County. The Department of Natural Resources developed an oyster- fattening 

 method that showed economic potential, but they were unable to carry the pro- 

 ject beyond the laboratory stage. The Coastal Plains Regional Development 

 Commission, working with a private contractor, used State developed informa- 

 tion about oysters and set up a pilot plant to determine the economic feasi- 

 bility of a commercial oyster fattening operation. Thin, spawned out, late 

 summer oysters were fattened in the laboratory for about two weeks. A quality 

 oyster was produced that equalled those caught in estuaries during the best 

 growing season. This operation was discontinued because funds for the Coastal 

 Plains Regional Commission and the Title V Commissions, were withdrawn and the 

 Commissions were closed on September 30, 1981. 



Funds for marine resource development also are available from 

 Sal tonstall -Kennedy funds (SK) that are derived from an excise tax on imported 

 seafood products. In past years, these funds have been used sparingly, but 

 recently some funds were released to aid seafood marketing and other industry 

 oriented programs. 



Another major Federal program affecting marine resources is the National 

 Sea Grant Program. In Florida, this program is based at the University of 

 Florida in Gainesville, but the funds and projects are a part of a consortium 

 of state and private universities, each applying for funds to do marine 

 research. The programs in Florida have been highly successful, particularly 

 in fishery economics. The Florida program also has established a statewide 

 network of marine extension agents designed to help fishermen, as county agri- 

 cultural agents help farming interests. 



The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of 1976 also is a potential source 

 of Federal funds that may be used in a variety of ways to benefit living 

 coastal resources. One example is the Apalachicola Bay Estuarine Sanctuary. 

 Funds were used there to purchase additional lands for protecting the natural 

 enviromient and to support a sanctuary headquarters for three years. These 

 lands, when purchased, will be added to several thousand acres already pur- 

 chased by the State for the same purpose. 



In addition to the direct funds mentioned above, other Federal monies may 

 benefit the fishing industry, even though the benefits are secondary. These 

 include endangered species projects and studies on marine species or habitats. 

 Sometimes the National Science Foundation issues grants for fishery and coast- 

 al environmental studies. 



REGULATORY PROBLEMS 



Florida's marine fishery resources currently are regulated by the State 

 legislature. The Florida Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has rule- 

 making authority, but only to clarify the legislation and establish ways and 

 means of enforcing regulations not specifically outlined by law. The advan- 

 tage of a legislated regulatory authority is that any new law requires 

 approval by the House and Senate and the governor. This procedure relieves 

 political pressure on the DNR and helps it to avoid making long-term decisions 

 in the heat of a confrontation. The disadvantage is that it does not always 

 work that way. Far too many laws still are enacted in the heat of controversy 

 and many are controversial and ineffective. 



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