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Marketing Cultured Oysters Video Available

October 5, 2015

The Marketing Cultured Oysters Workshop held at the FSU Coastal and Marine Laboratory on May 6th was videotaped and can now be viewed at the Oyster Culture Topic Page of the website (http://shellfish.ifas.ufl.edu/oyster-culture/). Topics, such as niche marketing, marketing strategies to target key buyers, promotional materials for marketing Florida oysters, and harvesting and processing requirements for oysters during the summer months were presented by Robert Rheault, Executive Director of the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association; Martin May, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS), Bureau of Seafood and Aquaculture Marketing; and, Kim Norgren, DACS Division of Aquaculture.

Coastal Cleanup set for September 19

September 14, 2015

The 30th Annual International Coastal Cleanup, taking place on September 19th this year, is the world’s largest volunteer effort to help protect the ocean. Sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy, it has become the world’s largest volunteer effort for ocean health. An astounding 560,000 volunteers in 91 countries picked up more than 16 million pounds of trash from the shores of lakes, streams, rivers, and the ocean on just one day in last year’s International Coastal Cleanup.

New FL Sales Tax Exemptions for Agriculture

August 27, 2015

During the 2015 state legislative session, several new Florida Sales Tax Exemptions for Agriculture were passed with direct application to aquaculture. The following is an excerpt from House Bill 33 that became effective July 1, 2015. “Livestock” includes all animals raised for commercial purposes. The term “livestock” also includes all aquaculture products, as defined in s. 597.0015 Florida Statutes (F.S.), and identified by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services pursuant to s. 597.003 F.S.

Cultured Clams are Green!

August 4, 2015

Molluscan shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) provide a favorable environment for the coastal waters in which they are grown. The unique sustainability of Florida clam aquaculture was demonstrated in a University of Florida (UF) study conducted during 2014-15 with funding from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Florida Aquaculture Program. Three environmentally-beneficial ecosystem services (water filtration, nitrogen removal and carbon storage) provided by clam farming were examined with values determined for several commercial harvest sizes.

Sign-up for NAP Coverage by September 1

August 3, 2015

The Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), administered by the USDA Farm Service Agency(FSA), provides financial assistance to growers of non-insurable crops to protect against natural disasters that result in crop losses. NAP provides catastrophic level (CAT) coverage based on the amount of loss that exceeds 50% of expected production at 55% of the average market price for the crop. The 2014 Farm Bill authorizes additional coverage levels ranging from 50 to 65% of production, in 5% increments, at 100% of the average market price. Additional coverage must be elected by a grower by the application closing date.

Harvesting and Aquaculture Education Training Workshops

April 24, 2015

To meet the annual training requirements for shellfish harvesting, handling, and transportation practices as required by the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP Guide Section II, Model Ordinance Chapter X), a series of workshops has been organized around Florida by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Aquaculture with assistance from the University of Florida IFAS and Florida Sea Grant. Following participation of the shellfish harvesting training, a signed certificate will be issued.

Marketing Cultured Oysters Workshops: May 6-7

April 16, 2015

The University of Florida IFAS Cooperative Extension Service in partnership with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Aquaculture is offering a workshop on the harvesting and marketing of cultured oysters. The workshop will be held on two dates and at two locations. Both workshops are from 2:30 to 5:00 pm. Wednesday, May 6, 2015, FSU Coastal and Marine Lab, 3618 Coastal Hwy 98, St. Teresa, FL Thursday, May 7, 2015, FWC Kirkpatrick Marine Lab, 11350 SW 153rd Court, Cedar Key, FL

Florida Trend Report Highlights Aquaculture

April 2, 2015

Aquaculture, the controlled production of seafood, ornamental fish and other aquatic life, is big business in Florida. In 2012, the state’s producers earned $70 million in cash receipts, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture survey. Worldwide, aquaculture is responsible for about half of all seafood consumed, so this emerging sector of Florida agricultural production holds great promise for the future, said Karl Havens, Florida Sea Grant director. To inform the public about this rapidly developing field, Florida Sea Grant chose aquaculture as the subject of its latest special report for the statewide business magazine Florida Trend.

“Oysterater” Features Cedar Key Oysters

March 5, 2015

Rowan Jacobsen, author of Geography of Oyster, has been a big name in the world of oysters since writing his book, and has maintained a blog ‘oyster finder’ online giving reviews of oysters. Rowan just opened up a new website, Oysterater, that takes feedback from people to hear what they think about oysters. The new site is to be the most comprehensive listing of oysters in the world giving oyster connoisseurs an opportunity to rate oysters, have favorites and open discussions on any oyster-related topic.

Leslie Sturmer Recognized with National Award

March 3, 2015

Leslie Sturmer is rooted in the culture – or should we say “aquaculture” – of Cedar Key. The University of Florida IFAS extension agent works with shellfish harvesters and farmers in the small North Florida Gulf Coast town. I’ve been in aquaculture my whole life,” said Sturmer, “I’ve lived here for 22 years. I’m married to a clam farmer. I’d like to think I provide assistance to the industry.” Last month, Sturmer was honored with the Distinguished Service Award by the U.S. Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society.

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