Florida Aquaculture: History Florida Aquaculture: History

Dr. Craig KasperDr. Craig Kasper

FAS 1012: Lecture 2FAS 1012: Lecture 2

Florida Aquaculture?Florida Aquaculture?

• Like other endeavors, Like other endeavors,

aquaculture in FL has itsaquaculture in FL has its

roots in capture fisheries.roots in capture fisheries.

Hard Life!Hard Life!

• Fishing every day to feed your family is rough Fishing every day to feed your family is rough work. work.

• Long hrs., possibly dangerous conditions!Long hrs., possibly dangerous conditions!

• Might not catch Might not catch

anything either.anything either.

It never ends!It never ends!

• Stocking and restockingStocking and restocking

became an issue for became an issue for

many fish managers.many fish managers.

Florida Aquaculture Generalities…Florida Aquaculture Generalities…

• Florida Aquaculture is extraordinarily diverseFlorida Aquaculture is extraordinarily diverse

• 1,500 species (fish, plants, mollusks, 1,500 species (fish, plants, mollusks, crustaceans and reptiles)crustaceans and reptiles)

• Over 1,000 certified aquaculturists. Over 1,000 certified aquaculturists.

• Products for food and non-food markets alike.Products for food and non-food markets alike.

Specific Items CulturedSpecific Items Cultured

• Tropical fish/including marine spp.Tropical fish/including marine spp.• PlantsPlants• Clams/OystersClams/Oysters• AlligatorAlligator• ShrimpShrimp• Catfish, hsbCatfish, hsb• Red Drum, largemouth bass, bream (bluegill), Red Drum, largemouth bass, bream (bluegill),

Frogs, etc.Frogs, etc.

Tropical FishTropical Fish• Production in Miami in the late 1920s. Production in Miami in the late 1920s.

• World War II veterans liked colorful Asian tropical fish and aquatic plants World War II veterans liked colorful Asian tropical fish and aquatic plants

• 1960 shipped Florida raised fish round-the-world tour. 1960 shipped Florida raised fish round-the-world tour.

• Today, tropical fish production is concentrated in Hillsborough and Polk Counties Today, tropical fish production is concentrated in Hillsborough and Polk Counties

• Ornamental fish are Florida’s most valuable aquaculture products (49%)Ornamental fish are Florida’s most valuable aquaculture products (49%)

• 2003 151 producers with farm gate sales of $47.2 million. 2003 151 producers with farm gate sales of $47.2 million.

• 800 species produced. 800 species produced.

• Guppies, mollies, swordtails, tetras, gouramies, goldfish, angels, barbs and African Guppies, mollies, swordtails, tetras, gouramies, goldfish, angels, barbs and African cichlidscichlids

AlligatorsAlligators

• Used for meat, leather, ornaments, etc.Used for meat, leather, ornaments, etc.

• Culture began following ESA listing of Culture began following ESA listing of alligators as endangered in the early 70’s, but alligators as endangered in the early 70’s, but natural populations soon rebounded!natural populations soon rebounded!

• Culture continues today. Harvesting of wild Culture continues today. Harvesting of wild gators still viable industry.gators still viable industry.

Today, alligator culture is a thriving industry!Today, alligator culture is a thriving industry!

AlligatorsAlligators

Lakeland even has ‘em!Lakeland even has ‘em!

Historically, we have always been harder on Historically, we have always been harder on alligators than they have been on us.alligators than they have been on us.

BivalvesBivalves

• Oyster industry off-shore, in-shore is old (>20 yrs.) Oyster industry off-shore, in-shore is old (>20 yrs.) and on the decline. (why?)and on the decline. (why?)

• Many workers displaced.Many workers displaced.

• Clam industry born!Clam industry born!

• Clam industry is newer (<20years) and on the rise.Clam industry is newer (<20years) and on the rise.

Oyster HistoryOyster History