Florida Offshore Aquaculture, Inc.

Research/commercial feasibility

study for mariculture in the

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

Environmental Concerns

Proposed Conditions 

1. All fingerlings will be raised from Gulf brood stock and certified disease free. 

2. FOA, Inc. will implement the EPA’s monitoring plan with monthly reports to the EPA, NMFS, Florida Department of Agriculture and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The University of South Florida’s Center for Ocean Technology will take and report on the 63 sampling sites. 

3. If chemotherapeutants are used, then only with the consent of a USDA accredited veterinarian. 

4. No toxic chemicals will be used to prevent bio-fouling of the cages.

 5. NOAA Fisheries will be notified immediately if the cages are damaged or malfunction, any escapement of more than 20% of stock, any mortalities greater than 10% of the stock, any entanglements with marine mammals or endangered species. 

6. Reports on diseases, any use of chemotherepeutants, changes in faunal composition, benthic and water column quality monitoring and all landings of aquacultured fish species will be made quarterly. 

7. Samples/records be maintained and made available for source feed batch codes, total number of fish by species, estimated size of fish and dates of introduction.

8. Names address and phone number of suppliers and analytical facility assessing suppliers disease status. Frozen samples of any mortalities and/or morbidities as per USDA standards. Fingerlings be satellite DNA documented prior to cage introduction. 

9. Fish will be maintained intact until offloading ashore. All products will be reported in accordance with State and Federal requirements. The sale of all products will be to dealers licensed by the State of Florida. 

10. NOAA Fisheries will be notified not less than 24 hours prior to harvesting. 

11. FOA, Inc. after all permits are secured will apply to the State of Florida for aquaculture certification.

12. FOA, Inc. will comply with the provisions of: A Code of Conduct for Responsible Aquaculture in the EEZ.

Endangered Species and Marine Mammals

Ocean Spar has not reported any entanglements with any Marine Mammals or Endangered Species.

Washington state - 1 cages - 36 monthsPhilippines - 3 cages - 252 monthsCyprus - 1 cage - 24 monthsSpain - 1 cage - 12 monthsPortugal - 1 cage - 24 monthsNew Hampshire - 3 cages - 54 monthsNew York - 1 cage - 24 monthsPuerto Rico - 2 cages - 24 monthsHawaii - 3 cages - 48 monthsChina - 2 cages - 48 monthsGulf of Mexico - 1 cages - 36 months

Total of 582 months with no entanglements or escapes