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Background Information on Florida Aquaculture: 



According to figures provided by the Florida Department of Agriculture, aquaculture accounted for 

 $54 million in revenues for 1991, ornamental fish and aquatic plants accounted for 73% of that 

 figure or $39.6 million. There are over 300 ornamental fish and aquatic plant farms in Florida, 

 utilizing 8,000 acres of land and directly supporting 1500 families. Ornamental fish and aquatic 

 plants are the number one commodity shipped out of the state by the airlines Airlines carry 

 20,000 to 25,000 cartons of ornamental fish and aquatic plants, accounting for in excess of 

 350,000 pounds of cargo out of the state weekly to airports across the country, and worldwide 

 Annually airlines realize over $4 million in freight revenues from tropical fish and aquatic plants 



95% of all ornamental fish and aquatic plants raised in the United States originate in Florida 

 Ornamental fish farming is considered by many experts in aquaculture to be in its infancy, due in 

 part to the emphasis the ornamental fish producers are placing on expansion of markets into 

 Europe, South Americ in and Asia 



Specifics on South Dade County Aquaculture: 



Like all producers of agricultural products in South Florida, the tropical fish and aquatic plant 

 farmers were devestated by Hurricane Andrew Initial reports estimated the physical losses to the 

 Aquaculture producers to be $15 million. The figure for economic loss from the 1992-95 growing 

 season will equal the physical loss of $15 million for a total of $30 million 



Major Problems faced by Aquaculture producers in South Dade County: 



Soon after Hurricane Andrew, most of the South Dade growers of tropical fish and aquatic plants 

 were notified by Marine Extension Agent, Don Pybas that a meeting was being held to offer any 

 assistance applicable to Aquaculture members Once the County Committee officers of the ASCS 

 became aware of the existence of the aquaculture producers, they attempted to assist us to the best 

 of their ability Also at this tune, I was asked to become an advisor to the ASCS by the county 

 commission Information was given on clean up assistancce and other Federal disaster relief 

 programs available through the U.S.D.A.. However, lack of policy and guidelines at the USD. A. 

 hampered quick and effective efforts to provide the much needed disbursements of disaster 

 assistance 



To begin with, there was no bank that was willing to loan out money to aquaculture producers, due 

 in part to a fear, on behalf of the banks that with all the devestation the fish farmers might not be 

 able to recover Even more frightening, another fish farmer had a guaranteed mortgage with the 



