consumed in the United States, by value, imported from other countries, about 50 percent of which is derived from aquaculture. The United States, as a result, runs a substantial trade deficit in seafood. (6) Increasing the overall effectiveness and productivity of Federal aquaculture research, technology transfer, and assistance programs is coordinated by the Interagency Working Group on Aquaculture (referred to in this section as IWGA and formerly known as the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture), which was created by Congress in the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 ( Public Law 96–362 ). The IWGA is chaired by the Department of Agriculture, with vice-chairs from the Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior, and reports to the Committee on Science of the National Science and Technology Council. The IWGA addresses issues of national scope and importance and may form national task forces or special projects to facilitate a coordinated, systematic approach to addressing critical issues and needs. (7) As affirmed by Congress in the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 ( Public Law 96–362 ), marine aquaculture conducted in Federal waters is in the public interest. (b) Purposes The purposes of this Act are— (1) to support the development of a sustainable marine aquaculture industry in the United States