Sturgeon Production Working Group

Working Group Composition

The Sturgeon Production Working Group is created within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services by Florida Statute 379.2524 to encourage the continuation and advancement of work being done on aquaculture sturgeon production in keeping with the state's legislative public policy regarding aquaculture provided in Chapter 597, Florida Statutes. It also finds that it is in the state's economic interest to promote the commercial production and stock enhancement of sturgeon and shall be composed of seven members as follows: The head of the sturgeon research program, or designee, from the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences; one representative from the Department of Environmental Protection to be appointed by the Secretary of Environmental Protection; one representative from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to be appointed by the executive director of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; one representative from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to be appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture; two representatives from the aquaculture industry to be appointed by the Aquaculture Review Council; and, one representative from a private nonprofit organization involved in sturgeon production work, to be appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture.

Responsibilities

The working group shall meet at least twice a year. The purpose of the Sturgeon Production Working Group is to coordinate the implementation of a state sturgeon production management plan to promote the commercial production and stock enhancement of sturgeon in Florida. In carrying out this purpose, the working group shall: establish a state sturgeon production management plan; support management strategies; support the development of a cooperative sturgeon conservation program; seek federal cooperation to implement the sturgeon production management plan; develop enforcement guidelines; establish a sturgeon broodstock committee; and, establish the Cooperative Broodstock Development and Husbandry Board.