The Franklin Chronicle A LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER 11 June 1999 Page 7 ARPC Applies for Grant to Study Fish Markets Angel Wing Clam Research Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Fort Pierce, reports in Their latest "Acquaculture Report," a new angel wing clam project, sponsored by Nature Coast Industries. The angel wing clams are known for delicious ten- der meat and white shells, along with a rapid growth rate. They reach marketable size (50-60mm; 15 18 grams live weight in three to four months. By comparison, hardshell clams require 16-20 months to grow to one inch across the hinge and attain the same weight. The new angel wing research project will focus on methods to improve harvesting without damaging the delicate shell. For additional information, contact Harbor Branch Oceano- graphic Institution, Inc. Aquacul- ture Division, 5600 US 1 North, Fort Pierce, Fla 34946 or http:// www.aquaculture-online.org. SAquaculture CD-ROM to be Available in 2000 The world's first digital textbook on aquaculture is being developed at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Fort Pierce, FL. The CD-ROM is entitled "World Aquac- ulture Primer" and provides deep coverage typical of 'college-level' aquaculture texts, augmented with images, graphics, anima- tions and digital video highlight- ing aquaculture topics, including: history, water quality issues, cul- ture systems, and techniques, nutrition, aquatic health, environ- mental and regulatory issues, and economics. For additional infor- mation, e-mail: masterson @hboi,edu; Phone: 561-465- 2400, ext 417. The Apalachee Regional Planning Council has recently applied to the Fiscal Year 1999 Economic Recovery grant program, admin- istered by the U. S. Dept. of Agri- culture, for funds to assist distressed coastal communities affected by the 'Net Limitation Amendment.' The proposal is entitled the "Apalachee Region Live Fish Market" and is designed to evaluate the live fish market in the eastern United States. The sale of live marine foodfish for human consumption was identi- fied as a potential income source at a recent meeting coordinated by the ARPC and the Florida State Rural Development Council. In the outcome of that meeting, there is little or no information existing describing qualitatively or quan- titatively the value, demand, sup- ply, or buyers of live market fish. Anecdotal evidence indicated to the ARPC representatives that the Asian communities of large met- ropolitan areas (such as Atlanta, Chicago, New York and Philadel- phia) are the largest markets for live marine foodfish. The grant would fund a formal study about the process, conditions, and re- quirement of sale such as mini- mum qualities and payment schedules, projected sales volumes and availability of haul- ers of live product to wholesale markets along with secondary activities such as food service as- sociations and establishments. The project would require person- nel having experience and exper- tise in evaluating agricultural markets. Dr. David Zimet of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (University of Florida) will serve as principal investiga- tor. A market representative from the Bureau of Seafood and Aquac- ulture would assist in the study. The project will be administered by the ARPC. The ARPC was created through a series of interlocal agreements among its member local governments and by the Florida Legislature. The ARPC serves 9 counties and 28 municipalities in the areas includ- ing, but not limited to, growth management, economic develop- ment, transportation, and emer- gency management. The ARPC has administered federal, state and private sector grants awards. The second phase of the project would be to train fishers to handle and maintain the live catch. The grant proposal was transmit- ted to the Dept. of Agriculture in late April. Gag/Black Grouper Regulatory Amendment To Be Reconsidered At The July Council Meeting The Council will reconsider the Gag/Black Grouper Regulatory Amendment at its July 12 15, 1999 meeting, in Key West, Florida. The regulatory amend- ment was approved by the Coun- cil in March. It proposed a 423 nautical square mile area off the west coast of Florida that would be closed to all reef fish fishing and an increase of the minimum size limit for gag and black grou- per that would be phased in from the current 20 inches total length (TL) to 24 inches TL. At the July Council meeting, all measures contained in the regulatory amendment will be reconsidered, and public testimony will be taken. The Council's decision to recon- sider the regulatory amendment was based on arguments put forth in a minority.report submitted by the 5 members who voted against the original approval, and on a strong negative reaction to the proposed measures by many members of both the commercial and charter/headboat sectors. Prior to the July Council meeting, a public workshop will be held in Panama City to receive comments from the public and representa- Stives offishing and consemation organizations for alternatives to the original proposed measures. The workshop occurs June 23, 1999. It begins at 8:30 a.m. and will be held at the Oakland Ter- race Clubhouse, 1900 West 11th Street, Panama City, FL 32401. FranklinChronicl Alligator Hunting: Hunters may take one alligator per permit. These hunts should not be confused with the public waters alligator harvest. Hunters may apply or a permit to take one alligator in the Tenoroc Fish Man- agement Area, or Guana River, Ocala, Holey Land, Everglades, Francis S. Taylor or Three Lakes wildlife management areas. There is no permit fee for alligator hunts, but the hunter must purchase an alligator trapping license. Alliga- tor trapping licenses cost $250 for Florida residents and $1,000 for non-residents. The GFC will offer one hunt on Guana River and Holey Land and two hunts on each of the other areas. Florida Depatritmni Of Agriculture And Consumer Services Bureau Of Seafood And A Rnciulture 2051 East Dirac Drive Tallahassee, Florida 32310-3760 Aquaculturists, Expect To Hear From Us Certified aquaculturists should expect renewals to arrive early in May for the July 1, 1999-June 30, 2000, certification year. Aquacul- ture certification is now tied to the Department's new role as the pri- mary regulatory agency for aquac- ulture in the state. You will no- tice that the renewal application requires the applicant to affirm they intend to comply with Best Management Practices (BMPs) for aquaculture or applicable interim measures. Interim measures mean that farmers are expected to comply with the requirements that existed prior to the regula- tory change to the Department. Aquaculture certification is re- quired of aquaculturists in the state. If you need an application or have questions, contact the Aquaculture Section at 850/ 488-0163. If You Need the Information, We Have It! Call today for a copy of the mar- ket analysis and enterprise pro- duction budget reports for farm-raised hard clam, farm-raised bait shrimp and fish, wild harvested sponge and can- nonball jellyfish. Market assess- ments for sturgeon and tilapia are also available. Contact Berenda Williams (phone 850/488-0163, e-mail ) for your copy. Public Hearing Set For Amendment The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Man- agement Council (Council) will hold public hearings to receive comments on "Draft Amendment 12 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic, Including Environmental Assessment and Regulatory Impact Review" and "Draft Amendment 17 to the Fish- ery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources, Including Envi- ronmental Assessment and Regu- latory Impact Review." Both of these amendments seek to con- tinue a moratorium on the issu- ance of new commercial permits. Monday, June 14 1999 City Hall Auditorium 300 Municipal Drive Madeira Beach, FL 33708 Tuesday, June 15, 1999 National Marine Fisheries Service Panama City Laboratory 3500 Delwood Beach Road Panama City, FL 32408 Toward Farm-Raised Southern Flounder Researchers with the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution's (HBOI) private industry partners, Nature Coast Industries, are continuing their work on Southern Flounder (Paralichthy lethostigma) by try- ing to improve brood stock fecun- dity and fertilization and increase larval survival using intensive rearing techniques and improv- ing survival during weaning from live feeds to artificial diets. The Nature Coast Industries project will determine the best methods We're Almost There!! To secure the $250,000 grant from the State of Florida, we must match that amount by July 1, 1999. At this time, we have raised $185,000 and need an additional $65,000. TIME IS RUNNING OUT. WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW. Please donate to: THE CARRABELLE LIBRARY BUILDING FUND, P.O. Box 722, Eastpoint, FL 32328. With your help, we CAN build a new Carrabelle Library. for large-scale fingerling produc- tion in hatcheries and developing technologies for land-based recir- culating growout systems. The result to date have been very successful, according to HBOI. Since August 1998, forty broodstock were acclimated to the greenhouse production system. Thousands of eggs were produced during the winter 1999 reproduc- tive season. After hatching, eggs were transferred to larval rearing tanks. Many of the larvae have metamorphosed and have been weaned onto dry feed. Dr.. Daniel Benetti, research sci- entist on the project, said: "...This year we have mastered the tech- nology for controlled reproduction and are developing the larval hus- bandry and fingerling production techniques for southern floun- der." I I - s