Jan 4 -- The National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA, invites comments by March 6, 2023 regarding the extension of its Aquaculture Surveys to 2026.
The primary objective of the National Agricultural Statistics Service is to prepare and issue state and national estimates of crop and livestock production, prices, and disposition. The Aquaculture Surveys program produces estimates at the national level on both trout and catfish. Survey results are used by government agencies and others in planning farm programs.
The trout survey includes sales (dollars, pounds, and quantities), percent of product sold by outlet at the point of first sale, distribution (dollars, pounds, and quantities) of fish raised for release into open waters, and losses. The catfish surveys include inventory counts, water surface acreage used for production and sales (dollars, pounds, and quantities).
Twenty-five states (Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming) are in the Trout Production Survey. In January, data are collected in the selected states that produce and either sell or distribute trout. State, federal, tribal, and other facilities where trout are raised for conservation, restoration, or recreational purposes are included in the survey.
Nine states (Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, and Texas) are in the Catfish Production Survey. Data are collected from farmers in January for inventory, water surface acreage, and previous year sales. In addition, farmers in the three major catfish producing states are surveyed in July for mid-year inventory and water surface acreage.
An aquaculture survey is conducted in Hawaii is conducted under a cooperative agreement with the state.
An aquaculture census is conducted in Pennsylvania to satisfy Act 98 of the 1998 Pennsylvania General Assembly Amended Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes mentions the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture cooperates with NASS for a survey of Pennsylvania's aquacultural industry.
All of the surveys conducted under this approval will have a voluntary reporting statement on each questionnaire with exception to the Pennsylvania Aquaculture Census, which is required by State Law.
Trout Production:
https://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Trout_Production/index.php
Catfish Production:
https://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Catfish_Production/index.php
Previous submission to OMB:
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=202201-0535-001
FRN:
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-28574