Farming . The Scripture conjures images of profoundly plowed , rich dirt and unripe battlefield . In the distance are cattle and sheep , and there by the b is the crybaby coop . It ’s a lucullan vision — but it ’s not the only vision . For ages , Asians and Europeans have also drill aquaculture , the bringing up of industrial plant and animals rebound to the water rather than land . This ancient practice is turning heads again today .
InNational Geographic ’s June 2014 article “ How to grow a Better Fish , ” Joel K. Bourne Jr. samples the variety of aquaculture practice in the world today . Around the globe — specially in Asia — kelp , sea cucumbers , shrimp , oysters , tilapia and cobia are being raised and promoted as environmentally and economically sound option to beef , pork and Gallus gallus . accord to Bourne , aquaculture can be done in armoured combat vehicle or in pens posit within oceans and along bodies of freshwater .
Although Bourne advertises the benefits of aquaculture , he also raises consciousness of certain detriments . The use of tank make new environmental issues , and the seafood that is imported from other countries often is not raised to the strict banner Americans revalue .
American factory farm entrepreneurs may find aquaculture an attractive selection , especially for those seeking to bring through the family baccy farm through re - purposing the land . It ’s patriotic , environmentally praiseworthy and profitable — if you have the science and a few legal tips to help oneself .
Aquaculture Law and Regulation
When a soul considers the need for secret parties to share public spaces , like the bottom of a river , there is a case to be made that organization can prevent combat over meridian spots that belong to to all and to no one . Also , when one consider that polluted seafood can envenom the public , and that contagion can distribute between barbarian and tame creatures , harming the fishery , there is a stronger case to patronize public oversight of aquaculture .
My home commonwealth of Virginia , for example , encourage its resident to raise shellfish in the Chesapeake Bay field to both revitalize the seafood industry and create colony of born water filters . Aquaculture , because it is a combination of livestock and environmental use of goods and services , is mention in several place in the Code of Virginia , with further contingent in the Virginia Administrative Code . Therefore , if you perform your own legal research , be discreet ; do n’t carry that like beekeeping , you only need to look in one spot for applicable law . ( Always look at whether you require the advice of an lawyer to assist you , and never bank on article such as this to be personal legal advice for your situation . )
State and federal regulators are available to help , and Virginia is no exception . The Virginia Marine Resources Commission has aneasily accessible websitehelping sodbuster to get a handle on rights and responsibilities . In improver to laying out the dissimilar kinds of permits needed ( include for non - commercial yield ) , it refer you to other bureau with legal power over aquaculture , such as the Virginia Department of Health , Department of Environmental Quality , and Department of Game and Inland Fisheries . It also references non - governmental sources of assistance .
The National Marine Fisheries Service has a handy chart to guide you incontacting the appropriate federal and state self-assurance . Use it as a guide to point you in the right direction as you diligently seek out all self-confidence that have a stake in your aquaculture task .
Contracting With Prudence
As an farm - business entrepreneur , you ’re raising a intersection with the hope of gain . If you ’re not careful wreak your production to market , you may lose diminished return and even losses . This is where prudent catching come in . Should you start sell on a scale outside of your typical farmers market , such as to restaurants or wholesale , you want your contract bridge with customers to be as percipient as possible so both parties realise their responsibility and reinforcement , to avoid litigation , court rendition and use of country legislative act when language is unclear .
aquicultural entrepreneurs are few in the U.S. , so American producers may ship far and broad . What happens when a producer in Virginia has a difference of opinion with a emptor in North Carolina or New York ? Two point suggest themselves . First , let in in the contract an arbitrament or mediation clause , which requires any contravention to be first acquaint to a mediator or arbitrator ( this may be cheaper than a cause ) . secondly , fit in on which state ’s laws would use in the event a case went to trial . I suggest the state of the producer .
Remember that your product must be raised according to standard suitable for public consumption and any other standard which your customer is relying on you to provide . Your buyer ’s report is part dependent on you .
Aquaculture is a very various and fertile area for experiment and profit . No lowly clause can do it Justice Department . Hopefully , this article push you in the right direction to begin your research into whether commercial-grade aquaculture would be good to your small farm .
