DOC Aquaculture Mission: A mission of the Department of Commerce(DOC) is to create sustainable economic opportunities in aquaculture in amanner that is environmentally sound and consistent with applicable laws andAdministration policy. This mission complements and is an integral part of theDepartment's effort to restore and maintain sustainable wild stock fisheries inorder to maximize the benefits of U.S. coastal resources for its citizens.Aquaculture in the United States can make major contributions to the local,regional, and national economies by providing employment in a new and diverseindustry and by creating business opportunities both here and abroad. TheUnited States can lead the world in the development of aquaculture technologiesand advance international guidelines for the industry in order to maintain ahealthy environment.

Definition: Aquaculture is defined as the propagation and rearing ofaquatic organisms in controlled or selected aquatic environments for anycommercial, recreational, or public purpose.

DOC Aquaculture Objectives: The DOC and its agencies, working inpartnership with USDA, DOI, other Federal agencies, state, local, and tribalgovernments, environmental organizations, industry, academia, and otherstakeholders at the national and regional levels will create a business climateand technological base for industry to develop environmentally soundaquaculture. The specific objectives by the year 2025 are to:

1. Increase the value of domestic aquaculture production from the present $900million annually to $5 billion, which will help offset the $6-billion annualU.S. trade deficit in seafood.
2. Increase the number of jobs in aquaculture from the present estimate of180,000 to 600,000.
3. Develop aquaculture technologies and methods both to improve production andsafeguard the environment, emphasizing where possible those technologies thatemploy pollution prevention rather than pollution control techniques.
4. Develop a code of conduct for responsible aquaculture by the year 2002 andhave 100% compliance with the code in Federal waters.
5. Double the value of non-food products and services produced by aquaculturein order to increase industry diversification.
6. Enhance depleted wild fish stocks through aquaculture, thereby increasingthe value of both commercial and recreational landings and improving the healthof our aquatic resources.
7. Increase exports of U.S. aquaculture goods and services from the presentvalue of $500 million annually to $2.5 billion.

• Work with stakeholders to develop a set of aquaculture guidelines for DoCaquaculture activities by the end of the year 2000 and ensure that allsubsequent Departmental activities conform to these guidelines.
• Conduct research and help develop guidelines for an environmentally soundand sustainable aquaculture industry and promote domestic and internationalcompliance with the guidelines.
• Consistent with these guidelines, conduct basic and applied research todomesticate additional species, giving preference to high-value species and tothose that are least likely to create problems for the environment.
• Deliver U.S. government aquaculture services, assistance, and research tostate and local governments and industry in a comprehensive and coordinatedmanner.
• Hold national and regional meetings with aquaculture constituents toinventory present resources and issues and set priorities for the future.
• Develop an efficient and transparent permitting process for aquaculture.
• Accelerate the implementation of new aquaculture production methods bydeveloping both pilot scale and demonstration projects where necessary.
• Develop effective enhancement strategies, where appropriate, for aquaticspecies to help wild stock fisheries recover and to provide additionalrecreational opportunities.
• Integrate aquaculture development with wild fish stock management andenvironmental stewardship to maximize the value of our aquatic resources forthe benefit of the nation.
• Minimize the adverse impacts of aquaculture on protected species throughproper design and siting of facilities and the application of appropriatedeterrent technologies.
• Provide financial, marketing, and trade assistance to the aquacultureindustry.
• Provide extension, training, and education programs to ensure acompetitive, safe industry.
• Provide an information clearinghouse and information dissemination system to facilitate achieving aquaculture objectives.