ECSGA_2008

East Coast Shellfish Growers Association Legislative Agenda, January 2008

The East Coast Shellfish Growers Association represents hundreds of small shellfish farmers from Maine to Florida. We estimate that 1300 East Coast farms produce $80 million worth of oysters, clams, scallops and mussels annually. The economic impact of shellfish farms is significant in many coastal communities. Shellfish farming is widely recognized as sustainable and our growers are applauded for being strong environmental stewards. The development of shellfish farming fosters economic growth while helping the environment. Consumer demand is strong for our products and many states are experiencing rapid growth in shellfish aquaculture. Our industry is challenged to find solutions to the issues posed by burgeoning coastal development, degraded water quality, predators and disease. As production levels grow our industry must work to expand its markets or risk overproduction and depressed prices.

Issue: Funding for critical shellfish research
The East Coast Shellfish Research Institute (ECSRI) was formed to increase public awareness of shellfish aquaculture activities through research, education and outreach and to channel funding from government agencies, private foundations and corporate giving programs to regional research institutions for targeted research. Funding from NOAA and USDA through ECSRI for FY08 is $668K. In FY09 we are seeking funds to document the environmental benefits of shellfish culture, to develop rapid detection methods for shellfish-associated pathogenic bacteria and for marketing research.
Actions:

ECSRI is developing developed an issues paper with our research priorities, targeted institutions and funding levels. Targeted institutions include the NOAA/NMFS Milford Laboratory, SUNY (NY), VIMS (VA), Roger Williams (RI), the Haskin Shellfish Research Lab, (NJ) and the USDA-ARS Microbial Safety Laboratory (DE). Funding for these specific programs totals $800K.
.
Issue: Marketing research and assistance
The shellfish industry would benefit enormously from marketing research to identify potential new markets and new product forms. We need help to deliver the message of small sustainable, family farms using environmentally friendly methods to produce a nutritious product with positive health benefits. NOAA Fisheries has proposed regulations to reconstitute provisions of the Fish and Seafood Promotion Act of 1968 under which species-specific marketing councils could be formed.
Action:

We are seeking a mechanism to revive Federal support for the establishment of a Shellfish Marketing Council under the provisions of the 1968 Fish and Seafood Promotion Act.

Issue: Crop insurance
Land-based agriculture in the U.S. is covered against unusual losses due to pestilence, disease and weather. However, crop insurance for shellfish farmers is not available at realistic rates from either private insurers or government-backed programs. A government-backed crop insurance program for shellfish farmers would provide help growers survive catastrophic losses. The Gulf Coast shellfish industry, in conjunction with a private contractor, developed a model crop insurance program and that plan has been presented to USDA’s Risk Management Agency. We stand ready to assist the USDA Risk Management Agency develop a program that meets the needs of the shellfish industry.
Action:

The Risk Management Agency should be encouraged to work with the shellfish industry to develop a workable and affordable crop insurance program.

Issue: Funding for NOAA and USDA aquaculture programs
The NOAA Marine Aquaculture Initiative was funded at $4.7M in FY08, but adequate funding to make U.S. aquaculture competitive in the global arena should be in the range of $100M/year. NOAA also has Offshore Aquaculture Legislation pending, and this bill has provisions for general aquaculture research and for additional aquaculture positions in the regional offices to assist with permitting. Both of these programs support U.S. aquaculture in general, and our shellfish community can successfully compete for these funds to tackle issues key to our industry.
- The NOAA Fisheries Milford Laboratory in Connecticut has a 75-year history of providing unique R&D, extension, and public outreach activities supporting the US shellfish aquaculture industry. The staff of approximately 50 research and support personnel provides valuable assistance to commercial hatcheries and growers. The Lab has been under-funded or designated for closure for several years. Designating the Milford Lab as a “Center of Excellence” could solve the perennial funding issues, bring the lab infrastructure up to date, and ensure future funding for their critical research.
- The Microbial Safety of Aquaculture Products Center of Excellence in Delaware is another lab that performs research critical to our industry whose funding is in jeopardy.
- The USDA-CSREES Regional Aquaculture Centers have been level-funded at less than 50% of their authorized appropriations level since their inception 20 years-ago. The Northeast Regional Aquaculture Center has been especially helpful to the East Coast shellfish industry.
NOAA Actions:

Support a substantial funding increase for the NOAA Marine Aquaculture Initiative. Consider co-sponsoring and support the Offshore Sustainable Aquaculture Act, including its research funding provisions and the funding of regional aquaculture positions. Work with NOAA Fisheries to designate the Milford Lab as a Center of Excellence and fund at an annual appropriation of $1M.
USDA Actions:

Support funding of the Microbial Safety lab at Delaware State University, part of the USDA, ARS Eastern Regional Food Safety Research Unit. Support full funding for the USDA Regional Aquaculture Centers at the $8M authorized appropriations level.

Issue: FDA movement toward post-harvest treatment to control illness
In recent years the shellfish industry has suffered from outbreaks of food poisoning linked to a naturally-occurring bacteria called Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp). The industry continues to work with the FDA to improve the safety of our products; however the FDA is considering mandating additional control methods that would require post-harvest treatment (PHT) of all shellfish. PHT kills the shellfish as well as the bacteria, eliminating the competitive advantage we now have over foreign imports.

Last year irresponsible product warnings by the FDA hurt growers who were selling uncontaminated shellfish.
FDA Actions:

Support the current Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC) efforts to guide shellfish safety standards and oppose actions that might lead to a national requirement for PHT. The FDA should work closely with the ISSC before issuing advisory warnings.
USDA Action:

Restore funding support for the only USDA ARS lab doing shellfish and seafood related bacterial research; the Microbial Safety lab at Delaware State University.