Important Contacts
Agencies/ Regulatory
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Aquaculture
600 South Calhoun St., #217
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Telephone: 850-617-7600
Fax: 850-617-7601
Web Site: www.fdacs.gov/Divisions-Offices/Aquaculture
The Division issues the Aquaculture Certificate of Registration required by all aquaculturists in the state of Florida. The Division is also the application point for submerged land leases to culture shellfish and live rock, the regulatory of shellfish processing plants, and the classification of shellfish harvesting areas.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Bureau of Food and Meat Inspection HACCP Program
3125 Conner Boulevard, Suite H
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1650
Telephone: 850-245-5520
Fax: 850-245-5553
E-mail: FoodInsp@FDACS.gov
Web Site: https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Food-Establishments/Food-Safety-A-Z-Business-Resources
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_haccp
Regulates food processing, storage, and sale including Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) program. All food processors and handlers are required to possess a Food Permit from the Department unless the operation is under continuous state or federal inspection.
Education/ Extenstion
General, Foodfish, and Baitfish Aquaculture Production
Dr. Cortney Ohs, Assistant Professor
University of Florida
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
c/o Indian River Research and Education Center
2199 South Rock Road
Ft. Pierce, FL 34945-3138
Telephone: 772-468-3922
E-mail: cohs@ifas.ufl.edu
Web Site: https://irrec.ifas.ufl.edu/
Technical assistance in foodfish (including shrimp and prawns) and baitfish aquaculture in Florida
Ornamental Aquaculture Production
Mr. Eric Cassiano, Assistant-In Aquaculture
University of Florida
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory
1408 24th Street SE
Ruskin, FL 33570
Telephone: 813-671-5230 Ext. 109
Fax: 813-671-5234
E-mail: ericcass@ifas.ufl.edu
Web Site: http://tal.ifas.ufl.edu
Provides information on Florida commercial ornamental fish and plant aquaculture through workshops and one-on-one contact. The laboratory also performs industry-driven research and has a full-service fish disease diagnostic laboratory.
Shellfish Aquaculture Production
Ms. Leslie Sturmer, Multi-County Shellfish Aquaculture Extension Agent
University of Florida
c/o FWC Marine Lab
PO Box 89
Cedar Key, FL 32625
Telephone: 352-543-5057
Fax: 352-543-6958
E-mail: lnst@ifas.ufl.edu
Web Site: http://shellfish.ifas.ufl.edu
Provides technical assistance to the Florida shellfish aquaculture industry through workshops, one-on-one contact, and a quarterly newsletter.
Aquatic Weed Control
Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
7922 NW 71st Street
Gainesville, FL 32653
Telephone: 352-392-1799
Fax: 352-392-3462
E-mail: CAIP-WEBSITE@ufl.edu
Web Site: http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/
Economics
Dr. Charles Adams, Professor
University of Florida
Florida Sea Grant Extension Program
Food and Resource Economics Department
1099 McCarty Hall B
Gainesville, Florida 32611
Telephone: 352-392-1845, extension 223
Fax: 352-846-0988
E-mail: adams@ufl.edu
Web Site: http://www.fred.ifas.ufl.edu/showdirectoryentry.php?id=96&membertypeid=1
Financial and business analysis for the production of marine species in Florida.
Fish Disease Diagnostics / Fish Health Certificates
Dr. Roy P.E. Yanong, Associate Professor and Extension Veterinarian
Ms. Deborah Britt Pouder, Coordinator of Research Programs & Services/Diagnostic Lab Manager
University of Florida
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory
1408 24th Street SE
Ruskin, FL 33570
Telephone: 813-671-5230 Ext. 109
Fax: 813-671-5234
E-mail (Yanong): rpy@ifas.ufl.edu
E-mail (Pouder): dbpouder@ifas.ufl.edu
Performs diagnostic services for the commercial ornamental aquaculture industry. Dr. Yanong is also a USDA-APHIS accredited veterinarian who can sign health certificates for domestic and international shipments of fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Dr. Kathleen H. Hartman, Veterinarian/Aquaculture Epidemiologist
USDA Veterinary Services
c/o University of Florida
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory
1408 24th Street SE
Ruskin, FL 33570
Telephone: 813-671-5230 Ext. 109
Fax: 813-671-5234
E-mail: Kathleen.H.Hartman@aphis.usda.gov
Web Site: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/
Endorses health certificates for international shipments of fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Fish Reproduction
Dr. Frank Chapman, Associate Professor
University of Florida
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
7922 NW 71st Street
Gainesville, FL 32653
Telephone: 352-392-9617 Ext.247
E-mail: fchapman@ufl.edu
Main area of interest is in the reproductive biology and larval development of aquatic organisms, particularly of ornamental fish and ancient fish species such as sturgeon.
Nuisance Animals
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Wildlife Services
c/o University of Florida
Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory
1408 24th Street SE
Ruskin, Florida 33570
Telephone: 813-671-5230 x 105
Fax: 813-671-5234
Web Site: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ws/
Technical assistance to deter wildlife (bird, mammal, and reptile) damage on agricultural crops (including aquaculture)
Seafood Processing / HACCP
George Baker
University of Florida
104 Aquatic Food Products Laboratory
586 Newell Drive, POB 110370
(352) 294-3902 (office)
(352) 262-5133 (mobile)
glba@ufl.edu
Marketing
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Bureau of Seafood and Aquaculture Marketing
The Mayo Building, P42
407 South Calhoun St., 411-B
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Telephone: 850-617-7280
Fax: 850-617-7281
E-mail: seafood@doacs.state.fl.us
Web Site: http://www.fl-aquaculture.com
Generic and commodity-specific marketing assistance (technical assistance, point-of-purchase materials and trade events). Provides trade lead referrals, trade show planning, market research and development, marketing orders, agricultural marketing cooperatives, and industry statistics. Publishes a biennial directory of seafood, aquaculture, and marine life product suppliers. “Fresh from Florida” promotional campaign membership including monetary incentives for logo use.
Affiliated Associations
Florida Farm Bureau
P. O. Box 147030
Gainesville, FL 32614
Telephone: 352-378-8100
Web Site: http://www.floridafarmbureau.org
Florida Tropical Fish Farms Association
P. O. Box 1519
Winter Haven, FL 33882
Telephone: 863-293-5710
Fax: 863-299-5154
E-mail: flassn@aol.com
Web Site: http://www.ftffa.co
National Aquaculture Association
PO Box 1647
Pine Bluff, AR 71613
Telephone: 870-850-7900
Fax: 870-580-7902
Web Site: http://www.thenaa.net