Page 12 11 June 1999 A LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER The Franklin Chronicle ing, 2) encore HACCP training and 3) organized industry meetings. Phase III consists of a third round of inspections and if deficiencies are still discovered, FDA will in- voke injunctions and product sei- zure. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Ser- vice (DACS), Bureau of Food and Meat Inspection, also conducts HACCP inspections in coopera- tion with FDA to prevent duplica- tive visits. For additional informa- tion contact FDA Compliance Of- ficer Ken Hester, 407/475-4730, DACS Environmental Administra- tor Dr. Wayne Derstine, 850/ 488-3951 and Seafood Extension Specialist Dr. Steve Otwell, 352/ 392-4221. Flag Day June 14th 'Y Fly The Flag Market Assessment from Page 2 The total annual value of imported caviar has ranged from $3.07 million to $12.2 million. Over the last two years value has almost doubled from an aver- age $6.4 million (1993 through 1995) to $12.2 million. The price per kilogram has mirrored increasing volume and value. Since, 1991 price fluctuated from $96 per kilogram to $117 per kilogram with an average of $105 per kilogram. The 1997 value of $154.92 is a significant increase (68 percent) from the average. This trend of rapid price escalation may continue. As of July 1998 the average value was $204.68 per kilogram for the first seven months of 1998. The extent to which price fluctuates over the year is unknown, but coupled with the price spike of 1997 there is a strong indication the end-of- year 1998 price may set a new record. Unfortunately, NMFS reports a blended value for imported caviar. There was no attempt made to report values based on the caviar grade. A number of factors are considered when grading caviar: Uniformity and consistency of the grain, size, color, fragrance, flavor, gleam, firmness and vulnerability of the roe skin. There are three grades of caviar: Grade I ideally combines all the properties and must be firm, large grained, delicate, intact and of fine color and flavor; Grade 2 has normal grain size, very good color and fine flavor: and Pressed caviar is composed of a high percentage of fractured roe blended with a heated saline solution and then pressed to remove excess salt and oil. Ap- proximately four pounds of fresh caviar is used to produce one pound of pressed)-, The Florida Market for Sturgeon A telephone survey of wholesalers providing fresh, frozen or smoked product to white tablecloth restaurants was completed. Several assumptions were made to assist in the selection of wholesalers to survey. These assumptions were: 1) sturgeon products are expensive relative to the fish available to Florida-based wholesalers, 2) only wholesalers servicing accounts capable of and interested in buying unusual and expensive seafood might buy and sell sturgeon, and 3) potential wholesalers would be located in Florida's metropolitan regions (i.e., Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando and Tampa) containing restaurants with a clientele affluent enough to purchase sturgeon as an appetizer or entree. Sturgeon Meat The small number of wholesalers that have bought and sold sturgeon meat and their very similar responses yielded a qualitative analysis of the Florida market. Sturgeon meat was purchased by these respondents upon request by their clientele. They were' selling to white tablecloth restaurants with order amounts -ranging from 20 pounds on an irregular basis to a winter season purchase of. 200 pounds to 300 pounds per week. "Bullets" (and fillets were purchased with most of the product being farm-raised sturgeon bullets from California. An estimated 90 percent of the sturgeon meat sold in Florida is domestic. A sturgeon "bullet" is a headed, gutted and tailed caicass. Tuna are sold in a similar condition called "logs." Some wholesalers used "bullet" and "log" interchangeably. Other sources included Canada and Uruguay (wild stur- geon) and Italy (farm-raised sturgeon). None of the wholesalers held sturgeon products in inventory. Because the ordering was irregular, wholesalers esti- mated prices for farm-raised products which ranged from $4.50 to $5.80 per pound for bullets and $8.50 per pound for fillets. A significant amount of sturgeon is imported and smoked as a value added activity, but wild product is the preferred material for smoking (farm-raised product lacks sufficient fat content and the bullets are too small). Sturgeon Caviar The caviar sold in Florida comes from Russia, Canada, Iceland, Spain, Israel, United States or Japan. Respondents estimated in 1997 that two tons of Rus- sian caviar and a greater amount of domestic caviar was brought into Florida for sale within the state and for sale outside the state (domestic and export). Imported caviar is brought in as bulk packaged product and broken down by the wholesaler into small, metal tins. Wholesalers would not comment on the price paid for bulk import. The value of wild domestic, processed caviar pur- chased by these same wholesalers ranged from $40 per pound to $50 per pound. The principal markets for caviar are white tablecloth restaurants, gour- met food retailers and air or cruise lines. Marketing Sturgeon in the Eastern United States During the fall of 1996 staff of the Mitchell Aquaculture Farm completed a sturgeon market survey. They contacted 27 of 40 companies in the eastern United States that were buying and selling fresh or frozen sturgeon "bullets", fillets and roe. The companies reported paying $4.00 to $5.00 per pound and $5.00 to $5.90 per pound, respectively, for bullets and fillets. Size ranges for bullets and fillets were 5 to 15 pounds and 2 to 8 pounds, respectively. The companies bought sturgeon meat sporadically or on special order in quanti- ties of 50 to 500 pounds per week. Roe was purchased on a special order basis for $7.00 per ounce (American sturgeon) or $33.06 per ounce (Beluga stur- geon). Of the 27 companies contacted, 21 expressed an interest in expanding the volume of sturgeon products purchased. Buyers noted as general com- ments: * Meat price is a barrier to market expansion. * Most sturgeon is sold to white tablecloth restaurants. * Consumer recognition is weak.- SBuyers need samples and source information. SPoint-of-sale materials are needed (nutritional and recipe information). SSturgeon meat suffers from off-flavor problems. SSupply is inconsistent. Conclusions Florida is an ideal seafood market to introduce new products. A very strong and diverse food service industry is patronized by a cosmopolitan population of visitors and a growing resident population that anticipates eating the finest seafood available. A very well developed seafood industry infrastructure exists that can rapidly integrate and absorb new products. Growth in culinary ap- preciation, as exemplified by exciting blends of Caribbean, European and American cooking, thrives on the introduction of new center-of-the-plate en- trees or appetizers. Florida wholesalers are familiar with sturgeon fillets or bullets. Wholesalers expressed frustration in not finding consistent supplies at prices that they could offer to a wider audience of food service buyers. Currently, sturgeon products enter Florida under a weak "pull" market scenario (limited number of buyers seek out the product). Wholesalers expressed confidence in the quality of sturgeon and its potential as a premium seafood item, when and if, price and availability improve. An ideal price would parallel high-quality tuna or swordfish and range from $3.75 to $4.50 per pound for bullets sold to whole- salers servicing the food service market. Wholesalers suggested that promo- tional activities at the International Foodservice Expo and the availability of samples would fuel their efforts to develop sales. Sturgeon caviar is truly international in its production and consumption, The volume and value of imported product exhibits a strong growth trend. A mid-year price for 1998 of $204.69 per kilogram or -$93 per pound may indi- cate price increases have not ceased. Domestic product (wild and farm-raised) does not suffer a stigma of poor quality or flavor. As one wholesaler remarked, "The best caviar comes from sturgeon." His point being the source of the sturgeon has little bearing on quality. Qual- ity is determined by egg uniformity, firmness, integrity, texture, size, color. fragrance and flavor. The value of bulk farm-raised, domestic processed caviar ranges from $40 to $50 per pound with high quality product being $200 per pound. Price is driven by market segment and grade with farms being at a disadvantage in relation to the quantity of imported caviar available. A copy of the expanded study may be had by writing Bureau of Seafood and Aquaculture, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 2051 East Dirac Drive, Tallahassee. FL 32310-3760. A longer version of this article was presented at a Sturgeon Production Work- ing Group meeting, October 23, 1998, at the University of Florida, Depart- ment of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Gainesville. Florida. Information for The U.S. Seafood Market was provided by National Fisheries Institute web site http://www.nfi.org. By Paul Zajicek The Food and Drug Administra- tion (FDA) has implemented a phased Hazard Analysis and Criti- cal Control Point (HACCP) en- forcement program for seafood processors. During Phase 1, pro- cessors receive unannounced vis- its by FDA inspectors followed by "untitled" letters that identify de- ficiencies. Phase 11 consists of a second unannounced Inspection followed by "warning" letters iden- tifying deficiencies. During Phases I and II, FDA and the University of Florida are collaborating to of- fer these opportunities to correct deficiencies: 1) one-to-one discus- sion concerning deficiencies, HACCP plans, critical limits, cor- rective actions and record keep- Joyce Estes Bayside Gallery and Florist Art of the Area Art Supplies Gifts and Collectibles Custom Frame Shop Flowers for All Occasions Complete Wedding Services & Event Planning 1-800-929-8931 Hours: 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Highway 98 P.O. Box 585 Eastpoint, FL 32328 Office: (850) 670-8931 Res.: (850) 670-8323 wwwap,, hil.combayi.n Long bream Gallery CUSTOM WEDDING RINGS Designs just for you by your own Hometown Goldsmith KRISTIN. Visit us for anniversary and birthday presents and unusual gifts for other special occasions. Custom Pearl Knotting and Bead Stringing by your own Hometown Professional Bead Stringer HELEN. "We make the piece, you make the heirloom." FINE ART JEWELRY = VALUE FOREVER. Waxen Candles, Soaprocks, Jonathan Spoons, Toys, Ornaments and More. Handmade by Living American Artists. LONG DREAM GALLERY 57 Market Street Apalachicola 850-653-2249 FDA Moving On HACCP Franklin F anklin June 11- July 24, 1999 Bulletin Board By Tom Campbell Friday, Saturday, June 11-12 Tallahassee Builders Fishing Tournament, Carrabelle. Phone Chamber for more information 697-2585. Saturday, June 12 APTA Alligator Point meeting. 9 a.m. Saturday, June 12 Emergency FIP Signup, to Replant Pines. Landowners, if you have lost planted pines due to fire, flood, disease, or drought you may be eligible for costshare through the Forestery Incentive Program (FIP) to re- plant. Contact the USDA-NRCS office in Blountstown for information and application 850-674-8271. Applications will be serviced by the local DOF county forester. Conctact Brian McGraw, District Conservationist. Monday, June 14 Wilderness Coast Public Libraries Governing Board will meet Monday, June 14, 1999 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wilderness Coast Public Libraries office in Crawfordville. For more information, phone 850-926-4571. Monday, June 14 Domestic & Sexual Violence Task Force & Volunteer Meting, June 14, 1999. Get active in the Healthy Family movement. For addi- tional information, time, location call 697-3983. Monday, June 14-22 Gulf Coast Community College. Registration will continue for the second summer session June 16-18, Wednesday and Thurs- day, 7:30 a.m. until 6.p.m., and Friday, 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., in the Office of Admissions and Records. Registration will require payment of fees the same day. Registration at the Gulf/Franklin Center will be held June 14-15, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. (EDT). Registration will require payment of fees the same day. Classes for the Summer B semester will begin June 21. Late registration will continue June 21-22: on campus from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Tyndall Air Force Base from 3:30 to 6 p.m.; and the Gulf/Franklin Center from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. (EDT). Registration will require payment the same day. More information about summer registration is available at 850-872-3892 or 850-872-3809. Contact: Sue Gordon. Tuesday, June 15 Tyndall Job Fair Open to the Public. The 325th Service Squadron Human Resource staff will hold ajob fair from 8 a.m. noon June 15 and 16 in the Tyndall Community Activities Center's Emerald Room. Ap- plications will be accepted for positions as bar waiter, dining room waiter, custodial worker-housekeeping, custodial worker-janitor, food service worker- bus tables, food service worker-dishwasher and food prep, grill cook and bar- tender. Selection will be based on merit without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factors. Applicants who are not authorized to enter Tyndall may get a pass at the base visitor center. For more information, call 850-283-2019. Tuesday, June 15 Lanark Village Water and Sewer Department meeting, Chillas Hall, Lanark Village, 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 16 Saturday, June 19 Southeastern Fisheries Asso- ciation Annual Meeting, Howey-in-the-Hills, Mission Inn Resort. Contact the association at 850-224-0612. Thursday, June 17 Chamber of Commerce, Carrabelle, meeting at 7 p.m. at the Chamber. Phone 697-2585 for more information. Friday, Sat., Sun., June 18, 19, 20 Yamaha Big Bend Fishing Tourna- ment Carrabelle. Phone 697-2585. Friday, Sat., Sun., June 18, 19, & 20 The dates for a training blitz for volunteers who would like to help their community when a disaster strikes. If you are interested please try to attend one or several of the following Disaster Services courses. All Disaster Services courses are offered at no charge. To register please call the Disaster Services Office at the Capital Area Chpter in Tallahassee at 894-6741, in Perry at 584-6663 or in Apalachicola at 653- 3952 or fax your name, phone number and course selection to 878-3441 or e- mail us at tallaha@cr6ssnet.org. Friday, June 18th, 6:00 p.m. Introduction to Disaster Services; Saturday, June 19th, 9:00 a.m. Emergency Assis- tance to Families I; Saturday, June 19th, 9:00 a.m. Shelter Operations: Saturday, June 19th, 1:00 p.m. Shelter Simulation: Sunday, June 20th, 9:a.m. Mass Care: An Overview; Sunday, June 20th, 1:00 p.m. Logistics: An Overview; Location of Training 187 Office Plaza Drive Tallahassee, FL Monday, June 21 The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Coun- cil) will convene its Mackerel Advisory Panel (AP) asnd Scientific and Statisti- cal Committee (SSC) to review "Draft Amendment 12 to the Fishery Manage- ment Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic, Including Environmental Assessment, Regulatory Impact Re- view, and Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis." Draft Amendment 12 con- tains provisions for extending the commercial king mackeral permit morato- rium from its current expiration date of October 15, 2000 by three or five years in order, to provide time for the Gulf and South Atlantic Councils to develop and implement a controlled access system for the king mackerel fish- ery. The Mackeral AP will be convened at 1:00 p.rm. (EDT) on Monday, June 21, 1999 and will conclude by 2:00 p.m. The SSC meeting will be convened at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) on Tuesday. June 22, 1999 and will conclude by 12:00 noon. Wednesday, June 23 The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a workshop to receive public input on possible changes to its proposed Regulatory Amendment to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan to Set 1999 Gag/Black Grouper Management Measures. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, June 23, 1999 at the Oakland Terrace Clubhouse, 1900 West 11th Street, Panama City, Florida. It will begin ot 8:30 a.m. and continue for as long as necessary. Wednesday, June 23 Prior to the Jily Council meeting, a public workshop will be held in Panama City to recieve comments from the public and repre- sentatives of fishing and conservation 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 Terrace Clubhouse, 1900 West 1 Ith Street, Panama City, FL 32401. Saturday, July 24 Hurricane Awareness Day. 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Taylors Building Supply, Hwy 98 & Franklin Street, Eastpoint. Participants include: Franklin County Emergency Management Department, Apalachee Regional Planning Council, Lanark Village Volunteer Fire Department, Franklin County Emergency Medical Services, Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. Please send events with complete information to: Tom Campbell, P.O. Box 451, Carrabelle, FL 32322, or phone 850-697-8358. START A HOME-BASED BUSINESS. 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J Offices in Apalachicola, Panama City .." and Tallahassee SSPECIALIZING IN ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY ISSUES INCLUDING: Wetlands regulatory permitting and development feasibility assessments; Environmental site assessments and audits; Marine construction including marinas, piers and shoreline protection 48 AVENUE D P.O. BOX 385 APALACHICOLA, FL 32329-0385 -(850) 653-8899 FAX (850) 653-9656 LUBERTO'S SAND & STONE INC. S SITE PREP CONTRACTOR MATERIALS SUPPLIER LAND CLEARING BUSH HOGGING S CUSTOM PONDS & DRIVEWAYS FILL DIRT LIMEROCK BUILDERS SAND S COMPOST TOPSOIL CYPRESS MULCH PALM TREES ASSORTED STONE & GRAVEL * S RIVER ROCK CRUSHED GRANITE ETC. CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE 850 670- 8143 153 HWY 98 EASTPOINT FL ^&^s^'