STAND. COM. REP. NO. 65

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 623

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 623 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUACULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for the Department of Agriculture to implement an aquaculture development program.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association; Blue Ocean Mariculture; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Kampachi Farms, LLC; Ponoholo Ranch, Limited; Fresh Island Fish Co., Inc.; Island Commodities Company; and six individuals.

     Your Committee finds that, according to a 2010 study, approximately sixty-three percent of seafood consumed in Hawaii is imported.  Seafood is an important staple in the diets of many Hawaii residents and is often sought after by Hawaii's visitors.  Your Committee further finds that production of more local seafood through aquaculture will increase revenues and high-wage and skilled jobs and reduce reliance on imported seafood, while enabling the State to have greater control of product quality and work toward the State's goals of food self-sufficiency and increased local food production.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 623 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair