| The culture of aquatic
species in Florida has had a long and interesting history, dating back
to the early 1950s. Returning World War II veterans brought home an appreciation
of colorful Asian tropical fish and aquatic plants. They began experimenting
with outdoor culture in the warm climate of South Florida and in 1960 demonstrated
the feasibility of air transport for world-wide shipment of Florida-raised
tropical fish and plants. Techniques of spawning and handling of freshwater
and marine food fish, aquired by state and federal fishery biologists,
was shared with enterprising farmers creating another segment of the industry.
Some of these biologists even left public service to start small businesses
dedicated to producing fingerling catfish and striped bass. Former alligator
poachers turned to farming, when the American alligator became listed as
an endangered species in the late 1960s, proving that alligator culture
was commercially feasible and environmentally compatible. In the late 1960s
and early 1970s, Dr. Winston Menzel of Florida State University pioneered
hard clam culture through a series of successful experiments. Robert Ingle,
Florida’s first state marine biologist, proved that a summer oyster, when
properly fed, could be cultured to produce a fat, flavorful product equal
in quality to a winter harvested oyster. This pioneering work led to the
economically feasible production of the cornerstone species of Florida
aquaculture.
Click here to learn more about
invasive species in Florida |
Much of Florida aquaculture
consists of ornamental species: tropical fish and plants. The largest air
freight item out of Tampa International Airport is live tropical fish and
plants destined for domestic and international markets. Over 800 varieties
of ornamental fish are produced in Florida. Aquatic plants are grown to
satisfy three different markets: aquarium, water gardening and wetland
restoration. Species range from delicately shaped aquarium plants, to flowering
water lilies, to submerged wetland grasses, shrubs and trees. Over 500
aquatic plant species are grown and sold to enhance the function and aesthetics
of aquariums or garden pools and fountains.
The fastest growing segment of Florida aquaculture is the culture of
hard clams on submerged coastal lands leased from the State of Florida.
Coastal fishermen caught the aquaculture bug in the mid-1990s and have
quickly propelled Florida to the number one producer of farm-raised hard
clams.
Another valuable shellfish is the American oyster, now cultured on over
500 acres of State-owned submerged lands leases. These leases, located
in Apalachicola Bay, yield a very flavorful oyster that is served on the
half-shell to discerning oyster connoisseurs throughout the United States.
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