Report Title:

Shellfish Aquaculture

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to conduct a feasibility and cost study to determine the statutory and rule changes, staffing requirements, laboratory support requirements, research requirements, and training and technical assistance needs to develop a shellfish aquaculture industry in Hawaii.  Appropriates funds for an opihi restoration program.  (SD1)

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1615

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to the development of a shellfish aquaculture industry.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


PART I

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State has transitioned away from plantation agriculture and diversified agriculture has become an essential component of our overall agriculture industry.  Aquaculture, which reached $28,400,000 in wholesale product value in 2005, represents one of the fastest growing sectors of diversified agriculture in the State with a future brimming with potential.  The State has an opportunity to expand its burgeoning aquacultural industry by encouraging the culturing of shellfish, including clams and oysters, on land and in certain areas of the ocean.

     However, federal regulations require certain procedures and testing before selling cultured oysters and clams locally and for export.  In addition, the department of health allows the import of live shellfish for food, but not culturing of shellfish for local consumption and export.  This is a missed opportunity for local shellfish growers who are growing clams and oysters for seed export sales, but are not permitted to grow clams and oysters for food.

     The purpose of this part is to promote the development of a viable, local shellfish aquaculture industry by providing funds to conduct a feasibility and cost study to determine the statutory and administrative rule changes, staffing requirements, laboratory support requirements, research requirements, and training and technical assistance needs to develop a shellfish aquaculture industry in Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  The University of Hawaii shall conduct a feasibility and cost study to determine the statutory and administrative rule changes, staffing requirements, laboratory support requirements, research requirements, and training and technical assistance needs to develop a shellfish aquaculture industry in Hawaii.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $75,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 to conduct a feasibility and cost study to determine the statutory and administrative rule changes, staffing requirements, laboratory support requirements, research requirements, and training and technical assistance needs to develop a shellfish aquaculture industry in Hawaii.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this part.

PART II

     SECTION 4.  In recent years, the number of edible opihi found in Hawaii has declined.  The popularity of opihi as a delicacy has led to overharvesting and has made opihi difficult to find on all islands.  Current efforts to address the declining population of Hawaiian opihi include S.B. No. 6 (2007), which, if passed, will prohibit the sale or offering for sale of opihi, except in certain circumstances.  Furthermore, a diverse group of scientists, private business people, and community organizations are collaborating with each other to address the declining opihi populations and general lack of scientific information on this culturally important group of shellfish.

     The purpose of this part is to appropriate funds for a opihi restoration project to obtain a current baseline population of Hawaiian opihi through the islands so that it can more effectively assist in any future management and stocking strategies.  The project is planned to be a hatchery-based restocking program as this has proved to be the most viable method for enhancing the depleted natural populations of opihi.

     SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $168,600 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 for the University of Hawaii sea grant college program to cover salaries, rent, materials and supplies, and overhead costs of the opihi restoration program.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this part.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.