NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON AQUACULTURE
UPDATE
September 13, 2002
The Committee on Science Subcommittee on Aquaculture serves as the Federal interagency coordinating body to increase the overall effectiveness and productivity of Federal research, technology transfer, and assistance programs in support of a globally competitive, technologically advanced, and environmentally sound aquaculture industry in the United States. The Subcommittee meets quarterly and several Working Groups and Task Forces under this Subcommittee convene as needed to address specific issues of national scope and importance. Information regarding the Subcommittee, activities undertaken by it, and output generated as a result of interagency coordination can be accessed at: http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/aquanic/jsa/index.htm
Subcommittee Task Forces and Working Groups:
The Aquaculture Effluents Task Force provides a forum for national coordination, facilitation of stakeholder input, and mobilization of scientific contributions to support EPA’s development of national effluent limitation guidelines for aquaculture facilities, both commercial and public. Several technical reviews developed through the Task Force were presented to EPA as white papers on a number of key issues. Since the proposed rule has been published, the Task Force will consolidate existing technical subgroups to meet the specific science and technology information needs of EPA. More than 160 individuals have participated in the various subgroups. The Task Force completed a one-day public meeting in January of 2002 in conjunction with the Aquaculture America Conference in San Diego, California. Task Force representatives are scheduled to meet with EPA in late October of 2002. The Task Force will also host a one-day public meeting in conjunction with the Aquaculture America Conference in Louisville Kentucky in February of 2003.
The National Aquatic Animal Health Task Force for Aquaculture is developing a National Aquatic Animal Health Strategy in cooperation with industry, regional organizations, state and local governments, tribes, and other stakeholders. The Task Force serves as a focal point for improved coordination, communication, and collaboration among Federal agencies with responsibilities in aquatic animal health management. The goals of the Task Force are to reduce loses and improve production efficiency in aquaculture systems as a result of improved aquatic animal health management systems and to improve facilitation in the interstate and international movement of aquaculture products. The Task Force has met with stakeholders to address the role of Federal agencies in the import and export of live aquatic animals and associated products. The Task Force has served as focal point to formulate management plans for the recent report of a new foreign animal disease in the Unite States, Spring Viremia of Carp. The Task Force will continue to develop the framework for a National Aquatic Animal Health Strategy with input from diverse stakeholders.
The Working Group on Quality Assurance in Aquaculture Production continues to support the coordination of nationwide efforts to gain approvals of needed new animal drugs for aquaculture. A five-year strategic plan that guides and prioritizes activities was recently approved and is now being implemented. The Working Group continues to assist FDA in validating a crop-grouping approach for new animal drug approvals through collaboration with diverse stakeholders. A stakeholder-funded National Coordinator for New Animal Drug Approvals for Aquaculture continues to facilitate data development and collection in support of new animal drug approvals in consultation with FDA-CVM. The Working Group will finalize a web-interactive revision of the "Guide to Drug, Vaccine and Pesticide Use in Aquaculture" in 2002. The next meeting of the full Working Group is scheduled for February, 2003, in conjunction with the Aquaculture America Conference in Louisville Kentucky.
The Shrimp Virus Task Force continues to coordinate Federal activities in risk assessment and management of exotic shrimp viruses in wild and farm-raised shrimp. The Task Force has developed management options and plans to protect both wild and cultured marine shrimp. The Task Force workshop report on the emerging needs in risk management relative to the introduction of exotic shrimp viruses will be printed by October of 2002. The Task Force will continue to serve as focal point for coordination of Federal activities related to biosecurity and management of these important pathogens.
A National Aquaculture Statistics and Economics Working Group was established in 2001. The purpose of the Working Group is to enhance data gathering and statistical reporting for aquaculture production in the U.S. The Working Group will continue to compile a comprehensive and consolidated annual report on U.S. aquaculture production.
Upcoming Activities: The Subcommittee plans to host a special session at the Aquaculture America 2003 National Conference and Exposition in February of 2003 to highlight the Subcommittee’s activities and the Federal programs supporting aquaculture development in the United States. The Subcommittee will also evaluate the need to establish an Aquaculture Science and Technology Task Force to serve as a focal point for coordination of Federal-wide research and technology development activities.
The next meeting of the Subcommittee will be hosted by USDA on October 31, 2002, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, at the Waterfront Center, 800 9th Street, SW, Washington DC.
Prepared by:
Meryl Broussard, Chair, Subcommittee on Aquaculture
Gary Jensen, Executive Secretary, Subcommittee on Aquaculture