Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

 Development of two Gulf of America IFQ pricing reports

There is a lack of timely data on quota share (sale), quota allocation (lease), and ex-vessel (fish) prices for participants in the Gulf of America Red Snapper and Grouper-Tilefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) programs. Information on prices released by NOAA Fisheries in annual reports is 8-20 months out of date when released. Fishermen and dealers need access to timely information on market prices (share, allocation, and ex-vessel) to make informed business decisions. The lack of access to market data hinders quota trading and the businesses involved in the industry.

To provide more timely information on IFQ prices (share, allocation, and ex-vessel) I implemented a survey of IFQ participants that asks them about market prices they have either recently traded at or heard others traded at. The information gathered from the industry is used to create IFQ Pricing Reports that are made available to all lFQ fishermen and dealers through the Florida Sea Grant website (https://www.flseagrant.org/fisheries/ifq-pricing-reports/). During October 2023 and January 2024 I completed two surveys and accompanying reports (https://www.flseagrant.org/fisheries/ifq-pricing-reports/) that provided fishery participants with timely information on market prices and trends.

Commercial fishermen and dealers in the Gulf of Mexico reef fish fishery use the reports to gather more information on quota markets and to make more informed business decisions. The website was viewed over 1,100 times in 2024. 

Development and Demonstration of Aquaponic Systems in Resource Limited Communities in central Kenya

Working with the Jewish National Fund and the Arava Institute in Israel, Kevin Fitzsimmons helped develop and demonstrate aquaponic systems in resource limited communities in central Kenya. Two visits to Kenya were conducted evaluating local communities and universities as partners for aquaponics demonstration and training. 

Developing the next generation of USDA researchers and scientists

University of Arizona, New Mexico State and Santa Fe Community College received a USDA-NIFA NextGen grant to provide scholarships and internships for under-represented populations preparing professionals for employment in various USDA agencies dealing with fisheries, aquaculture and seafood. Work included four presentations/guest lectures to high school and community college studnets to recruit for the program. Six students are currently on scholarship and one FFA career development event for 20 high school teams was held. Indicators for the project include 120 students at presentations, 6 interns, and 80 students in the competition (Kevin Fitzsimmons). 

Development and Testing of Oyster Farm Monitoring Equipment

Developed and trialed (with commercial growers) sensors designed to track behaviors and environmental conditions that can help oyster farmers improve their productivity. Commercial grower, Fox Point Oysters, trialed the sensors. The trials were covered in a news story by the popular press (https://www.wcvb.com/article/oyster-science-research-unh-university-new-hampshire-scientists-researchers-mollusk-farming/46686299) (Easton White).

Improving Resiliency in Rhode Island's Aquaculture Industry

Hosted a workshop in January 2024 with 20 stakeholders from the Rhode Island aquaculture industry. The goal of the workshop was to build relationships and co-create solutions to the industry's resilience challenges. Takeaways from the workshop are informing a peer-reviewed publication and a practitioner-focused summary report to guide the state's aquaculture industry towards greater resilience in the coming decade (Emily Diamond). 

Examining the Potential of Silver Carp as Lobster Bait

Research project examining the potential of silver carp as a lower cost bait for American Lobster fishermen in the Northeast. As the traditional bait (herring) becomes more scarce and more expensive this project examined the potential of using invasive silver carp as a lower cost alterantive. (Mike Weir)

Economics of Risk in U.S. Aquaculture Production and Markets

As part of a Sea Grant funded project developed an agnostic risk model that can be parameterized to different systems & scenarios including extensive aquaculture (clams and oysters) and intensive RAS-based aquaculture (salmon and shrimp). The project has resulted in 18 presentations, 1 online teaching model, and 9 academic publications. (Frank Asche, Andrew Ropicki, and Jim Anderson).

Introducing ikejime seafood in Rhode Island markets

Ikejime is a method of humanely killing fishing that has been found to increase product quality and shelf life. This project is increasing the market value of locally caught species in Rhode Island through ikejime. By increasing product quality and shelf life the project is improving marketability. The project has involved 'train the trainer' events with extension agents and will in the future include fishermen training and demonstrations and surveys of supply chain members (dealers, fishmongers, and restaurants) and consumers to measure market acceptance and attitudes. (Hiro Uchida).

Economic Impact of Seafood Industry in RI Economy

Updated a 2019 report to accurately reflect the current economic contributions of the Rhode Island seafood industry and developed a manual for updating the numbers for state government staff for continued and timely updating in the future. Increasing awareness and understanding of the economic contribution of Rhode Island's commercial seafood industry can better highlight industry importance with local, state, and federal policymakers. (Hiro Uchida).