抖M女仆 Harbor Branch Project to Help Sportfishing Industry
Research funded by a grant from the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust will design and test experimental means of growning bonefish for stock enhancement.
抖M女仆 Harbor Branch's aquaculture park will be home to the new grant-funded bonefish stock enhancement research project.
Aquaculture scientists at 抖M女仆鈥檚 Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) are embarking on a $3 million grant-funded project designed to help Florida鈥檚 multi-billion dollar sportfishing industry. The research, funded by a grant from the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) in partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, is the first of its kind and involves the design and testing of an experimental research project to grow bonefish for stock enhancement. BTT board members and senior staff will officialize the grant and tour the aquaculture facilities on Thursday, March 17 at HBOI, 5600 U.S. 1 North, Fort Pierce. Members of the press are invited for a photo opportunity that day at 10 a.m.
鈥湺禡女仆 Harbor Branch is well-equipped to take on this project,鈥 said Megan Davis, Ph.D., HBOI interim executive director. 鈥淥ur extensive infrastructure that is already in place coupled with years of experience in working the life cycle of a variety of fish is what helped us win the grant. We are excited to take on this groundbreaking work.鈥澛
Bonefish populations have been declining in recent years, with estimates showing a decrease of as much as 90 percent in some areas, including the Florida Keys.
鈥淭his is an incredible opportunity for the university,鈥 said 抖M女仆 President John Kelly. 鈥淭his valuable partnership will help provide solutions for one of Florida鈥檚 most economically important industries, and I鈥檓 excited 抖M女仆 was the university selected to lead the way with this cutting edge work.鈥
BTT uses a science-based approach to learn about and identify threats to bonefish, tarpon and permit fisheries in the U.S. and Caribbean basin and applies a combination of research, stewardship, education and advocacy efforts to address areas of concern.
聽鈥淭his unique project will provide an important tool in our efforts to restore the Florida Keys bonefish fishery, and we are confident the excellent team at Harbor Branch will help us achieve the project goals,鈥 said Jim McDuffie, BTT executive director. 鈥淟earning to spawn and raise bonefish in a captive setting has significant implications for the Keys fishery and fishery conservation efforts in general.鈥
Florida鈥檚 recreational and commercial fishing industries and associated businesses account for billions of dollars that drive the economic engine for the state each year and contribute to hundreds of thousands of jobs.
For more information, contact Carin Smith at 772-242-2230 or carinsmith@fau.edu, or visit .
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