Florida Aquaculture New Opportunities in Agriculture Cortney L. Ohs

Florida Aquaculture Production: 2003 Florida producers reported sales totaling $95.5 million. 544 active producers using 6450 acres Thousands of people are employed throughout Florida

Florida Aquaculture Production: Freshwater ornamentals Florida tropical fish sales totaled $47.3 million in 2003 Sales of freshwater ornamental fish constituted over 49.4% of aquaculture revenues in Florida Trend toward greenhouses and tanks rather than ponds

Florida Aquaculture Production: Aquatic Plants Aquatic plants totaled $20.4 million in growers used over 407 acres of surface area Aquatic plants are sold for water gardens, aquaria, and wetland restoration

Florida Aquaculture Production: Hardshell Clams Clam production $13 million in 2003, making Florida the leading clam producer in the U.S. Many fishermen have become clam farmers, particularly in Cedar Key, Charlotte County, and along the Indian River Lagoon

Florida Aquaculture Production: Tilapia Tilapia sales reached $1.5 million from 17 producers in 2003 The industry has experienced steady growth in size with a slight decline in the number of producers

Florida Aquaculture Production: Catfish and Other Sport and Gamefish Catfish sales increased to $1.5 million in growers (mostly in the panhandle) used 776 acres of surface waters. Sport and gamefish production was $2.8 million, with 26 growers operating on 238 acres.

Florida Aquaculture Production: Alligator - Alligator mississippiensis US $2.45 million farmgate in 2003, with 14 producers Producers sold 812,000 pounds of meat at $4.11/pound 16,565 hides were sold at $99/hide ($1.64 million total)

Florida Aquaculture Production: “Other Aquatics” “Other aquatics, including crawfish, freshwater prawns, eels, marine ornamentals and others were valued at $895 thousand in 2003, representing a strong diversification of Florida’s aquaculture industry.

Opportunities for the Future of Aquaculture in Florida Shrimp –Low salinity marine shrimp –Freshwater prawns Marine fish species –Baitfish –Ornamentals High value freshwater fish species –Ornamentals –Hybrid striped bass –Barramundi

Marine Shrimp Low salinity culture methods have been demonstrated in ponds and raceways Currently 5 commercial ventures Relatively high investment costs High density intensive culture methods High per acre production 1 crop per year Well established worldwide markets Competition from imports Marketing effort required to attain premium retail prices

Marine Bait Shrimp Low salinity possible Must be native species High market value Multiple crops per year Requires consistent supply of juveniles Broodstock maturation required

Freshwater Prawns Low input Low density Semi-intensive Two crops per year in FL Requires marketing effort to attain high retail prices Viable option for small ponds and canals

Marine Baitfish

Huge established markets with high demand Natural spawning techniques known Research needs –Low salinity growout –Handling and holding methods –Larval culture techniques –Pond and tank growout methods

Cage vs. Pond Culture of Fish Can utilize existing bodies of water with no modification Construct cages and docks Requires aeration Requires construction of levees and drains Requires aeration Cage Pond

Potential Fish for Cage Culture Tilapia Hybrid striped bass Barramundi / Asian Sea Bass

Huge production in Australia and S.E. Asia Cultured in fresh or low saline water Pond / Cage / Tank High stocking densities Very rapid growth rate High market value ($8/lb retail for whole fish) –Well established foreign markets with high demand –Developing markets in US

Additional Information David Griffis UF IFAS Extension Natural Resource Agent

Cortney L. Ohs, Ph.D. Assistant Professor - Aquaculture Indian River Research and Education Center 2199 South Rock Road Fort Pierce FL Phone: ext. 130

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