Creating a “Model” State Shellfish Program

Foundation of effective programs: Industry involvement (formal mechanism) Strong Leadership: –Industry –Agencies Workable structure and organization

Suite of Programs Needed: FDA (NSSP) certified food safety program Resource management/water quality protection Leasing program Marketing/Promotions

Components of effective programs: Permit requirements transparent, consistent Permit application process streamlined, clear, quick Limited number of agencies involved OR Involved agencies coordinate and communicate effectively to avoid duplication of requirements Involved agencies responsive, well informed: Able to balance regulatory mandate with reality of industry Agency leadership strong and responsive

Example 1: Massachusetts Program under two agencies: Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources –Agro-Environmental Technical Grant Program Marketing, R&D funding Division of Marine Fisheries: –Shellfish Sanitation and Management –Health certification (NSSP) –Technical assistance to growers –Environmental Protection –Statistics

Massachusetts Fees Propagation license (To possess or move seed): $10 year Commercial shellfish permit: $35 year Lease fees: $25 per acre

Example 2: Florida All permits and promotional functions under one roof: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Division of Aquaculture Aquaculture Review Council - made up of farmers Health Certification (NSSP) Resource protection/management Production and technical assistance Product promotion and advertising Financial assistance (liaison with financial institutions)

Florida Fees Initial license application fee: $200 Certification fee: $50 Annual lease fee: $26.33 per acre

Example 3: Washington Shellfish programs scattered across several agencies: Department of Health –Health certification (NSSP) Department of Fish and Wildlife –Aquatic Farm Registration and Quarterly Production Reports –Disease and Pest Control: Transfer permits –Hydraulic permits (for subtidal activities) –Resource management Department of Natural Resources –Leases Department of Agriculture –Marketing, promotions assistance

Annual Certification fee: $250 - $1,147 Annual PSP testing fee: $423 - $2,336 Aquatic Farm registration: No fee Lease fees: Negotiated on a grower-by-grower basis by several DNR field agents. Range: $1,000 - $40,000 per lease based on acreage or 30% of gross sales Washington Fees:

Example 4: New Jersey Programs under two agencies Department of Agriculture –Aquatic Farm License Department of Environmental Protection –Division of Fish and Wildlife Bureau of Shellfisheries –Shellfisheries Council »Leasing »Health certification (NSSP) »Habitat Protection, Resource Management

New Jersey Fees: Lease fees:.50 cents - $2 per acre +.75 cents to $1.95 per bushel for wild set Clam license: $50 annually (commercial and recreational) Oyster license: $10 annually (commercial and recreational)

Louisiana Programs housed in two agencies Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries –Louisiana Seafood Promotions and Marketing Board Louisiana Oyster Task Force: All regulatory agencies, governor’s office, industry (only industry votes) –Marketing/promotions –Education of legislators, congress, regulatory agencies –Oyster Strike Force –Marine Fisheries Division Leasing Resource management, Enforcement Louisiana Office of Public Health –Health certification (NSSP)

Louisiana Fees Health certification: Free Lease fees: $2 per acre License fee $5 Seed transfer permits: $100 (with $5,000 performance bond) Tag fee:.15 cents per tag –Promotions, marketing -.05 –WQ monitoring -.05 –Oyster Strike Force -.05