Florida Fish Farming

Coral is also farmed in Florida.

Many consumers prefer farmed fish for the guaranteed cleanliness, along with the concerns of overfishing and other species unintentionally netted in the wild. According to the Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, more than 200 certified farms produce the 800 varieties of freshwater fish farmed in Florida.

Tampa Production

The majority of fish farming in Florida takes place in ground ponds around the Tampa area. According to the Florida Tropical Fish Farms Association, Tampa farms rage from five acres to a hundred.

Miami Production

Fish farms in the Miami area are the second largest concentration in the state; however, the local ground base of coral rock requires above-ground farming. Miami farms range from one to five acres.

Uses of Fish

According to Science Daily, aquaculture accounts for exactly half of the fish consumed worldwide. More than 95 percent of fish in U.S. aquariums are produced by Florida, according to Before the News.

Types of Fish

Florida aquaculture includes tilapia, shrimp, catfish and various types of bass. Fish farmed for aquariums include Koi, clown fish, angel fish, eels and sharks.

Weather

Some Florida fish farmers cover their ponds with plastic during a freeze while others utilize propane tanks, however the record cold winter in 2009 lost hundreds of thousands of fish.

References

• University of Florida: Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory
• The Florida Tropical Fish Farms Association: Fish Farming In Florida
• Science Daily: Half Of Fish Consumed Globally Is Now Raised On Farms, Study Finds
• Before it's News: Florida Fish Farms Hit Hard By Freezing Weather
• TC Palm: Most Treasure Coast Tropical Fish Farmers Devastated By Cold

Resources

• Environmental Defense Fund: Seafood Selector
• Aquarticles: Diary of a Florida Fish Farm
• Coral Reef Farm: Fishes
• The Palm Beach Post: How to be a savvy seafood shopper
• USA Today: Farmed fish swim to the fore