The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in Alabama as a result of rainfall and flooding from April 1 through June 30, 2018. The loans are available in the following counties: Colbert, Franklin, Lamar, Lauderdale, Marion, Mobile, …
State of Florida Ices Shrimp Rule
Shrimp harvested in Florida waters and shipped out for human consumption literally won’t have to be put on ice any longer. With an eye on growing Asian markets across the U.S., the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved a rule change Thursday that required shrimp harvested as food to be dead and put on ice when transported from the …
Crayfish Personalities May Be Key to Understanding Water Ecosystems
Just like people come in different personalities, animals vary in their behavior. For example, some crayfish can be shier while others are bolder, a University of Florida scientist says. While crayfish are known as those little, lobster-like crustaceans eaten by some as a delicacy in soups, bisques and étouffées and are used by others as fish bait, Lindsey Reisinger and …
State Funnels More Money to Addressing Water Woes
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is pumping another $4 million into efforts to help local communities suffering from red tide and a massive algae outbreak, raising spending to $13 million for the water problems. The agency’s money will be used in Pinellas, Manatee, Collier, Sarasota, Lee and Martin counties. The added spending, announced Tuesday by Gov. Rick Scott’s office, …
Agri View: Plastic Destruction
Everett Griner is taking a serious look at a big problem. Everett talks about the destruction we are creating for our oceans with plastic in today’s Agri View. Plastic Destruction How often do you use a plastic straw? What do you do with it when you are finished? It doesn’t really matter. It generally winds up in our oceans. I …
Agri View: Catfish Hybrid Catching On
Everett Griner talks about catfish farming and the hybrid catfish in today’s Agri View. Everett questions why people continue to buy imported catfish. Catfish Hybrid Catching On Catfish farming is not as prominent as it once was. It’s not dead either. There are who not only grow them. They are improving them. The catfish has long been the stepchild of …
Green Leaf Grill Wins Bama’s Best Catfish Contest
Four finalists; three judges; two days; and one winner. That set the table for judging Bama’s Best Catfish July 26-27. The Green Leaf Grill in Mentone took top honors in the competition sponsored by the Alabama Catfish Producers, a division of the Alabama Farmers Federation. The contest carried judges from Mentone, in the northeast corner of the st, south to …
Fish and Chicken Top Sources of Foodborne Viruses
A new study by the Centers for Disease Control finds fish and chicken as the most linked foods for foodborne disease outbreaks. Over a six-year period, the CDC analyzed more than 5,700 foodborne disease outbreaks that result in more than 100,000 illnesses and 145 deaths. Norovirus was the most common disease, followed by Salmonella. Multistate outbreaks comprised of only three …
UF/IFAS Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory Director Inducted into Florida Tropical Fish Farms Association Hall of Fame
When Craig Watson, Director of the University of Florida IFAS Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, got his first aquarium at age 7, he couldn’t have predicted the important role that fishing and aquaculture would play in his life. “My brother and I would spend hours watching the fish, but I had no idea then it would be the beginning of a career.” On June …
FSA’s Risk Mitigation Program Pays Off After Irma for Florida Shellfish Hatchery
Bay Shellfish Company is a commercial hatchery in Florida, located south of the Tampa Bay area on Terra Ceia Island. The operation, opened in 1996, is the first commercial hatchery to produce commercial oyster seed in the state. “We produce shellfish for research, restoration and commercial production,” said Curtis Hemmel, owner and operator of Bay Shellfish Company. Hemmel’s company isNAP …