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In Honor of Jose

Family and friends pull together to continue the generous legacy of one of fshing’s brightest stars.

Best known for his Spanish Fly television show, Jose Wejebe was a master light tackle and fy fsherman with a gift for connecting with people and inspiring a passion in them for fshing and the marine world. His top-rated show helped establish ESPN2 as a viable network and it exposed thousands of anglers to new fshing techniques and locales around the globe. More signifcantly to those closest to him, Jose was known for his selfess nature and donated his time, money and equipment to numerous charities. On April 6, 2012, Jose’s life was cut short in a tragic, small plane crash. In honor of his memory, family and friends have established the Jose Wejebe Spanish Fly Memorial Foundation. One of its primary missions is to support the Make-a-Wish Foundation®, one of Jose’s favorite charities, by providing fshing adventures for those facing life’s biggest challenges.

In the past year, the foundation has already granted four fshing wishes, made possible by many fshing industry partners who have come alongside in support and honor of Jose’s memory. Under Armour, Yeti, Shimano, Costa Sunglasses and many other independent companies have donated boxes full of gear to the foundation’s wish recipients. The Square Grouper, Jose’s favorite restaurant, and the fshing community have also come together, ofering countless “gifts in kind” contributions. Fishing guides throughout the Keys and around the world have ofered and donated their services, as well. Currently, the foundation has three more wishes in the works, and is looking forward to what the future brings. As Jose would say, “With these experiences, you truly get more than you give.”

The Jose Wejebe Spanish Fly Memorial Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-proft organization. Details on current and future projects can be found at the foundation’s website, and donations can be made online or by contacting them directly. www.josewejebefoundation.org or email info@josewejebefoundation.org.

Jose Wejebe, late host of the popular Spanish Fly television series.

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GHOF Gets Dirty in Puerto Rico

The mangrove-lined lagoons of the San Juan Estuary are some of the

richest inland fshing spots, especially for tarpon, in Puerto Rico. In the shadow of the capital city, this ecological wonder is also well known as a bird watcher’s paradise, with herons, ospreys and other prized fowl abundant in the area. The problem? Tucked into the mangroves was an ugly scene: litter and trash abounded—plastic bottles, discarded coolers, refrigerators—all the things typically discarded in modern life.

Some of it had been dumped by locals, but most is thought to have drifted in via the rivers that fow into the estuary and lagoons from the highlands to the south. In either case, poor solid waste disposal and plain carelessness had resulted in a mess. Left unchecked, the trash would signifcantly harm what is a unique and special estuary. To keep that from happening, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation helped get behind a clean-up efort spearheaded by two local groups.

Approximately 500 volunteers picked up 28,000 lbs. of that trash

On Facebook: GHM’s own Ozzy Delgado blew up Facebook recently with this mouth-watering shot of dinner pulled fresh from the reef. “Reach” on this single image has climbed to 45,888…and counting. Check us out at facebook.com/guyharveymagazine.

during one Saturday in March of this year. Two groups organized the volunteer campaign: Israel Umpierre’s Pesca, Playa and Ambiente Group and Jose Aponte’s Kayakeros Association of Kayakers. The volunteers acted in a coordinated, organized assault on the trash. Kayakers rowed into the mangrove shores and collected trash in black bags. Tarpon charter captains then drove in to open spots to take the bags to collection depots onshore. Then, heavy garbage trucks drove in to collect the trash and haul it away.

The clean-up also drew attention from two members of Puerto Rico’s executive branch. The secretary of Natural and Environmental Resources, and the secretary of the Department of Sports and Recreation both attended the entire event, and the clean-up was covered by Univision and Telemundo, the newspaper Nuevo Dia—the largest on the island—and Pescando en los Cayos, the only Spanish language fshing show in the U.S. Organizers hope the success and media attention will lead to more clean-up projects in the future. Sea Bagz specializes in custom-made bean bags for your boat, home, offce or any other place you’d like to relax. Our seabagz are made with marine grade vinyl which can withstand all types of climates. You can fully customize your seabag from the texture to the colors, the stitching and even add a custom logo. We are also the only company in the industry to offer cup holders! To order your seabag, visit www.seabagz.com or call us at 305.797.4690!

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New Quadski Breaks the Barrier Between Land and Sea

The most startling thing about the new Quadski from Gibbs Sports Amphibian is that it’s real and not just a hyped-up prototype. This four-wheel ATV, which turns instantly into a jet-powered watercraft, boasts speeds of 45 mph on land or sea and transforms from one mode to the next in fve seconds or less. It’s going into production at a 54,000-sq.-ft. assembly plant in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and will be available to anyone who can swallow the $40,000 price tag.

While that may seem steep for a recreational vehicle, the Quadski does quite well what few other machines have ever attempted. The Gibbs highspeed amphibian is the product of millions of research dollars and years of development work in the United States, New Zealand and the U.K. It’s equipped with a 175-horsepower BMW Motorrad engine and transmission. With the press of a button, its wheels retract when entering the water and deploy when approaching land. It tips the scales at 1,300 lbs. and is equipped with a 15-gal. fuel tank.

More exciting than the Quadski itself may be the future of the “High Speed Amphibian” technology. The company has more than 300 patents and patents pending, and sees a great market for consumer, commercial, law enforcement and frst-responder use. While the Quadski is a single-rider vehicle, other applications are in the works.

“We’ve created an entirely new power sports category with our patented HSA technology. Quadski is especially designed for families and individuals who enjoy the outdoors, water sports, of-road travel, hunting and fshing,” says Neil Jenkins, the company’s chairman. “It ofers premium power-sports buyers a combination of power, safety, comfort and versatility that has never been available before.”

Designed to meet applicable state and federal safety requirements, the Quadski is 10.5 ft. in overall length; 5.2 ft in width; and 4.3 ft. in height with a wheelbase of 5.8 ft. It initially will be ofered in fve color options. www.gibbssports.com.

Ticket to Ride

You may not know it, but you’ve probably fshed in an MPA. Most of the U.S. coastline is under some form of fshery management. MPAs rarely ban all forms of fshing—those are called Marine Preserves or No Take Zones. Map: NOAA & Google.

BY FRED GARTH

Fishermen are a lot like sharks. We have an identity problem. With sharks, there are about 400 species roaming the oceans, yet only three—great whites, bulls and tigers—are responsible for the majority of serious attacks. Still, many people unfairly lump the other 397 species into a group of bloodthirsty killers.

With fishermen, there are also many species: there’s Bubba the bassmaster, Bob the beer-guzzling bottom fisher and Freaky Frank the fly fisher. We have ice fishing nuts, surf waders, bridge danglers and mega-yacht billfish hunters. It’s a group as varied as the fish we pursue. However, we all have one thing in common…we fish for fun and recreation. This brings us to another species altogether: the sunburned, calloused-handed, commercial fishing dude.

The problem is, like sharks, recreational and commercial fshermen are often considered the same in the eyes of regulatory agencies when, in fact, our DNA is completely diferent. The only similarity is that both groups spend a lot of time around the water. But that’s where the equality stops.

Unfortunately for anglers, our identity problem has and is causing us to be punished because many fshing regulations do not distinguish between the two groups. We are thrown in with the mega Japanese longline ship that indiscriminately catches turtles or manta rays in pursuit of swordfsh or the Ecuadorian purse seiner catching dolphins with their tuna haul. It’s unfair, but it’s a cold reality of modern day fshing management.

Not recognizing the distinction is especially harmful when we’re facing the most monumental marine management movement sweeping the planet, known as Marine Life Protection Areas (MPAs). MPAs play a vital role in protecting the ecosystem from such destructive practices as coral harvesting, longline fshing for sharks, or the large-scale removal of seafood or aquarium fsh from the wild. But in many cases, the bans or limits to “fshing” do not distinguish between recreational anglers who may catch a cooler of fsh on a hook and line and commercial feets who harvest vast amounts of seafood with gillnets, bottom trawls, longlines and fsh traps.

Not to demonize commercial fshermen, they work hard to provide products for fsh markets and seafood restaurants so we can enjoy fresh fsh when we don’t have time (or luck) to catch it. And, in the United States, the commercial guys have much more stringent regulations than, say, a big commercial boat from Taiwan. In fact, commercial feets along the Gulf of Mexico coast have implemented innovative programs like GulfWild (www.gulfwild.com) and Gulf Seafood Trace (www.gulfseafoodtrace.org) that put coded plastic tags on every fsh caught. Seafood buyers can go online and track where the fsh was caught, which boat and captain caught the fsh, and the time of day it was caught. Seafood shops and restaurants can track down where their fsh are coming from. While that creates more accountability, it is still commercial fshing, which should really be called harvesting. A rod, a reel, a lure, a group of buddies and a cooler of cold beer…that’s fshing.

Programs like GulfWild may never be implemented in far corners of the world. That’s why MPAs play an important role in protecting vast areas of ocean around places like Hawaii, New Zealand, the Phoenix Island (the world’s largest MPA) and other ocean “nurseries.” However, it’s altogether a diferent story when an MPA lands in your backyard or infringes on your favorite local fshing hole—a scenario that is happening with growing frequency from California to Florida.

Without going into government-like excessive detail, MPAs in this country are descendants of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which is still the principal federal law governing fsheries in the United States. This highly complex act was originally passed in 1976 and has been revised many times since. Just Google it and set aside a few hours of reading time. While Magnuson-Stevens certainly has its faws, in its four decades of existence, the act has been successful in protecting numerous fsheries. At the same time, other fsheries have declined, illustrating how difcult management of the marine resource can be.

The problem, according to the Congressional Sportmen’s Foundation and others, is that the law is too big not to fail. NOAA simply doesn’t have the resources or ability to fully comply. As an example of how broken the system is, a recent update could have caused massive closures to recreational fshing areas in 2010. (Again, this would have been closing recreational fshing to fx a problem caused by commercial fshing. The identity crisis rages on!) Fortunately, the government did not do this just to comply with the letter of the law, but the challenges of efective management remain.

In turn, this has helped push the development of MPAs, which are supposed to ofer a more concise and cohesive approach to fshery management than a patchwork of regulation and the complexity of Magnuson-Stevens. Today, MPAs are being implemented and managed both at the federal level by NOAA, which has an entire website dedicated to MPAs (www.mpa.gov) and also by individual states, like California.

Southern California State and Federal Marine Protected Areas

Vandenberg SMR***

Richardson Rock SMR*** Point Conception SMR Kashtayit SMCA**

Cam pus Point SMCA (No-Take)*

Goleta Slough SMCA (No-Take)*

Harris Point SMR*** Naples SMCA

Carrington Point SMR*** Painted Cave SMCA*** Scorpion SMR*** Anacapa Island SMCA***

Anacapa Island SMR***

Anacapa Island Special Closure***

Abalone Cove SMCA Bolsa Chica Basin SMCA (No-Take)*

San Miguel Island Special Closure*** Judith Rock SMR***

South Point SMR*** Skunk Point SMR***

Gull Island SMR***

State Marine Protected Areas

State Marine Reserve (SMR) State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) (No-Take)* State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) Special Closure South Coast Study Region Boundary

Federal Marine Protected Areas

Federal Marine Conservation Area Federal Marine Reserve Military Safety Zones (Closed Areas)

* This MPA, recommended by stakeholders as an SMR, is designated as an SMCA that allows no take, except as associated with activities regulated by other agencies, pursuant to any valid permits. ** This MPA, recommended by stakeholders as a State Marine Park (SMP), is designated as an SMCA, and could subsequently be designated an SMP at the discretion of the State Parks and Recreation Commission.

*** This MPA existed in its current state prior to adoption of the proposed regulation for the Marine Life Protection Act South Coast Study Region

Footprint SMR*** Point Dume SMCA Point Dume SMR

Point Vicente SMCA (No-Take)* Bolsa Bay SMCA

Santa Barbara Island SMR***

Begg Rock SMR Arrow Point to Lion Head Point SMCA

Cat Harbor SMCA

Farnsworth Offshore SMCA Bird R ock SMCA

Blue Cavern SMCA (No-Take)*

Long Point SMR

Casino Point SMCA (No-Take)*

Farnsworth Onshore SMCA Lover's Cove SMCA

San Diego-Scripps Coastal SMCA Upper Newport Bay SMCA

Crystal Cove SMCA

Laguna Beach SMR

Laguna Beach SMCA (No-Take)*

Dana Point SMCA

Swam i's SMCA

Matlahuayl SMR

South La Jolla SMCA

South La Jolla SMR

Famosa Slough SMCA (No-Take)* Cabrillo SMR

Tijuana River Mouth SMCA

Batiquitos Lagoon SMCA (No-Take)*

San Elijo Lagoon SMCA (No-Take)*

San Dieguito Lagoon SMCA

Projection Information:

World Mercator WGS 1984

¹

0

0 15

12.5 30

25 60 Miles

50 Nautical Miles

October 31, 2011

For complete MPA information including boundaries and regulations, please go to http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa

California’s entire coastline has a variety of MPA designations. Southern Cal, where 20-to-30 million people live, has highly-defned MPAs. Some are No Take Zones, but most allow fshing of some kind.

To digress slightly, it’s vital to the MPA discussion to clear up a widespread misunderstanding: not all MPAs are No Take Zones (NTZs). That’s a completely false misconception. In the United States, we currently have 223 marine reserves (the ofcial term for NTZs). These reserves cover 381,969 square kilometers, or 3.1% of U.S. waters, and 8% of the overall MPAs. That means 92% of MPAs in the U.S. allow fshing and recreation. Therefore, just because an area has an MPA designation doesn’t mean you can’t fsh there. In California, for example, where MPAs run the entire length of the state’s 840-mile coast, there are myriad defnitions. The state is one of the few that sometimes delineates between commercial and recreational fshermen.

“A state marine park allows recreational harvest, but not commercial,” said Kaitlin Gafney, Pacifc program director for the Ocean Conservancy. “A state Marine Conservation Area can be used in diferent ways; it may protect bottom dwelling fsh like rock fsh, but allow salmon fshing.”

Even though NTZs are limited, they spill into some of the most coveted and expensive waterfront property in California, such as Laguna Beach and Palos Verdes. That’s tough luck for some high-end property owners. Or you could call it a violation of one’s basic right to fsh from their own property.

California’s statewide MPAs went into efect in January of 2012 after a horrendously contentious 13-year battle and thousands upon thousands of hours of meetings with commercial fshermen, recreational fshermen, governmental groups and environmental organizations. In the end, some of the recreational fshing groups felt slighted, especially in Southern California, where almost 20 million people share the resource and some of the most popular and populated coasts were designated as NTZs.

“There was basically no listening to someone whose views were not popular,” says Bob Osborn, former fshery consultant for United Anglers of Southern California, one of the groups involved in a lawsuit against the state. “I was responsible [for the idea] that a light recreational footprint could achieve the results. But they singled out fshermen as having an impact, when clearly there was impact from pollution and other sources.”

John Henigin, 11-year host of FishTalk Radio and owner of Reel Fun Adventures in Santa Barbara agrees. “Generally speaking, the [decision makers] were not anglers,” says Henigin. “Marine biologists behind the process, they didn’t get all that they wanted, but they got most of it. The impression from the sports fshing community is that we got screwed, and it wasn’t a surprise.”

While most agree that it would be extremely irresponsible not to manage the marine resource, the rub comes when areas are designated No Take Zones and closed completely for all recreational fshing. NTZs carry a monstrous price for those who are most invested in the resource, namely recreational fshermen who—oh, by the way—have long funded marine conservation through license fees and sales taxes. The bottom line is this: recreational fshers are the funding backbone for fshery resource management in the United States.

In 2009, fshing license fees contributed over $604 million to states, much of which is earmarked for marine conservation. And more than $700 million was generated in excise taxes on fshing tackle and fuel for boats. Estimates are that over the last half century, anglers have contributed over $30 billion to resource management. So, fshermen argue, NTZs are biting the hand that feeds conservation eforts. Laws that should protect the resource from large scale fshing operations have also targeted recreational fshermen.

“All you have to do is look at how many fshing conservation groups there are across the country to understand how committed anglers are to conservation. But the people who write the laws don’t understand or want to recognize the diference in sportfshing and commercial fshing. It’s a major problem,” said Bill Shedd, president of the American Fishing and Tackle Company (AFTCO) and longtime recreational fshing advocate.

While many of the laws governing fshing do not separate recreational and commercial fshers, from an economic versus harvest point of view, the scales are even more unbalanced. According to the American Sportfshing Association, there are 13 million saltwater anglers in the U.S. generating 533,000 jobs and contributing $82.2 billion to the

This illustration is part of the Ocean Conservancy’s promotion of No Take Zones as the best form of marine protection. Recreational fshing groups claim that the science is not clear on NTZs and prefer management over closure.

nation’s economy. On the other hand, commercial fshing in the U.S. accounts for more than a million jobs with $32 billion in income and an annual value of $4 billion of seafood, which is nothing to sneeze at. Both contribute handsomely to the economy.

However, the one stat that puts it all into perspective is percentage of fsh harvested. Recreational fshing represents less than 3% of the U.S. harvest, while the commercial sector brings in more than 97% of the annual harvest. Those numbers alone should be enough evidence to exempt recreational fshing from the most stringent regulations.

Commercial fshing has felt the conservation belt tighten over the years with ongoing eforts to reduce bycatch and achieve sustainability. In the Gulf of Mexico, commercial guys going after snapper and grouper have to abide by Individual Fishing Quotas (IFQs) and many of the boats now have cameras aimed at the fshing decks, adding video records to the paper trail they’re already required to keep. Fortunately, there are both domestic and international success stories, such as swordfsh (see GHM Issue 11, “A Swordfsh Tale”) in which regulation and cooperation within the commercial sector helped a prized species bounce back from decline.

When Do NTZs make sense?

Even the most ardent opponents of NTZs recognize instances when banning fshing does make sense. Probably the best example is during spawning seasons. Guy Harvey’s documentary flm, Mystery of the Grouper Moon, illustrates how NTZs protect a specifc reef in the Cayman Islands during the fullmoon spawning cycle. In previous years, fshermen regularly took thousands of Nassau grouper as they (the fsh) gathered on a reef to spawn. In other regions of the Caribbean, unprotected spawning grounds have been fshed to extinction. Through the wonders of nature, grouper return to the same reef year after year, making them an easy target for fshermen, even with rudimentary gear such as hand lines. The Cayman Islands instituted a NTZ to make sure spawning fsh were protected. Considering the fact that every marine species has a spawning cycle, it makes sense to match both recreational and commercial fshing restrictions with reproductive seasons.

If you dive into the amazing whiz-bang World Wide Web, you’ll fnd overwhelming support for MPAs, as well as NTZs. A majority of scientists, conservationists and environmentalists are pushing for MPA expansion globally. There is also a tremendous amount of empirical data indicating that NTZs have a spillover efect, meaning that an NTZ creates a garden so fertile that the sea life spills into the take zones for fshermen to catch. This may be true and wonderful as long as it doesn’t encumber the guy who bought a fshing cabin so he could fsh from his dock.

One key objection is that NTZs in California and other parks are set in perpetuity and we all know that forever is a very, very long time. Reasonable alternatives include creating a catch-and-release only area until the resource strengthens. This process has proven to work well and would cause much less turbulence than closing a favorite fshing hole until the end of time.

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The ultimate goal, of course, is to manage our marine resources into abundance so that everyone can share in the bounty. It’s a lofty, idealist view, but there are many examples—black sea bass, goliath grouper, swordfsh, red snapper and the list goes on—in which mankind has skirted the Dodo bird scenario and actually helped a species to prosper. And, the whole point is, recreational anglers—who have a fractional impact on fsheries—have led the charge and funding of marine conservation over the past 40 years or more.

In the fnal analysis, we simply want to catch fsh and not be encumbered by regulations that go too far or unduly target recreational fshers.

Local Solutions in Long Island

Daniel Cartwright has been a commercial fsherman on Long Island for 23 years, but in the last several years, he has supplemented his income by guiding recreational anglers. He and his fellow fshermen have seen a once-rich resource dwindle. In fact, larger commercial fshing operations now travel 50 to over 150 miles away to reach productive grounds. This reality has created a welcome attitude among many commercial and recreational fshermen for the establishment of a new MPA, locally called a Marine Management Area (MMA).

“The proven success of the Exuma Cay Land and Sea Park is a good example of how conservation eforts work to restore an area,” says Cartwright. “I believe the same would occur with the Long Island Marine Reserve eforts.”

That sentiment is also being fostered by a very localized approach to designing Long Island’s proposed 480,000-acre MPA. Still in the development stages, the intent isn’t to restrict recreational fshing but to provide enforcement of the already established national regulations. In fact, the MPA would even allow some commercial fshing, with proper licensing and enforcement. The project is part of the larger Caribbean Challenge Initiative, which seeks to protect 20% of important coastal waters in the region by 2020. The Long Island MPA is being supported by a number of groups, including the non-proft Ocean Crest Alliance (OCA).

“They have generations of ocean knowledge and experience,” says OCA Director Joe Ierna Jr., “and it is their livelihood and heritage that are at stake.”

The OCA is currently busy developing scientifc monitoring programs and a regulations manual. Programs include protecting Nassau Grouper Spawning Aggregation Sites (SPAGS) and restoring conch and lobster fsheries. The group is also designing an environmental facility to be shared by multiple parties that would help support the proposed MPA fnancially. “Dedicated and sustainable funding is perhaps the most critical part of the MPA operations,” says Eleanor Phillips of The Nature Conservancy, which has been involved in the Long Island project. Eric Carey, of the Bahamas National Trust agrees. “Without adequate long-term funding, the [Long Island] MPA created will just be a ‘paper’ MPA,” he says.

For Long Islanders, establishing and maintaining such an MPA should mean a long future of fshing. For detailed maps and information about the Long Island MPA and the OCA facility, visit www.oceancrestalliance.org. —GHM Staf

It began with a lofty concept: build the Ultimate Fishing Machine. It took almost a year and a lot of blood, sweat and tears. But with the help of 30 fshing companies, we assembled the coolest and baddest fshing machine that has ever skimmed across salt water. The 30 manufacturers involved are listed briefy in the following pages. To learn more about the 29-foot, 600-horsepower fsh magnet, check out www.GuyHarveyMagazine.com for a complete rundown of this amazing boat.

By the way, in January 2014, this ultimate fshing boat, with its mind-blowing custom Guy Harvey wrap, will be sold at auction and you, dear reader, will have the chance to own it. Stay tuned to the GHM website for updates on the boat and the auction.

Special thanks to Ozzy Delgado, who almost singlehandedly put this entire project together.

Ocean Runner Boats

Custom built to be a serious ofshore fshing platform, this 29-ft. center console has an 8-ft., 6-in.beam, 24-degree transom and 40-degree bow deadrise, and will handle any swell. The highest quality fberglass construction is used and the hull, stringers, liner, console and deck are all bonded together to form one integral unit. A long list of standard features includes fsh boxes, live wells, casting platform, ample rod storage and the best in marine hardware. The walk-in center console has 6-ft., 1-in. headroom; fsh box capacity 300 gal.; live well capacity 50 gal.; casting platform 30 sq. ft.; fuel capacity 220 gal.

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Mercury Verado 300 HP

Twin Mercury fourstrokes deliver excellent torque and top-end performance from a 6-cylinder platform engineered for both durability and fuel efciency. We especially like the new, larger 5.44-in. gear case designed especially for large, ofshore center consoles, super charger and air cooler system for monster torque, and digital throttle controls that deliver precise, automotive-style handling and response.

MercuryMarine.com

AdGraphics

Putting paint on canvas is one thing, but getting Guy’s art on the boat was better done with 3M™ Scotchprint® boat graphics. A great solution for boat names, logos or a full wrap, the fnal product is warranted to handle the roughest seas and highest speeds. And best if all, it’s easy to change if we want a new look.

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AFTCO Apparel

From classic Guy Harvey T-shirts to performance wear, AFTCO apparel looks great and fshes better. Fishing shorts, technical shirts, footwear, polos, feeces, hats, belts—the Guy Harvey line includes everything you need for fshing or relaxing in style.

AFTCO.com

Sundance Marine

Instead of building the boat in Guy’s backyard (briefy discussed), we opted to partner with one of Florida’s premier dealers. With six locations in the Sunshine State, Sundance Marine ofers yacht sales, maintenance, repair, storage and brokerage services. They provided stem-to-stern rigging and equipment support for the GHM boat and we literally couldn’t have done it without them.

SundanceMarineUSA.com

All Marine Trailers

For getting to and from the water, we opted for a dualaxle sled from All Marine Trailers. It uses lightweight aluminum I-beam construction, with aluminum fenders and bunk and fender brackets. All hardware is stainless steel and bunks are pressure-treated wood. Underneath are galvanized Posi-lube torsion axles/spring axles and all trailers come standard with tongue and winch stand and a tongue jack.

AllMarineTrailers.com

Furuno Electronics

At the center of the boat’s electronics suite is Furuno’s NavNet TZtouch, a 14.1-in. Multi Touch, Multi Function Display. Like an iPad on steroids, it’s sunlight viewable and puts the power of every component at the captain’s fngertips with pinch-to-zoom, and other multi-touch functions. Tablet and smartphone apps even allow viewing and control from mobile devices.

Components connected to the TZT14:

• GP330B—this 14-channnel GPS/WAAS sensor provides 3-meter accuracy with fast, 1-minute start-up times. • DRS4D—a 4kW, 36-nautical-mile, 24-in. ultra-high defnition (UHD) digital radar that delivers crystalclear, noise-free target presentation with automatic, real-time digital signal processing. • DFF1—Furuno’s latest network sounder featuring

Furuno Digital Filter (FDF) Technology. It has a selectable 600W or 1kW output power. Users can choose LF (50kHz), HF (200kHz) or both at the touch of a key and obtain detailed echoes of bottom

structure and fsh using range scales of up to 5,000 ft. • 526TID-HDD Bronze Thru-Hull Transducer—includes temperature, built-in diplexer, high-speed fairing block and 10-pin connector. • PSU012 system power supply.

FurunoUSA.com

RipCharts Satellite Fishing Charts

Regional maps for sea surface temps, chlorophyll levels, buoy data and much more are available through RipCharts, allowing anglers to monitor conditions at their favorite sites and to pinpoint fsh-friendly conditions in their region. Maps can be viewed online with any device, including smartphones and tablets, and online tutorials are available for new users.

RipCharts.com

Lumitec Lighting

Done right, fshing is often a 24-hour activity. Appropriately, we rigged the boat with a full slate of lights, and Lumitech ofers some of the slickest applications for center consoles, including: • Mirage Flush Mount Down Light—twice the output of the competition, and compatible with a Lumitec or third party controller, this down light is available in white and 2-, 3- and 4-color options. • Capri2 and Caprera2 LED Flood Lights—dual-color food lights with options of white/blue or white/ red that come in wide, even, rectangular patterns for maximum coverage. • Rail2—a rail light with an integrated microprocessor to control dimming and color changes, with no external control modules. It’s also

IP67 compliant, which means it’s right at home on a spray-drenched hard top. • SeaBlaze3 Underwater Light—available in four output options, these 4-in. lights are surface mounted for fast, easy installation.

LumitecLighting.com

SeaDek, Inc.

To improve traction and ratchet up the comfort quotient, SeaDek installed their 6mm bow and gunnel pads, a set of 20mm coaming bolsters and a center console dash and backrest pad with Guy Harvey-inspired graphics. Each is a closed cell EVA material. It’s a UV-protected, nonabsorbent foam with a textured micro-dot surface and installs with a high-bond, pressuresensitive adhesive, so there’s no mounting hardware. All surfaces are stain-resistant and easy to clean. Most importantly,it ofers exceptional traction when wet, comfort for standing or leaning, and it protects boat surfaces. Kits and custom products are available.

SeaDek.com

AudioPipe Marine Stereo System

We got serious sound built for saltwater from AudioPipe. All components are built for use in saltwater environments with special coatings and manufacturing processes. The boat includes: 8-in. speaker, 6.5-in speaker, 10-in. subwoofer, four-channel amplifer and 16-gauge marine-grade, tinned copper speaker wire. It sounds better than Guy’s man cave.

AudioPipeMarine.com

Fortress Marine Anchors

Work smarter not harder—that’s our motto for the boat—so it was a no-brainer to hang a lightweight Fortress Anchor of the bow. The rugged, aluminum alloy construction and smart modular design have made Fortress among the most popular choices for ground tackle among all kinds of boaters around the globe. Easy to disassemble and stow, fukes can be positioned at 32- or 45-degrees for maximum hold and unique “mud palms” allow for a faster, more secure setting in any kind of bottom.

FortressAnchors.com

Release Reels

Manufactured to be lightweight and nearly indestructible, Release Reels are packed with smart features, like pre-set detents on the drag lever and drag knob, integrated drag stops, a reverse gear box design (patent pending) and shaped bridges with low-diameter spool. SG (small game) and BG (big game) models cover the bases for most excursions. They are highly functional, smooth fghting and made in the USA.

ReleaseReels.com

Gotcha Bite Lite

Water activated and submersible to 3,000 feet, these tiny LED lights come in a variety of colors and in multi-color confgurations. The original is .5-in. in diameter and approximately .75-in. long, designed to be inserted into squid baits for swordfshing. Also available are the Mega Bite Lite and Bait Lite.

GotchaBiteLite.com

Scent Blazer

Ofering a full line of both lures and teasers, Scent Blazer baits can be flled with bait, chum, lights or rattles, greatly enhancing their appeal to big game predators. Lures are available in sizes from six to 18 inches and patented “bowling pin” teasers come in eight and 12 inch lengths. Both blow-up the water with serious fsh-attraction sound, sights and smells.

ScentBlazer.com

Salt Armour Gimbal Covers

A classic, “Why didn’t I think of that?” solution to managing tackle, these gimbal covers not only protect the aluminum butt of your fshing rod from corrosion, they also protect everything the rod contacts, from scratches on fberglass and wood surfaces to abrasions on hands and seat cushions.

SaltArmour.com

Hansom Tackle AP-8 Aluminum Fishing Pliers

Born of the rugged demands of surf fshing in the northeast, these lightweight pliers have an aluminum body, stainless jaws and tungsten carbide cutters. Staggered serrations on the jaws allow for a perfect ft and better bite on braided or mono line. A Cordura sheath is included with each pair.

HansomTackle.com

DOA Lures

The names say it all—Big Fish Lure, Jerk Bait, Airhead, Jumbo Shrimp, Swimmin’ Mullet—DOA Lures have a bait to tempt the most wary inshore species. Throughwire construction, high-quality hooks and the widest range of colors and sizes give anglers a deadly arsenal.

DOALures.com

Hooker Electric Reels

Available in multiple models for Shimano Tiagra reels, Hooker Electrics are suitable for everything from managing kites and dredges to hauling big grouper up from the depths. We like the precision of variable speed control and convenience of wireless remote capability. Other user-friendly features include a level winder and digital line counter—a must for precision fshing.

HookerElectric.com

Biscayne Legacy Trolling Rods

The battle-proven design of the

Legacy Trolling series goes back 50 years. In that time, blank design, length, grip size and guide placement have not been changed. What has changed are the latest in component parts. The combination of proven design and cutting-edge technology delivers excellent big game fshing power.

BiscayneRod.com

Lenco Marine

From standard kits to specialized models for limited space needs or high-performance craft, Lenco trim tabs come in a wide range of designs. The Lenco ball screw technology ofers greater reliability, power and response than typical hydraulic systems, and electric actuators are fully submersible with all plug & play waterproof Deutsch connections. Tabs are made from high-grade 304 stainless steel and can include sacrifcial anodes.

LencoMarine.com

Tigress Outriggers & Rod Holders

Surf Nut

Built for the brutalities of salt water, Surf Nut retractable gear leashes keep expensive rods and reels securely in the rod holder and boat decks free of tangled straps that are frequently tripped over in the heat of battle. Easily mounted under the gunnel and fush to the deck, Surf Nut’s carabiner is out of the way until you need it. The unit can also be used with rocket launchers for a tangle-free solution to rod security and piece of mind.

SurfNut.net

Carbon Fiber Telescoping Outriggers are built with Tigress’ proprietary process. Multiple layers of carbon graphite and UV stable epoxy tape are counterwrapped using tension, pressure and cure time to create an incredible weight to strength ratio in the lightest telescoping outrigger available.

TigerShark III top mount outrigger holders feature a bottom mounted handle for easy deployment. Premium rod holders use a heavy-duty cast bar at the base for strength and durability and they have a blindmount design that eliminates unsightly screw heads up top. Closed base and swivel base models in 30-, 15- and 0-degrees are also available.

TigressOutriggers.com

Engel Deep Blue Coolers

Made for hot days and long trips, the Deep Blue series uses a full two inches of insulation on top, bottom and sides and holds ice for eight to 10 days. Roto-molded polyethylene construction is nearly indestructible and a freezer-grade lid gasket seals in the cold. Smart features include tie downs, stainless hardware, tough latches and non-skid feet.

Engel-USA.com

Troll Pro Underwater Trolling Housing

This unique housing allows anglers to put a GoPro™ HD video camera in their trolling spread and capture all the underwater action of big strikes. Stable at speeds up to 11+ knots, you can run it alone or in your Teaser or Teaser Dredge, or use it as a drop camera when fghting fsh close to the boat. Compatible with the GoPro™ HD Hero, HD Hero2 and the new HD Hero3 cameras, this is a sure way to get some big billfsh on flm and show it of to your fshing buds.

TrollPro.com

Sea Bagz

As much as we’d like to claim that it’s all-fshing-allthe-time, we caved in when we saw these funky, boat-friendly bean bags. Available in teardrop or arm chairs, they’re sewn from the highest grade materials, and custom colors allow designs tailored to any style.

SeaBagz.com

Outer Harbor FXR Paddle Board

For stealthy backwater fshing, it’s easy to deploy a stand-up paddle board. FXR stands for “Fishing, eXcursion and Racing” and this multi-tasker from SUP Products is ultra stable, thanks to a 32-in. beam. A pointed nose makes it easy to maneuver and it carries up to 400 lbs. (you, plus A LOT of fsh). Most signifcantly, this board is built more like a fberglass boat than a traditional surf/paddle board. The result is lighter-weight durability from bumps and scrapes.

SUPProducts.com

Bud n’ Mary’s marina has been a fxture of Islamorada fshing for almost 70 years. Photo: Ron Mondra. Inset: The author, center, with his father and grandfather in the Keys, 1983.

Divers descend on the Christ of the Abyss statue of Key Largo. Photo: Tanya Burnett. it all are a few gems that can be overlooked. Places that locals know and that tourists never forget. On a recent trip, I decided it was time to hit some of my favorite sweet spots along the Overseas Highway.

Growing up in South Florida has its advantages: sunny skies, great weather and, above all, its natural beauties. But I won’t lie; I am a carrier of Keys Disease, and I come by it honestly. While loading up for my trip, I had a fashback to my childhood. I recall the day my father decided after work to go into Sears and buy a 12-ft. aluminum Gamefsher Jon boat with a 3.3-horsepower motor. I was loving life. It was perfect because we didn’t even need a trailer—we just had to throw it on top of the truck and go. As I kiss my wife and kids goodbye, I realize I’m doing the same thing my father and grandfather used to do. Only now, instead of a Jon boat, I’m more inclined to pack along a stand-up paddle board or trailer my own boat. But the purpose is the same, and it never gets old. In fact, the Keys never get old. I still have that strong connection to the Conch Republic and the amazing people I meet there on each trip.

Traveling south through the turnpike, I called my buddy Diego Toiran, TV host for the Pescando en los Cayos fshing show, and tell him that I’m heading down to mile marker zero. Everything in the Keys is found by mile markers (MM) along the highway. Knowing a mile marker is better than having an address, and MM 0 is all the way down in Key West, where Diego lives.

“Let’s do some fshing!” I say to Diego, hoping for a positive response and a solid fshing hook-up at the end of my trip.

“I’m already up smoking a stogie on my dock watching the sunrise,” says Diego. It’s the life of a Key West resident. I hang up the phone, feeling more than a little envious.

The road leading to the island known as the 18-mile-stretch has gotten a recent facelift. There is a new bridge now, which is great, because the old one was a nightmare when it came to trafc. I hit the bridge and then, before I know it, I’m on the doorstep of paradise— Key Largo. It’s the start of the island chain and easily top contender for diving capital of the U.S. (the locals say “world”). Every year, visitors fock to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The park ofers access for snorkelers and divers to get an up-close and personal look at North America’s only living coral reef in the east. Dive charters are easy to fnd, and the experience of poking around in the spur-and-groove coral formations is highly addicting. This is especially true if you have a fondness for lobster, like I do. Although taking lobster from the park is not cool, seeing them there always whets my appetite. There is more to see than that, of course—parrotfsh, grouper, sergeant majors, moray eels, patches of coral in all diferent colors and shapes. It’s enough to make you feel like you’re in the middle of a Discovery Channel special. Check it out at www.pennekamppark.com.

On this particular trip, I left the house early and didn’t get to favor my cafecito for the journey. When traveling with the family, we tend to make frequent stops to enjoy what each island has to ofer. Over the years, I’ve tried to opt out of the tourist traps and really plug-in to the local community. First stop today is an old favorite: Denny’s Latin Café at MM 99. I order the Café con leche and a tostada. You can’t get better than friendly locals and authentic Cuban food.

After the pick-me-up breakfast, it was time to get down to business, and I headed to nearby Island Dolphin Care to say hello. IDC is a non-proft organization that was developed to help children with special needs and is also located at MM 99. Their mission hits home with me because I have an eight-yearold son with autism. I got the opportunity to meet Assistant Director Gretchen Thomasson and her incredible staf at a recent feld trip my son took from his school. The program is in a natural, non-threatening environment and ofers a variety of diferent activities to engage visitors.

The main attraction is getting to interact with dolphins and all the other marine animals. This is a thrill for most, but my son was not too receptive the frst time. I The author’s son, Logan Delgado, gets a personal introduction to the dolphins at Island Dolphin Care, near MM 99.

was surprised, since he loves the water and spending time on the boat. But this was diferent. As soon as the dolphin came to say hi, my son noticed those long rows of white teeth. It made him cautious (smart kid), but after a while, the two warmed up to each other. Pretty soon, my son was having a blast.

These kinds of interactions are possible because of a top-notch staf. On this trip, I got a full tour and was quickly impressed with the whole operation. There’s a touch tank, gorgeous aquarium and, of course, a gift shop for getting that musthave souvenir. The facility itself is tucked away in a residential community and surrounded by houses, which really takes away anything that feels touristy. Unless you know it’s here, it’s easy to pass by, and many do. Don’t make that mistake. www.islanddolphincare.org.

Not far from IDC, as you keep heading south on the Overseas Highway, you will also notice a yellow, historic-looking house. It sits in the middle of the divided highway, between the north- and south-bound lanes at MM 98.3 and is the home of the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF). This highly active organization is dedicated to ocean conservation. Several months ago, I attended a Lionfsh Derby in Miami, and Lad Akins, REEF’s director of special projects, was the promoter. It was fascinating to learn so much about these invasive species that we keep trying to eradicate.

REEF just celebrated its 23rd year of marine research and is involved in a number of diferent initiatives. One is the Grouper Moon project in the Cayman Islands, of which Dr. Guy Harvey himself has been a big part. Guy has also participated in the foundation’s Reef Survey Projects that use volunteer divers to conduct fsh surveys. When you pass by the group’s headquarters, take time to stop in and learn how you can help in one of their conservation eforts. And don’t be shy about asking for some lionfsh fllets. If you’ve never had them, you’ll fnd out just how delicious an invasive species can be. www.reef.org.

Back in the saddle, I kept heading south. I may be biased, but this is one the most beautiful stretches of highway in the U.S. Of course, some sights are amazing for reasons other than scenic beauty. One example is a gigantic spiny lobster that stands on the side of the road at MM 86.7. It’s located on the grounds of The Rain Barrel Village, which marks the beginning of Islamorada. This is a serious crustacean, and even the most jaded tourists usually sneak out of the car to strike a pose with the big bug—if not for a photo album, then for a quick Facebook post. While you’re there, take the opportunity to stroll through the Village’s tropical gardens and contemporary arts and crafts displays. The place is a maze of little shops, specialty foods and eye-catching sculptures.

If Key Largo is the diving capital of the world, Islamorada lays claim to being the sportfshing capital of the world. For the record, it gets my vote. Anglers can take advantage of the fertile, ofshore waters one day and the next day fsh the inshore wonders of the nearby Everglades. Redfsh, snook, sea trout and other inshore prizes await. It’s easy to launch your own boat here, or you can slip into

Crustacean ahead! The Rain Barrel Village is a must-stop photo op and a great place to check out local art. Opposite: Just past No Name Key, look for No Name Pub, famous for its “rich” décor, laid-back vibe and excellent pizza. Far right: the author tapping into liquid inspiration.

Bud n’ Mary’s at MM 79.8. They can connect you with some of the best captains in the entire island chain. The place has been around since 1944, and the marina has a remarkable history, from catching world-record fsh, to welcoming all kinds of celebrities, including former U.S. presidents. www.budnmarys.com.

If you are traveling with kids, be sure to make your next stop Robbie’s Marina at MM 77.5. Right of the highway sits a little shack with a big, silvery surprise. Actually, lots of them. I remember being a kid and making frequent visits here. We all loved coming down, renting kayaks and paddling around the mangroves. But the main attraction is the tarpon feeding. For frst-timers, the experience is a rush and it’s hard to tell the adults from the kids once the action starts. Visitors pay for a bucket of pilchards, go to the end of the dock and dangle the treat just above the water. Out of nowhere the water explodes and a big silver king, mouth wide open, inhales the little fshy treat. It sounds simple, but it will jump-start anybody’s heart. It all began nearly 20 years ago with one tarpon, but now it’s estimated up to 100 fsh roam around the docks. After you feed the tarpon, you can rent a kayak for a personal mangrove tour, or visit Robbie’s restaurant for a fshy treat of your own.

I climbed back in the truck and headed south again. Next stop: Big Pine Key. You’ll know you’re there because of the “Deer Crossing” signs. You should watch your speed, both to avoid hitting any deer and to stay on the good side of the Monroe County Sherif ’s deputies that patrol the area. Keep going, and in a short distance, you will come upon another sign: “No Name Key.” This is the heart of the deer’s turf. Slow down, get your camera ready and between swerving around the iguanas sunbathing on the road, you’ve got a good chance of seeing some deer.

Another three miles down the road and it’s time to hit another watering hole. “No Name Pub” is famous for its pizza and unique décor. Yes, I said “pizza.” It’s not the typical Keys fare, but you don’t want to miss it. Besides pizza, the pub ofers great fsh dip, spicy conch fritters and a selection of your favorite beers. It’s a dark, cozy place with literally thousands of dollar bills covering the ceiling and area surrounding the bar. On this trip, I kept the tradition, wrote on one of my dollar bills and stapled it into history. No Name Pub is one of those laid-back places that keeps the old Florida Keys ambience alive and well.

Rolling out of No Name Key, it was time for the last leg of the journey. Key West and my buddy Diego lay just ahead. By island standards, Key West is a bustling metropolis. As the southernmost point on the U.S. map, it’s the jumpingof point for serious fshing and diving and attracts a lot of free spirits. There are also plenty of landmarks, from Mallory Square to Sloppy Joes. On this trip, I wanted to check out a new development called Stock Island Marina Village. More than a marina, the property will focus on community improvement, resource conservation and sustained economic development. It will completely transform the area along Shrimp Road.

I met up with Rob Smith-Martin, principal advisor for the project. Over lunch, we exchanged fsh stories and talked about the plans for Stock Island. He was like a living, breathing brochure, just brimming with details about everything that was coming. After lunch, we went to the property and I was starting to become a believer. The place is massive, with a deep-water marina and direct ocean access. Rob said the goal is to provide secure and sheltered dockage with a laid-back, amenities-rich, authentic Key West experience that gives guests access to all the action but keeps them just beyond the noise and crowds of Duval Street. Also in the plans is to develop a bio-diesel facility on property and set aside 35% of the land to be used exclusively for “working waterfront”—commercial fshermen, trap and gear storage, artisans and craftsmen. I left confdent that Stock Island would be in my future travel plans. www.stockislandmarina.com.

My trip was winding up, and it was time to hunt down Diego and wet some lines. I’d only been on the road a couple of days, but I could feel the symptoms of Keys Disease faring up. If you’ve never made a road trip through the Keys, just remember, the upper Keys are about diving, the middle Keys are about fshing and the lower Keys about everything else. More importantly, take time to investigate the hidden gems that keep the island vibe alive and well. These are the places that provide a real sense of community for the Conch Republic—places that give back, that help kids with disabilities, promote conservation and ft the ethos of living a sustainable life.

BY DR. KEVAN L. MAIN

Mote Marine Lab is pushing the aquaculture envelope, hoping to turn Florida and the rest of the U.S. into a fertile valley of finfish.

Seafood, primarily fsh, is by far the world’s most important source of animal protein and is the principal protein source for nearly one billion people on the planet. Population biologists estimate that without rapid growth in seafood supply, the human population will reach the carrying capacity of the earth (the ability to grow enough food on land) by the year 2050. Yet the amount of seafood harvested from wildcaught fsheries has been static for more than 25 years. At the same time, the demand for seafood resources has increased around the world, to maintain per capita seafood consumption. Ultimately, this means the need to expand aquaculture production—the farming of fsh and other aquatic species—is one of the world’s most pressing food problems.

Overwhelming market demand has already been driving the aquaculture industry to immense proportions. In 2011, nearly 45% of the world’s seafood supply was farmed, and the amount of seafood produced by aquaculture is continuing to grow. This growth, however, faces signi cant challenges. It needs to come with minimal impact on land, water and sheries resources. It also needs to be expanded into new regions. In 2010, more than 90% of the world’s aquaculture production was concentrated in Asia: 62% in China and 28% in Asia and the Paci c.

It’s signi cant to note that less than 1% of the world’s aquaculture production occurred in North America, even though the United States is a major consumer of seafood. In 2011, the U.S. actually had to import over 90% of the seafood consumed here, and more than 50% of those imports were farmed.

Clockwise from top: These common snook are hanging out in a breeding tank at Mote Marine Lab. Sturgeon are being successfully grown out as part of Mote’s commercial aquaculture demonstration program. Marine sh wastewater is used to produce wetland plants, which can be sold for income and used in restoration projects.

From top: Mote’s Aquaculture Research Park uses recirculating tank systems and demonstrates that you don’t need to be near a large body of water to farm fsh. Growout tanks for the sturgeon demonstration program. Processing sturgeon meat and caviar to be sold and distributed nationally. Such strong demand and paltry domestic production has caused a great deal of hand-wringing, both because it shows a loss of economic opportunity and it reduces national food security. A number of reasons have been cited to explain this phenomenon, including strict governmental regulations, user conficts over access to water and land resources, high production costs, limited investment in development of aquaculture technologies and the wide-spread availability of low-cost imports. On this last issue, it’s also noted that as the middle class in Asia becomes more afuent, less seafood will be available for export.

The spotlight for creating additional aquaculture opportunities in the U.S. shines most brightly on the state of Florida. This is because for all its coastline and afliation with seafood, it represents a very limited amount of national aquaculture production. In the last decade, however, some progress has been made by governmental, academic and private groups working throughout the state. A number of species from the Gulf of Mexico have been studied as potential candidates for being grown commercially, including Florida pompano, cobia, southern founder, blackfn tuna, greater amberjack, red drum, common snook and spotted seatrout. Mahi mahi, tripletail, mullet, and several snapper and grouper species have also received a fair amount of interest.

As a result, there is a commercial marine fsh hatchery on Florida’s east coast that is producing pompano and cobia eggs and larvae, which are shipped and farmed outside of the state. Researchers have also identifed a number of technological gaps for marine fsh aquaculture species. Farming fsh is not as simple as keeping an aquarium and letting nature run its course. It’s a multi-faceted process, and for each species, it requires the development of genetic improvements through selective breeding programs, and identifying the nutritional requirements for all life stages, health management strategies, reproductive control, and production of high quality eggs, larvae and fngerlings.

One of the groups at the head of the learning curve in these areas is Mote Aquaculture Research Park. It was established in 2001 to expand opportunities for U.S. seafood production using sustainable aquaculture practices for both high-value marine and freshwater species. It boasts a state-of-the-art farm and research laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, and is developing new aquaculture production methods more than 17 miles from any saltwater coastline or large body of freshwater. It includes 125,000 sq. ft. of indoor tank and fltration as part of Mote’s Marine & Freshwater Aquaculture Research Program and also houses a commercial sturgeon farm.

The facility’s distance from a large mass of water is signifcant. One of the primary focuses of Mote’s research is the efcient use of water. Traditional aquaculture practices use large quantities of high-quality fresh or salt water, discharging it after minimal use; but water is now globally recognized as a valuable and limited commodity. A logical alternative to using more water is to reuse water by employing recirculating technology. This process includes linking marine fsh systems to wastewater treatment facilities, where researchers

north america africa latin america & the carribean europe

Percentage of world aquaculture production by region in 2010. Source: FAO State of the World Fisheries & Aquaculture, 2012.

asia & the pacific

are evaluating opportunities to use water from fsh tanks to produce wetland plants as a secondary crop. To do this, Mote has partnered with Aquatic Plants of Florida, a commercial leader in wetland plant nursery and restoration. Together, the two are working on integrated production methods, where plants and fsh are growing in the same system. The wetland plants remove nutrients in wastewater, which allows the water to be reused for fsh production; they also are sold for coastal restoration projects, improving the economic feasibility of sustainable fsh farming.

There also has been signifcant research into animal husbandry techniques to produce high value marine and freshwater fsh for food and also for restocking programs where fsh are released back into the wild. Breeding research on snook, Florida pompano and greater amberjack is focused in several areas, including developing year-round spawning protocols and improving broodstock nutrition. Larval studies are focused on identifying optimal feeding strategies, early weaning, and commercial protocols for larval and juvenile production.

All of this is essential to efciently growing out fsh for large-scale food production, and it’s currently on display in Mote’s commercial demonstration sturgeon farm. Originally conceived to help remove pressure from wild sturgeon stocks, Mote is developing innovative, environmentally responsible aquaculture techniques to produce a high-value seafood product. For more than 10 years , this process has included the successful construction and operation of commercial-scale recirculating systems, designed for water and energy conservation. Optimal production and processing methods for Siberian sturgeon in Florida also have been developed and shared with Florida farmers. And sturgeon meat and caviar are processed and marketed from Mote’s farm to local restaurants, and to fsh and caviar wholesalers throughout the country. Seeing this kind of success with other china species, especially marine fnfsh, like pompano, cobia and others is still on the horizon. The research has begun, but moving into actual production has hit something of a roadblock. One reason is simply the high investment and production costs associated with both recirculating systems and ofshore cage farms. Finding ways to reduce the costs is necessary if aquaculture of marine fnfsh is ever going to be commercially viable. The other hurdle is red tape. Permitting requirements (or the lack of a permitting framework, in the case of ofshore aquaculture) are prohibitive, time consuming and unclear. In addition, regulatory policies disproportionately impact small farms, and there are inconsistencies in the approach to regulating aquaculture access to water compared to other agricultural activities. As the science of aquaculture advances, the systems for governing it will have to advance as well.

The technology for feeding the future through marine aquaculture is largely in place, but refning it and making it economical will only come with the establishment of more commercial-scale pilot programs. It’s an investment worth making for a safe and sustainable U.S. seafood supply.