2012-2013 Florida Aquaculture Plan Finalized

Did you know that Florida ranks number one in the United States for diversity of products produced through  aquaculture? According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Florida growers produce over 1500 varieties of aquacultured products such as tropical ornamental fish, aquatic plants, clams, shrimp, alligators, tilapia, catfish, live rock, and a variety of other aquatic species. These products are produced for both the food and nonfood markets including seafood, freshwater and marine aquarium hobby, high fashion leather, water gardening, bait, biological control, and seed for national and international aquaculturists to culture, and have an estimated economic impact of over $250 million.

In an effort to support and enhance Florida's aquaculture industry the Aquaculture Review Council, an advisory committee to FDACS recently finalized the 2012-2013 Florida Aquaculture Plan. The plan describes research and development priorities which, if addressed, could lead to the creation of new agribusinesses, greater employment opportunities for Floridians, and increased income for aquacultured producers. The following projects were identified a top research priorities in Florida:

·         Commercialization of Florida Pompano Production in Inland Re-circulating Systems - Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University

·         Pilot-scale Comparison of Three Methods for Controlling Off-Flavor in Re-circulating Aquaculture Systems for Food Fish Production - Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University

·         Removal of Off-Flavor Compounds in Aquaculture Food Products: Optimizing New Techniques for Sustainable Aquaculture Systems – University of South Florida

·         Aquaculture in Action: Enhancing the Teach Aquaculture Curriculum for Novice Teachers – Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University and University of Florida

·         Development and Evaluation of Goggle Eye Grow-out Methods and Feeds Using Recirculating Aquaculture Systems to Service the Florida Sportfishing Industry – University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science

·         Integrated Aquaculture of Marine Fish and Plants for Food and Restoration Using High and

·         Low Salinity Re-circulating Systems - Mote Marine Laboratory, Center for Aquaculture Research and Development

To view the entire 2012-2013 Florida Aquaculture Plan visit: http://floridaaquaculture.com/publications/aquaplan.pdf