NSF The Small Business Innovation Research Program SBIR

� NSF � The Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) provides funding for aquaculture research � Solicits high-quality research proposals from small business firms on important scientific or engineering problems

� SBA � Independent federal agency created to assist, counsel and champion America’s small businesses, including aquaculture firms � Provides assistance to firms in obtaining federal government contracts

� TVA created in 1933 � Development of the Tennessee River system and land resources � National Fertilizer and Environmental Research Center �Research facility to evaluate artificial wetlands as biological filters for removing fertilizer nutrients � Valley Resource Center �Expertise to the private sector � Agricultural �Promote Institute new technologies

� NASAC � Responsible for coordinating aquaculture programs at the state or territorial level � Promote, encourage, and assist in the development of aquaculture in the US by enhancing communication among federal, state, local and tribal governmental agencies

� Congress established 5 centers � Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, and Washington � Conduct research, extension education, and demonstration projects that have national or regional applications � Enhance viable, profitable commercial aquaculture production in the US

� Dates back to maritime laws (300 to 200 BC) � The Third United Nations Conference of the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS III) convened in 1969 � 1982: convention was adopted

� 1966, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN organized first world conference on aquaculture � Since then more conferences and seminars have been held

� Water Use �The following are permits that can apply to aquaculture: Ground/surface water appropriation Tidal wetlands Non-tidal wetlands Submerged land leases Well construction Pond construction Waterway construction Water-quality certification

� Effluent Discharge �Run by the EPA through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System �Farms culturing more than 20, 000 lbs of coldwater species and providing at least 5, 000 lbs of feed must apply for a discharge permit Solids Dissolved Oxygen p. H Ammonia/nitrogen Phosphorus Biological oxygen demand (BOD) Toxics �Permit parameters vary from state to state

� Production �Permits relate more to the species being propagated and usually fall under the responsibility of Fish and Game Aquaculture permits Importation (shipping) Species permits Propagation/possession permits Collection permits Stocking permits �The aquaculture permit is required simply to be in business

� Marketing �Activities associated with marketing or processing �In most areas, aquaculture permit is all that is required Wholesale fish dealers Retail sales license Processing/food establishments Fee-fishing (pay lake) license Shellfish depuration

� It is the responsibility of the business owner to maintain permits � The producer may need different permits for different sites depending on its location and impact to the environment