1. Florida Bivalve Aquaculture BMPs Paul W. Zajicek Biological Administrator Division of Aquaculture Florida Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services Charles H. Bronson Commissioner of Agriculture

2. Division of Aquaculture Sovereignty submerged lands. Shellfish Harvesting Area. Shellfish handling and processing. Aquaculture Certificate of Registration. Best Management Practices. On-farm BMP compliance.

3. Sovereignty Submerged Lands Leases 628 aquaculture leases containing 1,553 acres. 73 shellfish leases containing 1,190 acres. Aquaculture leases are located in 14 coastal counties. 21 Aquaculture Use Areas in 9 coastal counties.

4. Best Management Practices Intended to preserve environmental integrity while eliminating cumbersome, duplicative and confusing environmental permitting and licensing. Minimum standards necessary for protecting and maintaining offsite water quality and wildlife habitat. Adaptable to a variety of farm sites, operations, and species. Law and rule-based, not voluntary.

5. BMP development 1. Identified need. 2. Technical Advisory Committee. 3. Internal agency review/congruency with State Constitution. 4. Public administrative rule process.

6. Hatchery/Nursery Operations Site Selection Facility Operations Pipe Placement Lease Operations Public Health Protection Genetic Protection Disease Prevention Shellfish Grow-out Marine Bivalve BMPs

7. Challenges Creating grower buy-in and adherence to conservative human health protection rules. Agency limitations. Farmer innovation and public resources.

8. Paul Zajicek 850-488-4033 zajicep@doacs.state.fl.us zajicep@doacs.state.fl.us http://www.FloridaAquaculture.com