(a) Capital requirements study

The Secretaries, through the coordinating group, shall conduct within twelve months after September 26, 1980, a study of the capital requirements of the United States aquaculture industry. The study shall—

(1) document and analyze any capital constraints that affect the development of aquaculture in the United States; and

(2) evaluate the role that appropriate Federal financial assistance does or could play in filling gaps in the normal credit market with respect to aquaculture.


The study will identify the capital needs of the United States aquaculture industry, with emphasis on the needs that are not being filled either in normal credit channels or through government programs for direct loans, loan guarantees, disaster loans, and insurance. Upon its completion, the Secretaries shall submit the results of the study to Congress.

(b) Capital requirements plan

Terms Used In 16 USC 2807

  • aquaculture: means the propagation and rearing of aquatic species in controlled or selected environments, including, but not limited to, ocean ranching (except private ocean ranching of Pacific salmon for profit in those States where such ranching is prohibited by law). See 16 USC 2802
  • coordinating group: means the interagency aquaculture coordinating group established by section 2805 of this title. See 16 USC 2802
  • Plan: means the National Aquaculture Development Plan required to be established under section 2803 of this title. See 16 USC 2802
  • Secretaries: means the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of the Interior. See 16 USC 2802

Based on the results of the Capital Requirements Study conducted under subsection (a), and within six months of the completion of the study, the Secretaries shall formulate a plan for acting on the study’s findings. The plan shall include: (1) those Federal actions, if any, found to be necessary to meet financial needs unmet through normal credit channels and existing Federal programs; and (2) recommendations, if any, for legislative actions. Upon completion, the plan shall be submitted to Congress.