn Hilltop; 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.; contact Mike Moody, LSU at 504/388-2180 or Steve Otwell, U. Florida at 904/392-4221.

May 17, 1994 - Bismark, ND; site TBD; contact Don Kramer U. Alaska at 907/274-9691.

May 24, 1994 - Melville, Long Island, NY; Radisson Plaza Hotel' 9:00 a.m - noon; contact George Flick Virginia Tech U. at 703/231-
6965.

June 21, 1994 - Portland, ME; Holiday Inn by the Bay; afternoon; contact Steve Otwell, U. Florida at 904/392-4221 or 1991.

April 19, 1994 - Private Rights vs. Public Interests: Who Decides the Fate of the Changing Coast, Charleston, SC. For more
information contact: Elaine Knight, S.C. Sea Grant, 287 Meeting St., Charleston, SC 29401. Workshop intended to explore debate over private rights and environmental protection.

April 21-23, 1994 - 2nd New England Farmed Fish Health Workshop, Eastport, ME; Marine Trade Center; , including tour of aquaculture facilities. For more details contact: Mike Opitz at 207/581-2771 or Internet email: mopitz@umce.umext.maine.edu Especially good for persons interested in salmonid and Northeast fish health issues.

Workshops on "Expanding Team Strategies in Food Safety Education:
Eastern Workshop - May 1-3, 1994 - Indianapolis, IN
Western Workshop - May 12-14, 1994 - Denver, CO
These workshops are for interdisciplinary teams of educators from Cooperative Extension and other state agencies. For more
information contact: Jane Freyenberger, Extension Foods and Nutrition, Rm. 244 Justin Hall - KSU, Manhatten, KS 66506-1407 or
Internet email: freyja@ksuvm.ksu.edu

September 29 - 30, 1994 - Drugs in Aquaculture Workshop: Current Status - Future Goals, Bethesda, MD; Holiday Inn, 8120 Wisconsin Ave. (301/ 652-2000) sponsored by the National Research Support Project #7 (formerly IR-4 Minor Drug Use Project) and FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. Workshop goal is to inform participants of the latest developments in regulations governing drug use in aquaculture, to evaluate the current status of registration of drugs, and to provide participants the opportunity to exchange ideas related to this growing industry. For more details contact: Robert E. Holland at (517) 353-5590.

CALL FOR PAPERS - AQUACULTURE '95

This is another opportunity to share your wisdom and expertise with others. The call for papers announcement has been distributed for this triennial meeting (last one in Orlando) sponsored by Fish Culture Section - AFS, World Aquaculture Society and National Shellfisheries Association. Dates are February 1-4, 1995 in San Diego, CA. Deadline for submitting abstracts is JULY 15, 1994.
For more information call (206) 547-6030.

PUBLICATIONS

Aquabusiness - Financing Is Difficult, But Some Financial and Other Assistance Is Available from USDA, November 1993, GAO Testimony on Senate Bill 1288. Provides information on USDA lending programs and issues relating to financing, including listing of FmHA loans between Oct 1990 and July 1993 by state, number and amounts. For a free single copy contact: U. S. General Accounting Office, P.O. Box 6015, Gaithersburg, MD 20884-6015 or call (202) 512-6000. Multiple copies can be obtained from: Karla Springer, Senior Evaluator, GAO at (202) 254-6100.

Selective Breeding of Fishes in Asia and the United States, edited by K. Main and E. Reynolds. Proceedings of Workshop May 3-7, 1993, Honolulu, HI, p. 267. Copies available for $5 payable to The Oceanic Institute. Write: The Oceanic Institute, Makapuu Point, P.O. Box 25280, Honolulu, HI 96825 or call (808) 259-7951.

Developing a Mariculture Business in Alaska: Information and  Resources, 1993 by R. RaLonde and B. Paust, publication AN-15, 40 p. Cost $2.40 - 4.00 depend number of copies. For details contact: Alaska Sea Grant College Program, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775-5040. Also request copy of brochure on Aquaculture Publications & Videos, Oct. 1993.

Management of Fish-Eating Birds on Fish Farms, a symposium proceedings jointly sponsored by National Aquaculture Association and National Audubon Society held January 1993 in New Orleans, LA, 51 p. Copies available from National Aquaculture Association, P. O. Drawer 1569, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 or tel. (800) 626-3301. Cost is $5 for members and $7.50 for non-members.

Quality Control & Quality Assurance for Seafood, Proceedings of Conference, May 16-18, 1993, New Port, OR, edited by G. Sylvia, A. Shriver and M. Morrissey, Oregon Sea Grant publication ORESU-W-93-001, p. 169. For more details contact Oregon Sea Grant at (503) 737-2714.

North American Breeding Bird Survey Annual Summary 1990-1991 by B. Peterjohn and J. Sauer, Bird Populations, Vol. 1 (1993):1-15. This publication is also available from the Fish & Wildlife Reference Service, 1-800-582-3421. There may be a charge for latter source.

Raceway Density and Water Flow as Factors Affecting Spring Chinook Salmon During Rearing and After Release reprint from Aquaculture 119 (1994):210-217 available from J. Banks, USFWS, Abernathy Salmon Culture Technology Center, 1440 Abernathy Road, Longview, WA 98632.

North Central Regional Aquaculture Industry Situation and Outlook Report, Volume 1, August 1993 by North Central Regional Aquaculture Center, p. 19. For copy contact RAC Extension contact or Joe Morris at (515) 294-4622 or Internet email: jemorris@iastate.edu

SEA GRANT INITIATIVE ON MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY

NOAA Sea Grant will be funding 1994 projects relating to marine  biotechnology. The available funding to be awarded is $3.2 million. Proposals are in stage of peer review evaluations. It is anticipated that numerous projects funded will related to advancing research to support the development of aquaculture. For more information on this initiative contact David Attaway at 301/713-2451.

REGIONAL AQUACULTURE INAD COORDINATOR NAMED

Jim Warren, formerly with USFWS, has been named Regional INAD Coordinator for Pacific Northwest Region. He will assume duties March 21, 1994. He can be reached at 503/326-7031 (tel.) or 503/326-7033 (fax). He will be working out of Portland, OR and will be assisting conservation agencies, tribal and private producers with INADs in a consolidated Regional approach as recommended by FDA. This effort will involve a fee-based service. INADs for oxytetracycline feed additive, formalin as a fungicide on fish and chloramine-T for bacterial gill disease will be first priorities.

OTHER SATELLITE PROGRAMS

"Planning Aquaculture Development", April 1994 and "Rabbitfish Culture", April 1994 coordinated by David Crisostomo, Guam Cooperative Extension. Last program was on Tilapia Culture. For more information or copies of seminar on audio tape or transcribed text, contact David at (671) 734-6842 (fax) or Internet email: dcrisostomo@uog.pacific.edu

FEDERAL SCENE

- SUBCOMMITTEE MARKUP - MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION

House Subcommittee marked up HR2760 a bill to authorize the Marine Mammal Protection Act for a period of 6 years, to establish a new regime to govern the incidental taking of marine mammals in the course of commercial fishing operations and other purposes. A six-month stop-gap extension was enacted last year just before the accidental capture exemption's Oct. 1 expiration date. The  exemption is set to expire April 1, 1994. The implication for aquaculture is that this exemption also permitted under NMFS jurisdiction the taking of certain marine mammals (seals) that damaged or created economic losses in salmon net-pen operations. Because of the public and political sensitivity associated with lethally-controlling marine mammal predators, this practice will likely no longer be an option for seal predator control in net-pen operations after April 1, 1994.

- 1994 NEW CO-SPONSORS OF SENATE BILL 1288

New co-sponsors for the Akaka Senate Aquaculture Bill 1288 (National Aquaculture Development, Research and Promotion Act of 1993) are: Chafee (R-RI), Hatch (R-UT), Kempthorne (R-ID), Boxer (D-CA) and Danforth (R-MO). This brings the total to 21 co-sponsors.

- CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTIONS ON FRENCH BAN OF U.S. SEAFOOD IMPORTS

On March 10 hearing was held by House Merchant Marine & Fisheries Subcommittee on efforts by French government to prevent the importation into France of U.S. seafood products. This is result of political pressures in France which has results of banning exports of seafoods from anywhere in world to France through inspection procedures.   House Resolution sponsored by Franks (MA).

- FUNDING FOR NORTHEAST FISHING INDUSTRY

President will make $30 million available in emergency funding to Department of Commerce to provide assistance to Northeastern fishing industry and to communities affected by the collapse of commercial fisheries. NOAA will receive $12 million to expand processing and develop marketing of underutilized species and to develop opportunities in aquaculture.

- CONGRESS PASSES GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE REVIEW ACT

This act states that all budget line item projects will be required  to provide information on outcomes and impacts. Reports will be submitted that compare projected outcomes with accomplishments. Budgets are intended to reflect the performance of achieving goals on an annual basis. It will be implemented in fiscal year 2000 so 1999 reporting should contain performance-based information.

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES

- Correction for application submission deadline for Special Research Grants Program, Aquaculture Research should read April 18, 1994. This is the grant project of about $300,000 that is administered by Meryl Broussard. This fiscal year emphasis is on aquaculture waste management research priorities. Information was also provided to you earlier. For more information contact Meryl at: 202/401-4061.

- Correction on FDA proposed rule to establish procedures for the safe processing and importing of fish and fishery products. One important point is that the deadline for receiving public comments has been changed from March 29, 1994 to April 28, 1994. Other corrections are found in Federal Register 3/3/94 beginning on page 10085. I will provide copy of 4-page notice on request.

- FR 2/4/94, Notice of 1994 Inspection Fees: Inspection and Certification Fees and Charges, National Marine Fisheries Services. This notice announces new fees effective January 1, 1994 which represent an increase of 6% in the basic hourly rates. For more details contact: Richard Cano at (301) 713-2355.

- FR 3/18/94, Availability of Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls Guide from FDA Office of Seafood. This document is companion to proposed mandatory seafood HACCP regulation. Written comments are requested by April 28, 1994. This is intended to be a "living" document subject to changes as needed. It can be ordered through NTIS for $27 or can be obtained free while supplies last by calling Alfred Montgomery or Kim Young at (202) 254-3995.

- FR 3/16/94, Fresh and Chilled Atlantic Salmon From Norway; Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review. This notice provides information on those Norwegian companies that have dumping margins (fees) owed to the United States. In an over-simplification, the margins are determined by comparing the sales price of product in Norway with that in the U.S. The price difference is the margin. Companies identified as having dumping margins are required to put up a cash deposit when importing their products. The margin for the previous year is used unless a U.S. company requests a new review. The margins are calculated and charged annually.

- FR 1/31/94, Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of Pollutants Under the Clean Water Act; Technical Amendments. This notice provides updated information on approved test procedures and corrections on some amendments and omissions in a previous Technical Amendment in 1991. For persons involved in doing water quality studies associated with CWA requirements, this information may be worth reviewing. Tables provide information on approved tests for inorganics, bacteria, non-pesticide organic compounds, some pesticides, radiologic procedures and required containers, preservation techniques and holding times for selected compounds.

FOOD SAFETY & QUALITY INITIATIVE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

ES-USDA has announced request for proposals for FY 1994 funding of food safety & quality projects. There are two Parts; deadlines for application submissions are March 28 for Part A and April 11 for Part B. The following is information on each Part.

Part A: funding up to $20,000 is available for all eligible institutions wishing to conduct food safety and quality educational programs that address one or more of the following objectives:

1. Reduction of foodborne illness

2. Increased understanding of food-related risks and the policy and scientific bases for risk management decisions.

3. Reduction of foodborne hazards in a food production or processing environment. One program application per eligible state or territory will be accepted.

Part B:

Category 1 - National Coordination of and support to CES food handler education programs; applicants may request up to $100,000.

Category 2 - Harmonization of food handling recommendations for disaster and emergency situations; applicants may request up to
$60,000.

Category 3 - Programs which enhance the educational delivery, implementation and evaluation of Hazard Analysis Critical Control
Points (HACCP) and Total Quality Management (TQM) principles to control microbial hazards in food animal or aquatic production and processing. Each applicant may request up to $100,000.

Category 4 - Model program to increase understanding of food safety related issues in biotechnology or food irradiation; each applicant can request up to  $40,000.

For more details contact: Elizabeth Andress, USDA Extension Service at 202/720-8855 (tel.), 202/690-0415 (fax) or Internet email at: eandress@esusda.gov   Applications need to be submitted on ES-USDA forms that should be available from the administration office of your State Cooperative Extension Service.

STATE BRIEFS

Minnesota - University of Minnesota's Fishery & Wildlife Department and Minnesota Department of Agriculture have teamed up to study recirculating systems for aquaculture. Study funded by state legislature with grant from Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources. For more details contact: Ying Ji, Department of Agriculture at (612) 296-5081 or Internet email: facss@vx.cis.umn.edu

ELECTRONIC UPDATES

Note Guest Editorial in AFS Fisheries publication, "Taking Advantage of Computer Networking" by Skip Lazauski

New version of "Exploring the Internet" was completed by ES and Penn State. It is available from ES-USD Almanac and Gopher servers. Use the following command:

To: almanac@esusda.gov

As message use: send ces-docs explore-inet

CATFISH FEED MILLS INCREASE SUPPORT FOR CHECKOFF

With the recent addition of Gold Kist's participation in The Catfish Institute in January, all major catfish feed manufacturers will be participating in the catfish marketing program. Member feed mills will contribute $5 per ton of feed sold in 1994. Funds will be used to support activities administered by The Catfish Institute. Cooperating feed mill companies are located in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota and Mississippi.

EXPORT/IMPORT AQUACULTURE DATA

Recently the information collection on export/import data of aquaculture products has expanded. Some of the data are analyzed quarterly and reported biannually while some data can be analyzed on a monthly basis. The following is some of the data that is now available; ornamentals, trout (live eggs, fresh, frozen), catfish, Atlantic and Pacific salmon, shrimp, mussels, clams and oysters. Some of the information is reported in tables in the Aquaculture Situation & Outlook Report. Information can also be broken down by country. For any additional information on this type of data contact: David Harvey, USDA Economic Research Service, Rm. 834, 1301 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20005-4788 or call (202) 219-0085.

Aquaculture Network Information Center (AquaNIC)

What is AquaNIC
Where would you start to look for state, national or international information about aquaculture? In the past it has been difficult to obtain aquaculture information from a single source. The Aquaculture Network Information Center (AquaNIC) is intended to solve this problem. AquaNIC is a gateway to the world's electronic resources in aquaculture. AquaNIC is maintained at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana and is supported by The Libraries of Purdue University, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program, and the United States Department of Agriculture Extension Service.

Accessing AquaNIC
AquaNIC uses a Gopher server located in The Libraries of Purdue University and is linked to an Almanac server in Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. There are three methods that can be used to access information. Information necessary to access AquaNIC is provided below. If you do not have the capability to access AquaNIC directly, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service or Sea Grant Office.

TELNET

AquaNIC can be accessed by people with a connection to the Internet through telneting to The Libraries of Purdue University. This is accomplished by:

teleneting to:
thorplus.lib.purdue.edu

When the connection is established you will be prompted to login.
At the login prompt type:
cwis (this must me lower case letters)

You will then be prompted for a password. There is no password so press return. The first screen contains a list of 16 menu items.
AquaNIC is located in the menu:
Scholarly Databases (number 15)

To move around the menus follow the instructions at the bottom of the screen. Once in a document use the spacebar to go down one page at a time. To exit a document type the letter "Q" for quit then press the return key. This sequence will take you back to the previous menu. Information can be mailed to your e-mail address by going to the end of the document and entering m for mail.

MODEM

AquaNIC can be accessed using one of Purdue University's fifty 14,400 baud per second (bps) modems. It is not necessary for the caller to also have a 14,400 bps, but slower modems mean slower communications. Regardless of the modem used your communication software must be set as follows:

Phone number 317-496-1440
Data bits = 8
Parity = none
Stop bits = 1
When settings are made, number called and connection made, you will need to enter:
connect thorplus.lib.purdue.edu
At the login prompt type:
cwis
You will then be prompted for a password. There is no password so press return. The first screen contains a list of 16 menu items.
AquaNIC is located in the menu:

Scholarly Databases (number 15)
Information can be mailed to your e-mail address by going to the
end of the document and entering m for mail.

ALMANAC

AquaNIC information can be requested by e-mail using Almanac.
Use the e-mail address:
almanac@ecn.purdue.edu
In the body of the text leave a blank line then type the following line exactly as provided:
send aquanic catalog
A catalog will be sent to your email address. Single or multiple document requests can be made by following the instructions in
the catalog.

AquaNIC Contents

AquaNIC is a multi-branched directory containing a wide variety of information. Most documents on AquaNIC can either be viewed on your computer monitor or a hard copy can be sent to your e-mail address. AquaNIC also contains an image directory that holds hundreds of pictures, short videos and slides in a variety of common image formats.

One of AquaNIC's unique features is that it is linked to several other aquaculture databases on the Internet. These links are established for you when another aquaculture database is selected.

The directory structure of AquaNIC is given below.

1. About AquaNIC

2. Publications
    a. USDA Regional Aquaculture Centers
        1. Extension Fact Sheets
        2. Technical Reports
        3. Annual Progress Reports
    b. Federal Government Reports
    c. State Extension or Sea Grant Publications

3. Newsletters
    a. USDA Regional Aquaculture Centers
    b. National Association of State Aquaculture Coordinators
    c. State

4. Other Aquaculture Information ON the Internet

5. Other Aquaculture Information NOT ON the Internet

6. E-mail Directory of U.S. Aquaculture Contacts

7. E-mail Directory of International Aquaculture Contacts

8. Calendar of Events

9. News Flashes

10. Images

11. Job Announcements


Searching AquaNIC Information

Information in AquaNIC may be searched three ways using a search engine called "jughead". A title search will search for any word that appears in the title of a document. This method is a good general search method. A full text search will search for any keyword in the text of a document.

Full text searches using the word aquaculture for example may provide hundreds of "hits". Therefore the search should be specific. Searches can be narrowed by using more that one keyword. For example, using "aquaculture,Indiana,Illinois,goldfish" would instruct the computer to list only entries that contain all four key words.

The last keyword search mechanism is for e-mail addresses. When a search for e-mail addresses is conducted use as much of the person's name as possible.

Who to Contact for More Information
AquaNIC is a flexible electronic information center that is intended to be responsive to the needs of its customers. If you have information that you would like to include or have questions regarding AquaNIC contact:
LaDon Swann
lswann@hub.ansc.purdue.edu.
voice: 317-494-6264
or
Mark Einstein
meinstei@hub.ansc.purdue.edu
voice: 317-494-4862

NASAC Electronic Mail

An "electronic mail group" for NASAC members and contacts has been established. Messages posted to this group will be sent electronically to all subscribing members. To subscribe, send message to: almanac@hermes.ecn.purdue.edu. In the body of the
message, leave the first line blank, then type exactly: subscribe NASAC. After mailing the message, you should receive a
confirmation message.

A third person may be subscribed by entering in the body of the text:
set address (person's e-mail address)
subscribe NASAC

To access the mail group, send message to NASAC@hermes. ecn. purdue.edu. If you are interested in this service, please
contact LaDon Swann (317/494-6264 or ladon_swann@hub.ansc.purdue.edu).

For those of you planning to attend the NASAC '94 Conference and Business Meeting in Maine, Ying Ji and I will be conducting and "e-mail" demonstration and training session as part of the program. if you need to reach me by other means than listed above, by full address, telephone number, and FAX number is on the NASAC State and address list.

Hope this establishment of a NASAC e-mail group will be of benefit to some of our members.

Governor's Conference on Agriculture - Wisconsin Aquaculture '94

The Governor's Conference on Agriculture - Wisconsin Aquaculture '94 held at Stevens Point, February 18 and 19, 1994 was a success. The conference was larger and better received by industry than originally anticipated by conference planners; over 350 people participated in the conference. Governor Thompson and Secretary Alan Tracy were very pleased with the conference and a bit surprised at the statewide interest. State Representative Barbara Gronemus received an award from the aquaculture industry for her efforts.

Conference Highlights

Over 30 people were on the conference agenda as speakers. A few of the presentation highlights are listed below:

Betsy Sheehan, South Carolina Aquaculture Coordinator

Betsy discussed how aquaculturists can market and promote their products. She encouraged fish farmers to utilize the resources in their community such as -- the local college are department, library, local chefs, manufacturers and distributors, state agencies, "Aunt Ethel', chambers of commerce, and ethnic grocers, to name a few. These sources are an inexpensive and creative way to market products. Sheehan suggests that the best way to promote a product is to tell the media.

Ted McNulty, Arkansas Coordinator
Ted was the key note speaker at the conference. He discussed how the state of Arkansas established and developed its aquaculture industry. McNulty stressed that the best way for Wisconsin fish farmers to advance the aquaculture industry is by working with state legislators. McNulty believes that government support of an industry is critical to the economic development of aquaculture.

U.S. Senatorial Catfish Luncheon

A congressional fish fry, sponsored by the Catfish Farmers of Arkansas and hosted by Senators Bumpers and Pryor, was held on March 23, 1994. Fifty-two Senators, several White House attendees and USDA officials participated. Dr. Hank Parker, CSRS, who attended, reported that in addition to a delicious catfish meal, the event provided an informal atmosphere in which industry representatives exchanged with Senators information about the importance of the evolving aquaculture industry.

Meeting to Discuss Trade of Aquaculture Products Between the U.S. and Canada

On March 23, 1994, representatives from the Arkansas baitfish cultivation industry and the salmonid cultivation industry from Washington State met with Arkansas senatorial staff, Mr. Marion Berry, Special Assistant to the President for Agriculture, officials from USDA, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to discuss issues related to the trade of aquaculture products between the United States and Canada. Dr. Hank parker, CSRS, was invited to attend the meeting.

National Aquaculture Industry Forum

On March 24, 1994, the National Aquaculture Industry Forum (NAIF), a coalition of producer associations, Federal government agency officials and allied groups who serve as resources and advisory personnel in the deliberations, met at the headquarters of the American Farm Bureau Federation. The Forum is dedicated to promoting industry growth through coordinated legislative activities and public education. Forum members discussed S.1288, the "National Aquaculture Development and Promotion Act," the  National Aquatic Animal Health Strategy and Related Issues, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, and the need to obtain aquaculture drug approvals.

Arkansas and Mississippi Aquaculturists Meet with President Clinton

A number of producers, researchers and business people from Arkansas and Mississippi, who are members of the Catfish Farmers  of America and who had known President Clinton when he was Governor of Arkansas, informally met with the President at the White House on March 24, 1994. The President graciously welcomed the group, reminisced about his days as Governor, affirmed his interest in the aquaculture industry and bid everyone an enjoyable White House tour at the conclusion of the 20-minute visit.

Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture

The Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture (JSA) met on March 25, 1994, at USDA. Mr. Marion Berry, Special Assistant to the  President for Agriculture, presented opening remarks to the JSA in which he stressed the Administration's interest and commitment to aquaculture and strongly encouraged the aquaculture community to communicate with the Administration about the needs and priorities of the evolving aquaculture industry. Mr. Berry then opened the floor to questions and comments and productive and informative exchange ensured. in addition to most of the JSA membership, there were in attendance a number of leaders of the aquaculture industry, as well as representatives of aquaculture associations and organizations, and other Federal agencies.

Dan Kugler Gives Keynote Address at the California Aquaculture Association's 1994 Conference and Trade Show

Dr. Dan Kugler, Deputy Administrator of the Office of Special Programs, gave the keynote address at the California Aquaculture Association's 1994 Conference and Trade Show on February 18, 1994. The conference was attended by over 300 people.

New Associate Director Joins CSRS Office of Aquaculture

Stephanie Olson joined the CSRS Office of Aquaculture an Associate Director at the beginning of March. She previously worked in USDA as a Program Analyst for CSRS's National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program and as the Director of the 1890 Institution Capacity Building Grants Program in the Office of Higher Education Programs. Her phone number is (202)401-6544.

Conference Information and Registration

NASAC '94 - Annual Meeting and Conference will take place on Saturday, May 21 through Wednesday, May 25, 1994 in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. The actual business meeting and conference will take place on Sunday through Tuesday with Saturday and Wednesday as travel days. However, to kick-off the conference, there is a planned Saturday evening reception beginning at %:00 p.m. in a designated Hospitality Room. To bring the conference to a close, the highlight of the event will be a Cruise and New England Clambake on Tuesday evening, which will last until about 9:00 p.m. SEE ATTACHED "PROPOSED" AGENDA

TRANSPORTATION: Transportation to and from the Portland airport is included in your registration. However, buses making different trips (4 on Saturday and 2 on Wednesday) will only be available for Saturday arrival and Wednesday departure. If you wish to arrive earlier that Saturday or on Sunday or if you wish to depart Tuesday or later than Wednesday, you will need to make other arrangements. Boothbay Harbor is approximately 60 miles and one hour driving time from Portland airport.

LODGING: The headquarters and hotel accommodations will be at the Fisherman's Wharf Inn in Boothbay Harbor, where a block of 35 rooms has been set aside. Rates are $75.00 per night, single or  double occupancy, including tax. The facility has a total of 54 rooms and four (4) of those rooms have already been reserved by other people not in our party. Please make reservations by May 1, 1994 and mention the NASAC '94 - Annual Meeting and Conference. Reservations received after May 1st will be accepted on availability basis only. In order to make your room reservation direct with the Fisherman's Wharf Inn, call 1-800-628-6872 (outside Maine) or (207)633-5090 (inside Maine). The Fisherman's Wharf Inn is located at 40 Commercial Street, Pier #6, Boothbay Harbor, ME, 04538.

Conference and Meeting: All conference programs and the NASAC business meeting will take place at the new Marine Lab in Boothbay Harbor, approximately one and one-half mile from the Inn. Again, transportation will be provided.

Registration: Please complete and mail registration form and fee to Robins Buck by May 1. We have different registration options this year. The basic registration for a NASAC member (one person) which includes all conference functions is $125.00. The non-member registration for all functions is $175.00. For those of you that wish to include next year's NASAC membership dues with your registration, add $100.00 for executive membership or $50.00 for associate membership to your appropriate registration fee. The membership dues, if included, would be for NASAC year 94-95. For those of you planning to bring a guest(s) to some of the functions, the individual cost is listed on the registration form. Please include in the total amount. All meals, except Monday dinner and all breakfasts, are included in you registration fee.

Let's all make NASAC '94 a very successful meeting and conference. Your attendance at this conference needed and is important to the industry. It takes all of us working together to support this developing industry and association. Mike Hasting and Ken Honey have done a great job in choosing the location and we anticipate a very successful and meaningful conference. Now all we have to do is support our Association.

Please consider you travel, complete your registration form, and return to Robins Buck no later than May 1! That is two things that you have to do by May 1, make your room registration at the Inn and mail Robins your registration form and check.

See you in Boothbay Harbor!

NASAC Annual Meeting

Boothbay Harbor, Maine

May 21 - 24, 1994

Proposed Agenda

May 21 - Saturday Night

5:00 - 7:00 p.m. "Early Bird" Reception

May 22 - Sunday

9:00 a.m. Opening/Welcome
Overview of Conference Introductions

9:30 a.m. Futuring Exercise

12:30 p.m. Lunch
Speaker -- USDA Secretary Espy Invited

2:00 p.m. NASAC - Communicating for the Future
Aquaculture Networking Information Center (AQUANIC)

2:45 p.m. Aquaculture Opportunities for Defense Technologies

3:45 p.m. Northeast Aquaculture Program Highlights

NRAC
Overview
State Reports

5:00 p.m. Adjourn

7:00 p.m. Dinner
Speaker -- Senator Akaka Invited

May 23 - Monday

8:30 a.m. Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture Report

9:00 a.m. National Association of State
Departments of Agriculture (NASDA)

Actions Related to Aquaculture

9:30 a.m. National Aquaculture Association Industry Overview

10:00 a.m. Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center A Unique Approach

10:30 a.m. Aquaculture Marketing Study Reports

11:30 a.m. Aquaculture - Canada

12:00 p.m. Lunch
Speaker -- Congressman Studds Invited

1:30 p.m. Federal Agency Panel Discussion
USDA, USDI, USDC

2:30 p.m. Break

2:45 p.m. Regional Meetings

4:30 p.m. Adjourn

Dinner (On Your Own)

May 24 - Tuesday

8:30 a.m. Standing Committee Meetings

10:00 a.m. Break

10:15 a.m. NASAC Business Meeting

12:30 p.m. Lunch

1:30 p.m. Futuring Exercise Wrap Up

2:00 p.m. Research Center Tour

3:00 p.m. Excursion Boat

5:00 p.m. New England Clam Bake

NASAC Board of Director's Meeting
Saturday, February 19, 1994 - 10:00 a.m.
Stevens Point, Wisconsin

The NASAC Board met on Saturday, February 19, 1994 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin in conjunction with the Wisconsin Aquaculture
'94 Conference. Two Officers and one Director were present and the Vice President and one other Director sent official proxy votes in order that official business could be conducted at the meeting.

President Brad Powers called the NASAC Board of Directors meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. in University Hall, University of  Wisconsin at Stevens Point. The Board meeting was held in conjunction with the "Wisconsin Aquaculture '94 - The Governor's   Conference on Aquaculture". In attendance were Brad Powers, Robins Buck, Secretary-Treasurer, Bud Sholts, Director, and NASAC Members Ted McNulty, Delayne Holsapple, and Betsy Sheehan. In order to have a quorum to conduct official business, Vice President John Corbin sent his proxy and designated Ted McNulty to vote in his absence and Ying Ji sent his proxy and designated Robins Buck to vote in his absence. Also in attendance was Becky Thomas of Bud Sholts' staff.

Treasurer's Report: As of January 31, the NASAC balance is $7,968.19.

Membership Report: As of January 31, NASAC has 25 executive Members (24 States and 1 Territory) with at least one State's membership renewal in the mail. Associate Membership is six (4 States and 2 Other).

Business Actions:

A motion was made that NASAC support NASDA's Congressional Reception held in Washington DC on March 1 in the amount of a $250.00 sponsorship. The Congressional Reception is an annual event held in conjunction with the NASDA Mid-Winter Meeting in Washington. Motion was seconded. Motion passed. It was further moved and seconded that NASAC make the NASDA Congressional Reception sponsorship in the amount of $250.00 an annual line item expense until changed or discontinued by future action. Motion passed.

After some discussion of the issue of having the NASAC treasury cover some costs of NASAC Officers and Directors when traveling on NASAC business, a motion was made that the NASAC Board of Directors recommend to the general membership at its next annual meeting that t "President's Discretionary Fund" in the amount of $2,000.00 per year be established for the president or his/her official business. Motion was seconded. Motion passed. This item will be placed on the agenda for vote by the Executive Members at the Annual Business Meeting on May 24 in Maine.

A motion was made that the NASAC Board of Directors recommend to the general membership at its next annual meeting that the Executive Membership dues be increased to $150.00 from $100.00 and that the Associate Membership dues be increased to $75.00 from $50.00. Motion was seconded. Motion passed. This item will be placed on the agenda for vote by the Executive Members at the Annual Business Meeting on May 24 in Maine.

After some discussion about Ying Ji's proposal of establishing a NASAC Electronic Communications network to strengthen communications, his written motion that NASAC through its Board of Directors authorize the establishment of an "Electronic NASAC Network" was put on the table. Motion was seconded. Motion passed. Delayne Holsapple agreed to serve on the Electronic Network Committee with ying Ji and LaDon Swann, and Bud Sholts will supply the Committee with a contact in Wisconsin that has done similar type work. The Committee will give a report on their work and the status of implementing the network during the NASAC Annual Conference and Business Meeting in May in Maine, as well as conduct a training session for NASAC members.

General Business:

Ted McNulty announced that the Catfish Farmers of America are holding its U.S. Senate Fish Fry on march 23 in the Russell Building at 12 Noon, and the U.S. House of Representatives Fish Fry on March 23 in the Rayburn Building at ^:00 p.m. Ted McNulty requested that as many of the NASAC Officers and Board attend that could to give NASAC good representation. He requested that  any NASAC member wishing to attend contact him so that he could take care of the necessary credentials.

Brad Powers reviewed the NASDA Policy Statements from NASAC that he and other Board members had developed and supplied to the NASDA office. These will be acted on at the NASDA Mid-Winter meeting.

Brad Powers led a discussion on the plans, facility arrangements, and agenda for the upcoming NASAC Annual Conference and Business Meeting. The NASAC Officers and Directors will be doing a lot of work on this item in the very near future as we finalize the specifics. The Secretary-Treasurer will mail the Conference and Business Meeting Announcement and Registration Form by March 20 to all contacts on the NASAC mailing list. Please mark May 21-24 (25) on your calendar now.

President Powers requested the Secretary-Treasurer to write members of the Aquaculture Suppliers Association to request sponsorships for the NASAC Annual Conference in Maine.

There being no further business, the Board meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

Respectfully submitted by,

T. Robins Buck
Secretary-Treasurer

FDA Announces New Compounds Categorized as Low Regulatory Priority

At the recent Aquaculture Expo meeting in New Orleans, FDA released their latest listing of unapproved new animal drugs that
are regarded as compounds of low regulatory priority (LRP).

The following are new compounds added to the list. There are presently 17 LRP compounds.

- FULLER'S EARTH: Used to reduce the adhesiveness of fish eggs to improve hatchability.

- HYDROGEN PEROXIDE: Used at 250-500 mg/l to control fungi on all species and life states of fish, including eggs.

- PAPAIN: Used as a 0.2% solution in removing the gelatinous matrix of fish egg masses in order to improve hatchability and decrease the incidence of disease.

- UREA and TANNIC ACID: Used to denature the adhesive component of fish eggs at concentrations of 15 grams urea and 20 grams NaCl per 5 liters of water for approximately 6 minutes, followed by a separate solution of 0.75 grams tannic acid per 5 liters of water for an additional 6 minutes. These treatments will treat approximately 400,000 eggs.