THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2729

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's aquaculture industry is critical to the State's economy and to the sustainable production of local food.  Currently, the State imports roughly ninety per cent of its food, leaving residents vulnerable to natural disasters and supply chain disruptions.  Food importation also risks the introduction of invasive species found in cargo and aboard ships.  The State's continued biosecurity and economic viability depend on increasing local food production, including aquaculture.

     In 2017, the farm gate value of Hawaii's aquaculture industry was $76,400,000, making it the third highest contributor to the State economy in diversified agriculture.  However, given Hawaii's favorable climate, there is still significant opportunity for growth.  Growing the aquaculture industry will require research and extension support to ensure that growth takes place safely, profitably, and in a way that minimizes biosecurity risks.

     The Hawaii interagency biosecurity plan (2017-2027) highlights the need to support safe growth in the aquaculture industry.  Action 1.13 in the section entitled "Postborder Technology, Infrastructure, Funding and Staffing," calls for the establishment of multiple positions for this purpose.  These positions include two aquaculture extension agents; one extension specialist; and one researcher to conduct research, develop screening and quarantine protocols, develop pest management strategies, and conduct outreach specific to Hawaii. Establishing these positions would also help to achieve other goals in the biosecurity plan related to risk assessments for aquaculture species not yet utilized in Hawaii and safety assessments for aquaculture facilities (Preborder Process Action 1.7, Postborder Process Action 4.6).

     The university of Hawaii has established one permanent research scientist, one grant-funded extension agent at the sea grant college program, and one extension specialist position which is shared between the college of tropical agriculture and human resources and the sea grant college program.  This limited staffing places the long-term future and stability of this research at risk.  While the university of Hawaii at Manoa focuses limited resources on aquaculture, adequate funding, permanent staff, and extension support remain critical to meeting the needs of the State's growing aquaculture industry.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the university of Hawaii college of tropical aquaculture and human resources and the sea grant college program to support the sustainable growth of the local aquaculture industry by establishing two permanent aquaculture extension agent positions and one permanent aquaculture research position.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 to add two permanent positions to university of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources, including one aquaculture extension agent and one aquaculture researcher, and one permanent aquaculture extension agent position to the university of Hawaii sea grant college program.  The funds shall be allocated as follows:

     (1)  $         for two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) aquaculture extension agents;

     (2)  $         for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) aquaculture researcher; and

     (3)  $         for operating expenses.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

Report Title:

UH; Aquaculture; Sustainability; Biosecurity; Food Production; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and the Sea Grant College Program to support the sustainable growth of the local aquaculture industry by establishing 2 permanent aquaculture extension agent positions and 1 permanent aquaculture research position.

 

 

 

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