Division of Aquaculture

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is Florida's lead aquaculture agency. We coordinate and assist in the development of aquaculture and regulate aquafarms to protect and conserve Florida's natural resources.

There are an estimated 1,500 species or varieties of fish, plants, mollusks, crustaceans and reptiles grown in the state. 

The Division of Aquaculture is responsible for implementing Chapter 597, Florida Aquaculture Policy Act, Florida Statutes, by:

• Developing and enforcing regulations governing commercial aquaculture.
• Leasing of coastal state submerged land for aquacultural purposes.
• Providing contacts for financial, educational and technical assistance to Florida aquafarmers.
• Certifying and inspecting shellfish processing plants.
• Classifying and monitoring shellfish harvesting areas.
• Supporting the Aquaculture Review Council.

Popular Links

• 2020 Florida Aquaculture Industry Overview [ 519.2 kB ]
• Application for a State-Owned Sovereignty Submerged Land Aquaculture Lease[ ]
• Aquaculture Leaseholder and Authorized User Acknowledgement 2020-2021[ ]
• Aquaculture Newsletter No. 107, November 2020 [ 1.3 MB ]
• Best Management Practices Manual [ 714.5 kB ]
• Florida Aquaculture Plan (2020) [ 514.8 kB ]
• Import/Export Requirements for Aquatic Animals and Plants [ 668.5 kB ]
• Refrigeration Requirements for Shellfish at a Certified Dealer [ 176.3 kB ]
• Shellfish Aquaculture Lease Management Technical Bulletin #5 [ 5.2 MB ]
• Shellfish Harvester Education Training
• Shellfish Harvesting Area and Aquaculture Lease Map

Shellfish Harvesting Area and Aquaculture Lease Map

The interactive map below displays location information on shellfish harvesting areas, aquaculture leases, shellfish processing facilities and water quality sampling stations. For descriptions of the map features, select the points or polygons. See the links below for additional information and downloadable maps.

View Larger Map 

Visit the  Shellfish Harvesting Area Status page for up-to-date area open/closed status and more information about each area.

Visit the  Aquaculture Submerged Land Leasing page for additional information about aquaculture leases.

Visit the  Shellfish Processing Facility Certification page for more information about shellfish processing facilities in Florida.

To request data displayed in the map, please contact the Division of Aquaculture at (850) 617-7600 or  Aquaculture_Web@FDACS.gov.