Shellfish resource development activities in Florida

Shellfish resource development activities are employed to increase shellfish production in 21 of the 37 shellfish harvesting areas within Florida. Restoration operations to enhance oyster production include deposition of cultch, relaying, and seed transplanting. Hard clam production has been enhanced by the establishment of high density aquaculture lease areas and other aquaculture activities. Other shellfish, enhancement activities sponsored by the state include: scallop restoration activities, assisting county governments with stormwater management programs to improve water quality in shellfish harvesting areas, training county government staff to evaluate and monitor shellfish harvesting areas, previously closed by the state due to budgetary restrictions, and cooperative programs with local, state and federal agencies that led to restoration of traditional harvest grounds previously closed due improperly treated sewage discharged from coastal communities. Two shellfish harvesting areas (Apalachicola Bay in Franklin county and Cedar Key in Levy county) are provided or examples where resource enhancement and aquacultural activities have a profound effect with assisting fishermen displaced by the recent ban on the gill netting industry and providing shellfish harvesters with supplemental income in times of need.