5.1 Government policy in the region
5.2 Government organizations in the region
5.3 Aquaculture legislation
5.4 Trade and business associations
5.5 Information resources for management
5.6 Technical assistance projects in the sub-sector
Canadian federal and provincial governments share jurisdiction over the aquaculture industry. Both levels of governments have agreed that the lead development role for Canadian aquaculture rests with the private sector, but that governments can provide the appropriate investment climate and regulatory framework to foster industry growth.
In response to industry representation, Canada's Fisheries Ministers agreed that increased federal-provincial coordination was required to ensure orderly development of the Canadian aquaculture industry. The Fisheries Ministers agreed (and their proposals were later endorsed by the First Ministers in 1986) to negotiate, between the federal government and each provincial government, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) concerning aquacultural development.
A MOU is meant to serve two purposes. Firstly, it establishes a joint agreement and understanding of federal and provincial administrative responsibilities for regulation, while reducing the overall administrative and legal burden on the industry. Of particular interest is the move to establish "one stop" licensing and leasing of commercial aquacultural ventures. Secondly, it sets out a coordinated and cooperative approach to government support for the industry. This approach is important, given the concerns of certain interests with respect to aquacultural development. A MOU outlines the respective roles of the federal and the provincial government in areas such as research and development, education, training, leasing and licensing, fish health, stocks and statistics. The MOU is not meant to be a funding mechanism; it therefore contains no provisions for financial resource allocation. The federal government has, to date, signed a MOU with the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, British Columbia and Newfoundland.
In 1984 the Science Council of Canada published "Aquaculture: A Development Plan for Canada". The Plan reviewed new technologies and ways of managing the natural resources of Canada to maximize economic and social benefits. It identified aquaculture as an undeveloped area of biotechnology with considerable potential for Canada. A year later the Science Council of Canada recommended that federal and provincial governments state clearly their intention to develop a commercial aquaculture industry in Canada. Also, in consultation with industry, specified production targets for identified species should be set. Governments should take concerted action to ensure that aquaculture is made an attractive area for investment and create lead agencies Co coordinate the development strategy for the emerging science-based aquaculture industry.
The Federal Government expended approximately Can$ 3 million in suport of commercial aquaculture in 1985, most of which was allocated for scientific research. The Prime Minister announced in early 1988 that the federal government would provide Can$ 1.3 thousand million to Canadian universities for scientific research during the next five years. Some of this funding would be used to support aquaculture research and technology.
The US National Aquaculture Act of 1980 states that it is national policy "to encourage the development of aquaculture in the USA", and it further states that "the principal responsibility for the development of aquaculture in the United States must rest with the private sector". It recognizes US aquaculture as a viable approach to helping meet food needs and contributing to the solution of world resource problems and that aquaculture development will result from initiatives and actions taken within the private sector. The general role of government is to provide encouragement and support through programmes and services that cannot reasonably be expected from private sources.
The government will act as a catalyst for private sector initiatives. Such action will help encourage the growth of a vigorous, self-sustaining industry that will benefit the economy and reduce or eventually reverse the trade deficit in fish and fishery products.
In 1983 The National Aquaculture Development Plan for the USA was published, as required by the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-362). The Plan describes technologies, problems, existing government, state and university aquaculture programmes, and opportunities associated with aquaculture in the US and its territories. The Plan recommends actions to solve problems and analyzes the social, environmental and economic impacts of growth in aquaculture. The Plan contains in-depth information and discussions of the most important species being cultured in the US, as well as a brief description of a variety of promising species for aquaculture.
In 1985 the US Congress amended the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 and also renamed it the National Aquaculture Improvement Act of 1985. The objective of the Act of 1985 was to further stimulate development of a domestic aquaculture industry in the USA. The expectations were that, in time, the Act would help create new jobs, replenish depleted fisheries, and reduce the trade deficit in fishery products.
Many Federal Government departments in Canada are involved in aquaculture. The main agencies and their activities as related to aquaculture are:
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Department of Fisheries and Oceans |
- management of fisheries resources |
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Department of Agriculture |
- registration of feeds and vaccines |
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Department of Health and Welfare |
- registration of drugs; feed additives |
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National Research Council |
- funding of R&D projects |
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Department of Trade and Commerce |
- funding support and business development |
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Department of Indian and Northern Affairs |
- sponsors projects by native people |
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Department of Supply and Services |
- provides incentives for R&D funding |
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Department of Energy, Mines and Resources |
- supports research on energy conservation |
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Department of Environment |
- pollution control and shellfish sanitation |
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Canada Employment and Immigration Commission |
- job creation and training incentives |
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Department of Transport |
- impacts on navigation |
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Department of Regional Industrial Expansion |
- provides funding in fisheries sector |
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is recognized as the 'lead' federal department for aquaculture in Canada. The DFO is pursuing a dual strategy: undertaking joint and coordinated action with provincial governments to ensure orderly development of the industry, and carrying out programmes and activities supportive of aquaculture. To this end, aquaculture coordinators have been appointed to all DFO regions. These coordinators are responsible for acting as the principal departmental points of contact in the region with industry, the provincial government and the academic community on aquaculture matters. The coordinators are also responsible for advising DFO on the needs of the industry, and on policies and activities in support of the industry. The DFO aquaculture coordinators are located in Newfoundland (St. John's), Scotia-Fundy (Halifax, two people). Gulf (Moncton), Quebec (Quebec City and Mont Joli), Central-Arctic (Winnipeg), and Pacific (Vancouver).
Since aquaculture activities involve so many Goverment departments and agencies in the USA, a high level Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture (JSA) was established by the Government. The JSA was created in the late 1970s to increase the overall effectiveness and productivity of federal aquaculture programmes by improving coordination and communication among federal agencies involved in such programmes. The JSA is composed of (1) the Secretaries of the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Interior, Energy, and Health and Human Services; (2) the Administrators of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Small Business Administration and the Agency for International Development; (3) the Chief of Engineers of the US Army Corps of Engineers; (4) the Chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority; (5) the Governor of the Farm Credit Administration; and (6) other federal agencies as appropriate.
In 1981, three panels were established by the JSA: the Panel on Science, Technology, and Engineering; the Panel on Economics; and the Panel on Education and Technical Assistance. The panels are important operating, coordinating, and monitoring units of the JSA.
In 1987 the US Congress began implementation of the National Aquaculture Development Plan by creating five regional aquaculture centres to target aquaculture problems. The objective of the centres is to develop a commercial aquaculture industry coordinating producers, consumers and the domestic economy. The centres (administered by the USDA) are intended to coordinate and integrate institutional resources to promote commercial aquaculture within a given region. The five Regional Aquaculture Centers (RAC) are: North Central RAC, based at Michigan State University; Northeastern RAC, based at the University of Rhode Island; Southern RAC (also includes Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands), based at Delta Branch Experiment Station in Mississippi; Western RAC (also includes Alaska), based at the University of Washington; and the Tropical and Subtropical RAC, based at the Oceanic Institute in Hawaii. It serves Hawaii and the American Insular Pacific.
The Oceanic Institute is also the site of the US Department of Agriculture's Tropical Aquaculture Research Unit, the first of its kind in the USA. The objective of the Unit is to develop culture systems and feed technologies leading to the reliable and economic production of aquatic organisms.
Most, if not all, aquaculture activities in Canada are touched by various federal and provincial government regulations. Under the provision of the British North America Act, the Federal Government has jurisdiction over the primary aspects of the fisheries resource, with the exception of oysters and marine plants which are a provincial responsibility. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is the Canadian Federal Agency charged with the management and preservation of coastal fisheries. Federal regulations require all persons engaged in the breeding, holding or rearing of fish (all marine fish, shellfish, except oysters, crustaceans and marine animals), for commercial sale to have a mariculture licence issued by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
An Aquaculture Permit is required to culture salmon or trout in marine locations or for the culture of salmon in freshwater in British Columbia. An application for the permit must be accompanied by a proposal for operations and an outline of the aquaculturist's qualifications.
The Federal/Provincial Transplant Committee for Fish and Invertebrates controls the movement of all marine fishes and invertebrates. All requests for broodstock or seed stock transfers are screened for review by the Committee. If approved a Transfer Licence is granted.
All 10 provinces of Canada have laws regarding commercial aquaculture. In 1980-81 a model legislative framework was prepared for Nova Scotia (An Act Respecting the Promotion and Regulation of Aquaculture) for introduction into the provincial House of Assembly.
Measures have been taken to streamline existing administrative procedures affecting the issuance of licenses, permits and lease indentures for the aquaculture industry.
In 1985 a draft National Aquaculture Act was published in Canada, mainly as a discussion document to plan the development of aquaculture on a national basis. The draft Act suggested an appropriate federal aquaculture role and legislative base.
In the USA there are about 120 federal laws, scores of state and municipal laws, and hundreds of regulations which have an impact on aquaculture.
Federal aquaculture laws generally fall into two categories: Chose that apply to waters located beyond state jurisdiction (e.g., the Fisheries Conservation and Management Act of 1976) and those that authorize the conduct of research and development programmes and the establishment of federal hatcheries. None of these federal laws or regulations apply directly to private farming of fish, shellfish or marine plants. However, other federal laws related to land and water use, environmental protection, health or safety, affect private aquaculture ventures.
Many of the laws and regulations that specifically authorize, permit, control, or prevent aquaculture are at the state level. State laws concerning aquaculture are usually closely related to state authorities charged with management of fisheries resources. Hatchery programmes are therefore usually administered by state fish and game or conservation agencies.
The procedures required to obtain permits and licenses have been a severe deterrent to aquaculture. Because aquaculture operations deal with food production, water supply, the use of navigable waters, and effluent discharge, they are regulated by agencies concerned with wholesomeness of food, public health, water purity, land use and pollution control. These regulations sometimes occur at all three levels of government: federal, state and local.
In addition to the various associations listed in sections 2.5 and 4.5, Canada and the USA are involved in and host a number of national and international aquaculture trade fairs and exhibitions (usually in association with aquaculture conferences), which bring together thousands of trade and business associates.
The main examples for 1988-90 are: The World Aquaculture Society Conference and Exhibition (Hawaii in January 1988 and Los Angeles in January 1989); the Annual Sunshine Coast International Aquaculture Conference and Trade Show (British Columbia in 1988 and 1989) and the Aquaculture International Congress and Exposition (Vancouver in September 1988 and 1990).
An official USA Trade Delegation usually attends most large international aquaculture trade fairs and expositions.
Compared to most other regions of the world, Canada and the USA have a wealth of published aquaculture-related materials and aquaculture statistics from government and university departments. Most of the published material is biotechnical in nature. However, information resources specifically for management are limited. Aquaculture Digest is a good source of information, as are the NMFS Shrimp Newsletters and Greensheets. INFOFISH Trade News is a fortnightly report on major fishery commodity markets and prices, published by INFOFISH, an FAO marketing information and advisory service, specializing in Asian/Pacific fisheries.
Although directed more to aquaculture in developing countries, there is some UNDP/FAO management information available. The UNDP/FAO Aquaculture Development and Coordination Programme (ADCP) has produced at least 63 publications related to aquaculture in (1) Africa, (2) Asia, (3) Latin America, (4) the Caribbean, (5) the Mediterranean/Near East, (6) Planning, (7) Research, (8) Training, (9) Feeds, (10) Information Systems, (11) Development Aid, (12) Engineering, (13) Economics, (14) Marketing, (15) Socio-Economics, (16) Seed Production, and (17) Women in Aquaculture.
ADCP also publishes AQUACULTURE MINUTES, a quarterly newsletter of information for administrators, executives and managers. A report on "Planning for Aquaculture Development", published by ADCP in 1989, has information of interest to management. The target audiences of the report are predominantly government administrators in developing countries where aquaculture is recognized as a sector of increasing economic importance, and the donor community which has supported aquaculture development. It is intended to assist in guiding and coordinating their collective efforts in aquaculture development and management. In addition, the report is also intended for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the private sector.
During 1985-86 the Inland Water Resources and Aquaculture Service of FAO produced four circulars giving selected lists of publications, serials, newsletters, bibliographies, directories and glossaries dealing with aquaculture in marine and fresh waters. Each FAO circular contains a number of references dealing broadly with information for management. The circulars are: (1) A list of selected FAO publications related to aquaculture, 1966-1985, (2) Selected aquaculture publications: serials, newsletters, meeting proceedings and bibliographies/directories/glossaries, (3) Aquaculture in marine waters. A list of selected reference books and monographs, 1961-1987, and (4) Aquaculture in fresh waters. A list of selected reference books and monographs, 1951-1987.
In 1987, UNDP/NORAD/FAO published "Thematic Evaluation of Aquaculture" which presents the findings, conclusions and recommendations of an evaluation of UNDP/FAO technical assistance to aquaculture during the period 1974-1984. Specifically, the purpose of the evaluation was to identify recurring issues and to extract lessons of use for accelerating the introduction and/or improvement of aquaculture in developing countries, in particular by improving the selection, formulation and execution of aquaculture projects supported by UNDP and FAO.
There are no foreign-funded technical assistance projects in the sub-sector in North America. However, both Canada and the USA provide substantial technical assistance - mainly to developing countries - in many sub-sectors of aquaculture (see section 4.7).
