The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to establish a cooperative relationship between Lincoln University (LU), Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA); Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC); Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR); University of Missouri-Columbia, College of Agriculture. Food and Natural Resources (UMC); Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED); and Missouri Aquaculture Association (MoAA) to facilitate development of an economically sound and environmentally responsible aquaculture industry in Missouri.

The Missouri Aquaculture Association was formed to represent and to promote the success of aquaculture in Missouri. The Association is dedicated to improving the quantity, quality, and efficiency of aquaculture production and promotes growth of the industry.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture is authorized under the provisions of RSMo 261.020 to establish cooperative relationships between agencies, public and private, which facilitate the production, processing, and marketing of agricultural products to assist in the development of economic, efficient, and coordinated services.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is authorized under the provisions of Article IV, Executive Department of the Constitution of the State of Missouri, subsections 40(a) through 46, to proclamate regulations which provide for the control, management, restoration, conservation, and regulation of the bird, fish, game, forestry, and all wildlife resources of the State.

The Missouri Department of Economic Development is authorized under RSMo 620.010 to provide all of the general provisions, definitions, and powers enumerated in section 1 of the Omnibus State Reorganization Act of 1974.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is authorized under the provisions of RSMo 640.010 with the administration of programs relating to the environmental control and the conservation and management of natural resources.

The University of Missouri-Columbia, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources was established in 1870 as the State's land-grant university in response to the need for agricultural teaching and research in Missouri. Its major goals are the provision of relevant scientific knowledge and practice in its application to the food, life, and agricultural sciences.

Parties to this understanding wish to enter into a cooperative agreement to facilitate the various particular interests under mutually-agreed objectives which serve the best interests of Missouri's aquaculture community and citizens through the establishment of the Missouri Aquaculture Coordinating Council.

Parties to this understanding wish to establish the following principles which shall serve as common guidance for conducting business through the venue of the Missouri Aquaculture Coordinating Council:

All activities of the Council shall be conducted in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

This understanding defines, in general terms, the basis on which the parties concerned will cooperate and does not constitute a financial obligation to serve as a basis for expenditures.

No appointee or designee shall engage in Council activities as to give rise to opportunities which may be construed to constitute a conflict of interest or result in undue financial or competitive benefit from participation within the Council's activities.

This Memorandum of Understanding shall become effective upon the date of final signature. This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of all parties of signature.

Any or all parties may terminate their participation within this Memorandum of Understanding upon sixty (60) days of written notice to the other parties.