Aquaculture Business Resources
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is here to assist Florida farmers as they apply for the permits necessary to engage in aquaculture. This webpage summarizes pertinent information for aquaculture businesses and provides an overview of available resources from national and state-level support agencies.
FDACS also serves as ombudsman to investigate complaints and resolve problems that might arise between aquaculture producers and regulatory agencies. Please contact us at (850) 617-7600 if you need these services or have any questions related to aquaculture business operations in Florida.
Aquaculture Scam Alert
A Florida aquaculture facility was recently victim of a complex fraud scheme, and FDACS has issued an alert to notify the industry and provide tips that may prevent further incidents for occurring. View the
Aquaculture Scam Alert
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Overview of Regulations
Aquaculture Certificate of Registration
All commercial aquaculture producers in Florida are required to acquire an Aquaculture Certificate of Registration before beginning any business operations.
Application information is available online or by contacting FDACS at (850) 617-7600 or Serina.Rocco@FDACS.gov.
For more information, see:
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Aquaculture Certificate of Registration Fact Sheet
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Aquaculture Certificate of Registration Fact Sheet – Spanish
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- FAO: National Aquaculture Legislation Overview
- Guide to Federal Aquaculture Programs and Services (2014)[ ]
Best Management Practices
Florida aquaculture has a vested interest in protecting and managing the state’s natural resources. Through the Florida Aquaculture Policy Act, Chapter 597, Florida Statutes, FDACS established Aquaculture Best Management Practices (BMPs) to ensure environmental integrity while eliminating cumbersome and often duplicative permitting and licensing requirements.
BMPs represent a mutually beneficial relationship between commercial aquaculture production and natural resource protection. Farm owners and managers adopt specific BMPs that are appropriate to their facility design and production capacity and to the species they produce. All Aquaculture Certificate of Registration holders must abide by the Aquaculture BMPs. Any person failing to meet the BMPs and/or refusing to implement the BMPs must obtain all necessary permits/authorizations from the appropriate regulatory authority, pursuant to Rule 5L-3.007(3), Florida Administrative Code.
For more information, see:
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Aquaculture on Sovereignty Submerged Land
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Florida Aquaculture Best Management Practices Manual 2016
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Aquaculture Fact Sheets
These publications offer regulatory guidance specific to the aquatic products you produce, and links to the pertinent forms.
General Information About Aquaculture Products
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Biosecurity at Florida Aquaculture Facilities
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Import/Export Requirements for Aquatic Animals and Plants
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Preparation and Recovery From Hurricanes Technical Bulletin #2
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Aquatic Plants
Food Fish
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Restricted Species Aquaculture: Rules and Regulations
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Species Used in Commercial Aquaponics Systems: Rules and Regulations
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Marine Ornamental Fish, Corals and Live Rock
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Live Rock Aquaculture: Rules and Regulations
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Culturing Marine Life: Rules and Regulations
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Reptiles
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Alligator Aquaculture: Rules and Regulations
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- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Alligator Farming
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Freshwater Turtle Aquaculture: Rules and Regulations
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Shellfish
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Aquaculture Docks
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Certified Shellfish Hatcheries and Nurseries
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Shellfish Aquaculture Lease Management Technical Bulletin #5
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Shellfish Tagging Requirements
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Helpful Resources
- Connect Extension
- Florida Aquaculture Association
- Florida Farm Bureau
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Florida Tropical Fish Farms Association
- Guide to Federal Aquaculture Grant Services 2021
- National Aquaculture Association
- National Cooperative Extension Resources on Marine Aquaculture
- Natural Resources Conservation Service
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Sales Tax Exemptions for Aquaculture Businesses
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- Southern Regional Aquaculture Center Fact Sheets
- UF/IFAS: Aquaculture
- UF/IFAS: Shellfish Aquaculture
- UF/IFAS: Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory
- University of Florida Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Aquaculture
Aquaculture Technical Assistance
The aquaculture industry in Florida produces the greatest variety of aquatic products in the nation. As such, the state has a multitude of aquaculture experts that can provide assistance to your business. The following links provide contact information for aquaculture technical and regulatory assistance.
