National Aquaculture Act of 1979

(Measure passed House, amended, in lieu of H.R. 20) National Aquaculture Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretaries of Commerce, the Interior, and Agriculture, after consultation with certain Federal and State officials, Regional Fishery Management Councils, and representatives of the aquaculture industry, to establish a National Aquaculture Development Plan. Permits the Secretaries to create an advisory committee to assist in the development of such plan. Requires that such plan: (1) identify aquatic species that have potential for culturing on a commercial or other basis; (2) recommend actions to achieve that potential; (3) include research programs on the effects of aquaculture on water areas; and (4) specify which Secretaries are responsible for certain actions to implement the plan. Directs the Secretaries to: (1) review the plan periodically and revise it as necessary; and (2) undertake a continuing assessment of aquaculture in the United States. Requires the Secretaries to: (1) provide assistance with respect to aquaculture to interested persons; (2) encourage the implementation of aquaculture technology in the rehabilitation of fish stocks; (3) establish an information service on aquaculture; (4) collect and protect confidential information on public and private aquaculture activities; (5) determine whether existing capture fisheries could be adversely affected by competition from commercial aquaculture enterprises; and (6) report to Congress, biennially, on the status of aquaculture in the United States. Establishes within the Office of Science and Technology Policy an interagency aquaculture coordinating group to operate as a Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture of the Federal Coordinating Council on Science, Engineering, and Technology. Directs the group to assess national needs for aquaculture research and assistance, coordinate aquaculture programs of Federal agencies, and recommend actions on aquaculture issues to the Federal Council. Authorizes the Secretaries to carry out their functions under the Plan through grants or contracts. Limits the amount of any grant to one-half of the estimated cost of the associated project. Directs the Secretaries: (1) through the coordinating group, to conduct and submit to Congress studies on the capital requirements of and State and Federal regulatory constraints on the U.S. aquaculture industry; and (2) to formulate and submit to Congress plans recommending Federal actions and legislation necessary to meet such requirements and to remove unnecessarily burdensome regulatory constraints. Authorizes appropriations for the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, and the Interior for fiscal years 1981 through 1983 to carry out the provisions of this Act.

(Measure passed Senate, amended) National Aquaculture Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, and the Interior, after consultation with appropriate Federal and State officials, regional fishery management councils, and representatives of the aquaculture industry, to establish a National Aquaculture Development Plan. Requires that such plan identify each aquatic species which can be cultured on a commercial or other basis, and contain a program of aquaculture development for such species. Directs the Secretaries to make periodic reviews of the operation and effectiveness of the Plan and to amend the plan as necessary. Requires the Secretaries, through the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture, to make a continuing assessment of aquaculture, in the United States. Requires the Secretaries, in implementing the aquaculture development programs, to: (1) provide advisory, educational, or technical assistance to interested persons; (2) consult and cooperate with persons, agencies, and regional councils; (3) encourage the implementation of aquacultural technology in the rehabilitation and enhancement of fish and shellfish stocks and commercial aquaculture; and (4) prescribe regulations as are necessary to carry out such a program. Directs the Secretaries to: (1) establish an aquaculture information services; (2) maintain an inventory of public and private aquaculture being carried out in the United States; (3) arrange for the exchange of information relating to aquaculture with foreign nations; and (4) conduct a study to determine whether existing capture fisheries could be adversely affected by competition from products produced by commercial aquaculture enterprises. Directs the Secretaries, through the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture, established by this Act, to prepare and submit to Congress a biennial report on the status of aquaculture in the United States. Establishes the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture of the Federal Coordinating Council on Science, Engineering, and Technology to increase the overall effectiveness and productivity of Federal aquaculture research, transfer, and assistance programs. Authorizes the Secretaries, according to their responsibilities under the Plan, to carry out their functions through grants or contracts. Limits the amount of any such grant to one-half of the estimated cost of the project. Directs the Secretaries, through the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture, to conduct and submit to Congress, within 12 months after the enactment of this Act, a study of the capital requirements of the United States aquaculture industry which shall: (1) document and analyze any capital constraints that effect the development of aquaculture in the United States; and (2) evaluate the role that appropriate Federal financial assistance does or could plan in filling gaps in the normal credit market with respect to aquaculture. Requires the Secretaries to formulate and submit to Congress a capital requirements plan, based on such study, which shall include: (1) those Federal actions, if any, found to be necessary to meet financial needs unmet through normal channels and existing Federal programs; and (2) recommendations for legislative actions. Requires the Secretaries, through the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture, to conduct and submit to Congress a study of the State and Federal regulatory restrictions to aquaculture development in the United States and, based upon the results of such study, to formulate and submit to Congress a plan for acting on the study's findings.

(Reported to Senate from Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry; & Commerce, Science, & Transportation amended, S. Rep. 96-660) National Aquaculture Act of 1980 - Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, and the Interior, after consultation with appropriate Federal and State officials, regional fishery management councils, and representatives of the aquaculture industry, to establish a National Aquaculture Development Plan. Requires that such plan identify each aquatic species which can be cultured on a commercial or other basis, and include such other assistance and research programs as the Secretaries deem necessary or appropriate. Directs the Secretaries to make periodic reviews of the operation and effectiveness of the Plan and to amend the plan as necessary. Requires the Secretaries, through the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture, to make a continuing assessment of aquaculture in the United States. Requires the Secretaries, in implementing the aquaculture development programs, to: (1) provide advisory, educational, or technical assistance to interested persons; (2) consult and cooperate with persons, agencies, and regional councils; (3) encourage the implementation of aquacultural technology in the rehabilitation and enhancement of fish and shellfish stocks and commercial aquaculture; and (4) prescribe such regulations as necessary to carry out such a program. Directs the Secretaries to: (1) establish an aquaculture information service; (2) maintain an inventory of public and private aquaculture being carried out in the United States; (3) arrange for the exchange of information relating to aquaculture with foreign nations; and (4) conduct a study to determine whether existing capture fisheries could be adversely affected by competition from products produced by commercial aquaculture enterprises. Directs the Secretaries, through the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture established by this Act, to prepare and submit to Congress a biennial report on the status of aquaculture in the United States. Establishes the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture of the Federal Coordinating Council on Science, Engineering, and Technology to increase the overall effectiveness and productivity of Federal aquaculture research, transfer, and assistance programs. Authorizes the Secretaries, according to their responsibilities under the Plan, to carry out their functions through grants or contracts. Limits the amount of any such grant to one-half of the estimated cost of the project. Directs the Secretaries, through the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture, to conduct and submit to Congress, within 12 months after the enactment of this Act, a study of the capital requirements of the United States aquaculture industry which shall: (1) document analyze the capital constraints that affect the development of aquaculture in the United States; and (2) evaluate the role that appropriate Federal financial assistance does or could play in filling gaps in the normal credit market with respect to aquaculture. Requires the Secretaries to formulate and submit to Congress a capital requirements plan, based on such study, which shall include: (1) those Federal actions, if any, found to be necessary to meet financial needs unmet through normal credit channels and existing Federal programs; and (2) recommendations for legislative actions. Requires the Secretaries, through the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture, to conduct and submit to Congress a study of the State and Federal regulatory restrictions to aquaculture development in the United States and, based upon the results of such study, to formulate and submit to Congress a plan for acting on the study's findings.

National Aquaculture Act of 1979 - Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, and the Interior, after consultation with appropriate Federal and State officials and regional fishery management councils, to establish a National Aquaculture Development Plan. Requires that such plan identify each aquatic species which can be cultured on a commercial or other basis, and contain a program of aquaculture development for such species. Directs the Secretaries to make periodic reviews of the operation and effectiveness of the Plan and to amend the plan as necessary. Requires the Secretaries, through the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture, to make a continuing assessment of aquaculture in the United States. Requires the Secretaries, in implementing the aquaculture development programs, to: (1) provide advisory, educational, or technical assistance to interested persons; (2) consult and cooperate with persons, agencies, and regional commissions; (3) encourage the implementation of aquacultural technology; and (4) prescribe such regulations as necessary to carry out such a program. Directs the Secretaries to: (1) establish an aquaculture information service; (2) maintain an inventory of public and private aquaculture being carried out in the United States; (3) arrange for the exchange of information relating to aquaculture with foreign nations; and (4) conduct a study to determine whether existing capture fisheries could be adversely affected by competition from products produced by commercial aquaculture enterprises. Directs the Secretaries, through the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture, established by this Act, to prepare and submit to Congress a biennial report on the status of aquaculture in the United States. Establishes the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture of the Federal Coordinating Council on Science, Engineering, and Technology to increase the overall effectiveness and productivity of Federal aquaculture research, transfer, and assistance programs. Authorizes the Secretaries, according to their responsibilities under the Plan, to carry out their functions through grants or contracts. Limits the amount of any such grant to one-half of the estimated cost of the project. Directs the Secretaries, through the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture, to conduct and submit to Congress, within 12 months after the enactment of this Act, a study of the capital requirements of the United States aquaculture industry which shall: (1) document and analyze any capital constraints that affect the development of aquaculture in the United States; and (2) evaluate the role that appropriate Federal financial assistance does or could play in filing gaps in the normal credit market with respect to aquaculture. Requires the Secretaries to formulate and submit to Congress a capital requirements plan, based on such study, which shall include: (1) those Federal actions, if any, found to be necessary to meet financial needs unmet through normal credit channels and existing Federal programs; and (2) recommendations for legislative actions. Requires the Secretaries, through the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture, to conduct and submit to Congress a study of the State and Federal regulatory restrictions to aquaculture development in the United States and, based upon the results of such study, to formulate and submit to Congress a plan for acting on the study's findings.