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This FREE course is designed for beginning oyster growers and those interested in the prospects of oyster culture in the Gulf of Mexico. The course covers basic information on how to get started to growing and harvesting your first crop of oysters. If you are interested in enrolling, visit the course website: https://oyster-culture.teachable.com/. If you have any questions, please email Leslie Sturmer at LNST@ufl.edu.

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is responsible for the delivery of federal farm programs to help farmers manage risks and recover from disasters. The Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, or NAP, provides financial assistance to farmers of non-insurable crops to protect them against natural disasters that result in crop losses. The deadline to sign out for NAP coverage at your local FSA office for the 2021 crop year has been extended to September 30, 2020. Many offices are currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so call or email first. NAP coverage is available for clam, oyster, and sunray venus crops.

A series of newly published fact sheets for the off-bottom oyster aquaculture industry in the Gulf of Mexico provides guidelines and suggested safety procedures for preparing for tropical storms and hurricanes. Florida Sea Grant, the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, and Louisiana Sea Grant developed the “Tropical storm and hurricane preparedness for off-bottom oyster aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico” series to help oyster farmers reduce damages related to wind, storm surge and decreased salinity from flooding. There are six publications that focus on planning, preparation and recovery for different types of farms, facilities and equipment:  Introductory Planning Guide   Land-based Operations Guide Workboats

Video recording of the the virtual webinar, ‘Trying to Explain Unexplained Cultured Oyster Mortalities in the Gulf of Mexico’ is now available. To view visit: https://youtu.be/O69ZMIFp1UA https://youtu.be/O69ZMIFp1UAOBJECTIVES Increase knowledge of oyster farmers about what is known about oyster mortalities along the Gulf Coast and the effect of ploidy Increase awareness of current efforts to address mortality issues Seek industry input about what is being observed and priorities for future workAGENDA Welcome & Introductions: Leslie Sturmer, Bill Walton (5min) What do we know about oyster mortalities? (40min) Leslie Sturmer: Florida studies comparing diploid and triploid oysters Bill Walton: Alabama studies comparing diploid and

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has been granted authorization to establish the Four Mile Aquaculture Use Zone in Apalachicola Bay and to execute 38 submerged land leases for use of the full water column. FDACS will accept lease applications from March 6 through March 20, 2020. Download the following support documentation. – Public notice of open aquaculture lease application period – Application for a state-owned sovereignty submerged land aquaculture lease – Map of proposed Four Mile Aquaculture Use Zone Pre-application workshops were held on March 4th and 5th in Apalachicola to provide information about the application process and to inform