A strategic plan for advancing an economically sound and environmentally sensitive aquaculture industry in Missouri.

The Missouri Aquaculture Coordinating Council
The Missouri Aquaculture Coordinating Council is comprised of four private producers, one non-producer representative from the aquaculture industry, and one from each of the five Missouri agencies involved with aquaculture.  The council was formed in recognition of the significant values aquaculture has for Missouri and the need for a cooperative, coordinated approaches to advance aquaculture in a profitable and environmentally sustainable manner.
Since the development of the last Aquaculture Plan, many steps have been taken to achieve a productive working relationship between producers and regulators, encourage involvement from other organizations, develop infrastructural support, and promote private aquaculture as a viable and profitable agricultural pursuit.  This document serves as an update to the ongoing progress of  MACC.

The Mission
The Council will serve to facilitate development of an economically sound and environmentally responsible aquaculture industry in Missouri.

The Vision
The Council strives to improve conditions necessary to stimulate growth in all segments of the aquaculture industry.  Growth of the Missouri aquaculture industry will result in improving the economy of rural Missouri and meeting the demand for locally grown, high-quality seafood products, and yet be sensitive to preserving environmental quality.

The Members
Missouri Aquaculture Association
Missouri Department of Agriculture
Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Missouri Department of Economic Development
Lincoln University
University of Missouri-Columbia, College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Missouri Senate (ex officio)
Missouri House of Representatives (ex officio)

For more information, contact:
Aquaculture Specialist
Missouri Department of Agriculture
(573) 526-6666

Missouri Aquaculture Plan
Goal:  To develop aquaculture in a manner which promotes environmental quality and optimizes economic growth

Objective
Review and discuss issues and opportunities and make recommendations to agencies, organizations, or groups influencing aquaculture.

Action Items
Explore ways to work through conflicts when the definition and application of the phrase “waters of the state” affects aquaculture expansion.
Assess the development of new and emerging aquaculture species toward updating the Approved Aquatic Species List.
Develop marketing strategies that fully inform pond and lake owners on options available to them when obtaining fish for stocking private ponds.  Whether purchasing fish from private producers or receiving fish through the Missouri Department of Conservation’s stocking programs, consumers need to know all benefits and drawbacks with either option.
Monitor increasing involvement from federal agencies and assess developments that may cause undue regulatory burden to the aquaculture industry.  Request that agencies include private interests and use sound scientific information in the initial development of regulations and policies affecting aquaculture.

Objective
Enhance communication and cooperation among private and public aquaculture interests.

Action Items
Alternate meeting locations between MACC members.  Hold meetings in conjunction with regional and national aquaculture and fisheries events when possible to encourage networking between MACC members and members of other organizations that have an interest in aquaculture.

Inform upper-level administrators of issues facing aquaculture and potential for aquaculture development.

Coordinate activities to inform members of the Missouri General Assembly about new developments pertaining to aquaculture.

Objective
Support and promote development and application of new management practices.

Action Items
Facilitate development of new techniques and research on additional species to determine their suitability for production in the state.
Inform producers in the correct and safe use of therapeutic drugs and chemicals.
Inform the industry of the opportunities for private use of Federal Drug Administration’s Investigational New Animal Drugs agreements that are used for special projects in public aquaculture and developments in the Office of the Aquaculture New Animal Drug Applications Coordinator.

Objective
Identify priorities and support development of research, education, extension and outreach programs in aquaculture.

Action Items
Facilitate access to information sources and technical support by encouraging land-grant universities and other educational institutions to include aquaculture material in their educational curricula and increase their involvement in aquaculture research.

Support the development of economic and marketing studies that evaluate the feasibility aquaculture opportunities and demand for aquaculture products.

Facilitate development of materials to inform citizens of the benefits of Missouri aquaculture programs.

Objective
Increase producer access to financial resources.

Action Items
Distribute aquaculture related material to financial and lending institutions.

Coordinate the development and distribution of economic about aquaculture.

Inform producers of programs available to assist with the development of sound business and marketing plans.

Objective
Support and promote expansion of marketing opportunities and options that stimulate quality and diversity of aquaculture products.

Action Items
Work with the Illinois Fish Farmers Cooperative and other regional processors to maximize sales of Missouri foodfish.

Identify opportunities for related industries to get involved with aquaculture.

Explore opportunities for promotion with producer organizations.

Evaluate the creation of a central aquaculture promotion board.

Examine the potential use of privately produced aquaculture products for public programs.

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Retyped 6/18/02