REPORT TITLE:
Aquaculture


DESCRIPTION:
Provides funds for the development of an ornamental fish, plants,
and other products industry in Hawaii.  (SD1)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        759
THE SENATE                              S.B. NO.           S.D. 1
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.



BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 1      SECTION 1.  Aquaculture is a priority industry in the effort
 
 2 to diversify the economy of the State.  Hawaii must diversify and
 
 3 expand its economy with industries that help maintain the world-
 
 4 renowned quality of its natural environment, while creating
 
 5 export products and decreasing imports.  Aquarium fish, plants,
 
 6 and other products constitute an estimated $200,000,000 to
 
 7 $700,000,000 industry in the United States.  The worldwide market
 
 8 for aquarium products is estimated at over $4,000,000,000.  The
 
 9 Florida ornamental fish industry markets over $40,000,000 in
 
10 products yearly and is the leading United States producer.
 
11 Hawaii is in an excellent position to become a more important
 
12 producer of ornamental fish, plants, and other products.
 
13 Hawaii's good water quality, geographic location, ideal climate,
 
14 and ready and economical access to mainland and international
 
15 markets provide important advantages for the expansion of this
 
16 new industry.
 
17      The development of an ornamental fish industry in Hawaii is
 
18 leading to the production of valuable export cash crops and could
 
19 reduce pressures on wild fish populations.  As large areas of
 

 
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                                     S.B. NO.           S.D. 1
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1 land are becoming available, ornamental fish and plant production
 
 2 is becoming a statewide economic and job-generating alternative.
 
 3 There are a growing number of ornamental fish producers in the
 
 4 State and the industry would expand if additional technical
 
 5 assistance was available.  Hawaii aquaculturists envision the
 
 6 ornamental industry developing in a way similar to the tropical
 
 7 flower business, with a combination of small and larger farms.
 
 8      Hawaii is recognized as the leading state in providing a
 
 9 comprehensive package of public support for aquafarmers.  The
 
10 substantial expertise in Hawaii in aquaculture extension
 
11 services, aquacultural engineering, marketing, fish biology, and
 
12 intensive aquaculture is currently being stretched to its limits.
 
13 Demonstration ornamental fish projects, technology transfer
 
14 extension activities, and trouble shooting research projects are
 
15 on-going, supplementing the high interest level and
 
16 entrepreneurial activities that currently exist.  Farming
 
17 technology demonstration, aquaculture systems development, new
 
18 species production, and technology transfer support is providing
 
19 and can provide a strong basis for producing additional revenues
 
20 and jobs for industry development.
 
21      The purpose of this Act is to provide funds for the
 
22 development of an ornamental fish, plants, and other products
 
23 industry in Hawaii.
 

 
Page 3                                                     759
                                     S.B. NO.           S.D. 1
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1      SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general
 
 2 revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $200,000, or so much
 
 3 thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 1999-2000, for
 
 4 technology transfer and technical assistance to new and existing
 
 5 ornamental fish producers.
 
 6      SECTION 3.  The sum appropriated shall be expended by the
 
 7 aquaculture development program of the department of agriculture
 
 8 through the University of Hawai`i sea grant college program for
 
 9 the purposes of this Act.
 
10      SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 1999.