By Jaci Schreckengost
One of the main goals at Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Division of Research is to help create new ways of thinking and creating to benefit the agriculture industry in the Southeast.
Tallahassee Community College (TCC) and FAMU have teamed up in an effort to help increase the oyster industry. Timothy Moore, vice president of research at FAMU, says TCC has created a program to reach new areas including Wakulla and Apalachicola Bay in Florida. He says Australian technologies that include using baskets, instead of the typical bottom-feeding style, are being used.
Testing the water to see the impact oysters have on the water is one way FAMU is helping TCC.
“As you may know, an oyster filters 50 gallons of water a day per animal, so you put millions and millions of these animals in the water, you’re cleaning the water, reestablishing the ecosystem and bringing in large sport fishing,” says Moore.
FAMU is also helping by making hatcheries for spat more accessible and affordable for oyster ranchers.
Moore says he wants people to recognize that FAMU is here to help by partnering with others, such as TCC, to improve the industry.
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