Industry Segments
Ornamental Fish | Aquatic Plants | Shellfish | Alligators | Food Fish
Ornamental Fish
Ornamental fish for the home aquarium is Florida's most valuable aquaculture commodity, accounting for 50 percent of total aquaculture sales. The 2005 survey of the Florida Agricultural Statistics Service reported 133 producers and farm gate sales of $33.2 million. Farming operations are concentrated in Hillsborough and Polk counties with smaller concentrations in Dade and Palm Beach counties. These areas have convenient access for air shipment and make farm-raised ornamental fish the largest volume airfreight item shipped from Tampa International.
While the freshwater ornamental fish industry has grown since the first survey of the industry in 1987, two significant events have negatively impacted the industry in recent years. The advent of pet super stores has changed traditional patterns of distribution and sales: Small retailers and the wholesale network that serviced them are disappearing.The industry also believes that new hobbyists, typically children, are declining in numbers due to interest in other activities related to personal computing.
Many of Florida's small farms are surviving by modifying their production to focus on certain species, locating unaffected markets and providing better service and delivery. Many small producers have, for the first time, begun packing and shipping directly to pet shops. Standard pond production technologies are being gradually improved and intensified to increase production system control and profitability. This includes the use of greenhouse pond covers for freeze protection and pond aeration and recirculation systems to intensify production. In addition to increasing production, the use of recirculation systems should reduce or eliminate concerns related to nutrient discharge, water use and the release of non-native species.
Marine ornamental production is of great interest to Florida producers. Pilot projects and research programs have indicated that several species are capable of being produced in the state. This is potentially a segment that could undergo major expansion in the future. Marine ornamentals are particularly attractive due to high prices and good profit potential. Research is needed to evaluate and select the best candidate species and develop new techniques for reproduction, larval rearing and commercial cultivation.
The future for ornamental species production, which requires warmer climates and higher levels of technology than many other forms of aquaculture, is extremely bright in Florida. Florida producers continue to culture and market new species and varieties of freshwater fish. The University of Florida has recently expanded its role with the renovation and expansion of the Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory in Ruskin. Through the facility, the University provides additional industry support, including research, demonstration, disease diagnostics and general extension services. These accomplishments, with the addition of marine ornamental production, are expected to help the ornamental industry maintain its position as the largest segment of Florida aquaculture.
Aquatic Plants
The Florida Agricultural Statistics Service reported aquatic plant sales of $17.5 million by 19 growers during 2005. Aquatic plants produced by Florida aquaculturists include those for aquariums, wetland restoration, food and water gardening.
Aquarium plant producers strive to propagate colorful, slow-growing submerged plants that will enhance the beauty of home aquariums. These plants are available bunched, bare-rooted or potted, depending on their growth characteristics and value. Florida growers significantly expanded production during the past five years to meet the growth of the water gardening hobby.
A wide variety of native aquatic plants as well as aquatic plant habitats are damaged directly or indirectly by human habitation. Ecologists, engineers, botanists and other professionals have developed techniques to restore damaged wetlands and mitigate losses of these habitats. New laws requiring such restoration of damaged wetlands have created a mitigation plant industry. The demand for mitigation plants is directly tied to the construction industry and the state's efforts to gradually phase out the collection of wild wetland plants.
Shellfish
Shellfish, such as clams and oysters have long been cultured in this country; however, hard clams, Mercenaria mercenaria, M. campechiensis and their hybrids, are a relatively recent addition to Florida aquaculture. Clam farming is Florida's most rapidly growing aquaculture industry segment with $10.7 million in sales by 153 growers in 2005 versus 1995 sales of $5.41 million by 142 growers. The dramatic increase in production, sales and the number of producers is largely due to a series of retraining programs completed in Dixie, Levy, Taylor, Volusia, Charlotte and Lee counties during the past several years. These programs utilized state and federal funds to teach clam and oyster culture techniques to eligible commercial fishers negatively impacted by changing fishery regulations.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has measured changes in market demand and product valuation through shellfish wholesale buyer and consumer surveys and analysis of market prices. Over the last five years a significant shift in distributor and consumer perception toward Florida farm-raised hard clams has occurred. This positive shift has been reflected in increased market value and absorption of the dramatic increases in supply. These positive trends are a result of: 1) promotional support from private and public sources to increase buyer knowledge of Florida farm-raised clams, 2) consumer directed hard clam promotional and educational efforts, 3) improved product quality and handling practices implemented by a conscientious hard clam industry, and 4) phased adoption of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) program with a concurrent nationwide educational campaign by the Seafood HACCP Alliance that boosted general consumer confidence in seafood safety and quality.
Oyster farmers reported sales of $0.9 million during 2005. Oyster culture is currently being conducted on several large shellfish leases located in Apalachicola Bay. Most shellfish leases in other parts of the state are out of production or are being used for clam culture. Rather than employing the more intensive techniques used by clam farmers, oyster growers simply enhance the natural productivity of the leased area by placing oyster shell on the bottom. The shell increases productivity by providing substrate for the collection and support of natural oyster larvae or "spat." Low product demand has resulted in depressed prices during recent years.
Alligators
Unique amongst the many species cultured by Florida aquaculturists is the American alligator. Globally recognized for its dramatic recovery from a federally listed endangered species, the commercial trade in alligator meat and leather is enabled through the Convention in International Trade of Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES). As driven by the Convention and the Endangered Species Act, commercial harvest and on-farm production of alligators has been successfully managed through federal and state programs.
Combined sales of farm-raised alligator meat and hides increased to $4.07 million by 14 growers during 2005. The market demand and value for alligator leather goods has fluctuated dramatically during recent years as dictated by economic cycles experienced by Asia, Europe and North America. Florida alligator hides are sold in green form (salted and rolled) to tanners who process the hides into valuable leather that is ready for use by the manufacturing sector. Although the majority of hide tanners are located in Italy and France, Florida growers do sell hides to several small tanners in the Southeastern United States. Manufacturers located in Italy, France, Japan, Singapore and the U.S manufacture tanned hides into a variety of luxury items.
Interest in alligator meat as a gourmet or novelty food is increasing as top-rated restaurants feature alligator appetizers and entrees in their menus. The demand for alligator meat is expected to continue to exceed supply. Alligator meat is generally marketed as a boneless, frozen product with a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission label to identify the meat as a legal product.
Through a cooperative agreement among the alligator industry, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, a portion of CITES alligator hide tag validation and egg collection fees are being used to support marketing and educational programs designed to increase the demand for American alligator products. To accomplish these goals, collected fees are transferred to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and with the guidance of a seven-member Florida Alligator Marketing and Education Advisory Committee (FAME) promotion and education projects are prioritized and markets are targeted. FAME has stretched its dollars by pooling monies and matching efforts with the Louisiana alligator farming industry. Sustainable harvest of wild stocks linked to controls on international trade has become a critical message at international leather shows in Italy, Hong Kong, Miami and Mexico. Attractive alligator product advertisements have been published in high-fashion U.S. magazines. Developing and maintaining fashion markets remains high on the industry's priority list in addition to strengthening market demand in the United States and Central and South America.
Food Fish
Food fish production in the state consists of three main species: catfish, tilapia and hybrid striped bass. Florida growers are using a variety of culture systems, ranging from pond production to recirculation systems to cage production. Florida is one of the most competitive and active seafood markets in the world. Approximately $1.16 billion worth of imported seafood and $210 million worth of locally harvested seafood flow through Florida-based businesses for sale to the rest of the United States and the world. Small Florida farmers raising food fish have selected species and developed niche markets to avoid the competitive pressure of domestic and imported products.
Catfish
Catfish farming is the largest segment of U.S. aquaculture with 2005 production exceeding 1.1 billion pounds worth $897 million. The primary production states are Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and Alabama. Florida's catfish farming industry is small, despite significant efforts that have been made by the public and private sectors during the past 10 years. Catfish production in the state during 2005 was worth $1.43 million dollars.
Developing a large-scale catfish industry in Florida will be difficult due to a number of economic factors that place Florida at a competitive disadvantage to the primary catfish-producing states. These disadvantages include higher average costs for land and pond construction, which represents the two greatest fixed costs, and higher average feed costs, which represents the greatest variable cost and no in-state processing facility. Florida also lacks a track record in catfish production making commercial loans difficult to obtain. Nonetheless, the state is currently experiencing a surge in interest.
Tilapia
Total farm gate sales of tilapia were $477,000 by 18 growers in 2005. Florida growers use a variety of culture systems such as intensive recirculation systems and extensive cage production in ponds.
Tilapia has received a great deal of interest by prospective fish culturists throughout the United States because of its excellent resistance to disease, adaptability to intensive and extensive culture systems, tolerance to crowding and poor water quality and good meat quality. Tilapia is of particular interest in Florida because it is a warm water species with poor cold tolerance, giving southern portions of the state an advantage over most other parts of the country. Tilapia production has several significant challenges including early sexual maturity (leading to uncontrolled spawning, overcrowding and stunting), difficulty for harvest in pond systems, higher processing costs than many other species and very competitive pricing on imported tilapia products.
Marketing represents the greatest single constraint to industry growth and development due to dramatic increases in the importation of low-priced tilapia. Persons interested in tilapia farming are encouraged to thoroughly investigate the market before beginning production. Within the last 15 years, frozen tilapia imports (fillet and wholefish) have dominated the domestic market and live markets, once available to Florida producers, have been captured by production closer to the primary consumption centers (New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Toronto).
Hybrid Striped Bass
Hybrid striped bass are a high-value food fish produced by a few farmers in the state. Due to the small number of hybrid striped bass producers, statistical information cannot be reported without jeopardizing the confidentiality of survey participants. Florida's 2006 production was estimated to be approximately 422,000 pounds. Hybrid striped bass production in the U.S. was estimated by the Hybrid Striped Bass Growers Association to be 11.2 million pounds during 2005.Hybrid striped bass continue to attract attention as a food fish species in Florida and across the country due to its high market value. Crossing a striped bass with a white bass produces the hybrid. This hybrid offers several production advantages over either parental species, and it commands a high price due to its excellent appearance, texture and flavor. Although the hybrid can be cultured in a variety of systems, producers often select intensive tank and raceway systems to allow periodic, partial harvests to meet market demands without stressing the entire crop. It is also important to note that commercial sources of fingerlings for stocking are generally available only during the spring (March) due to the natural spawning cycle of the parental fish. Fingerling producers are only recently investigating the prospect of spawning fish out of phase. The availability of fingerlings can fluctuate considerably from year-to-year and prospective producers are advised to establish advance contracts.
Average market prices have declined during the past several years as U.S. production capacity has increased and wild striped bass stocks have recovered to an extent that a quota-based commercial fishery negatively impacts market price. No wild fish, larger than 2.5 pounds, command a higher price per pound than smaller-sized farm-raised fish. Florida-produced hybrid striped bass are sold as a whole, ice-packed product to "white tablecloth" restaurants across the country and in Europe. Air shipments are the most common means of transporting product to maximize the freshness and shelf life.
