On March 6, members of the Florida Marine Fisheries Enhancement
Initiative gathered to discuss the initiative’s progress. With the current
economic issues in mind, members used video-conferencing, audioconferencing
and Web-based presentation tools to participate, keeping costs
down.

At the meeting, the four FMFEI working groups provided updates to the
group. Overall, organizational membership, cooperation and coordination of
FMFEI continue to grow and deepen.

The Development Working Group shared the latest information related to
economic stimulus issues. FMFEI partners are working together in pursuit of
existing economic stimulus opportunities. Everyone is monitoring economic
and legislative activities closely.

The Education and Outreach Working Group recapped the groups’ previous
discussions touching on the need to pull in additional resources and to
coordinate messages. In a follow-up discussion, there was agreement from the
meeting participants that the initiative would benefit from a simpler name or
‘brand’ identity. The group will focus efforts in this direction.

The Ecosystem Restoration Working Group presented details on a number of
topics. The draft charter for this working group outlines the plan to operate
as a single statewide group with several regional working groups addressing
localized needs. The statewide working group will help coordinate activities,
identify potential funding and share restoration techniques. The group is
focused on a number of “shovel-ready” habitat restoration projects that could
be put into action if federal stimulus funds become available. A number of
FMFEI partners will be involved in these efforts in the coming months.

The Fish Propagation Working Group reviewed their progress toward the
long-term goal of shifting to intensive fish culturing practices. These
practices are ‘greener’ and address many of the challenges posed by the
‘extensive’ or pond-based hatchery systems. FMFEI partners, FWC, Mote
Marine Laboratory and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, shared
highlights of their current activities with intensive systems. FWC noted the
successful introduction of an automatic fish grader to the hatchery. The fish
grader improves efficiency by reducing the time it takes to group, or grade,
the fish into multiple size classes. Hubbs SeaWorld noted they are building a
quarantine facility at Coconut Point for holding east coast red drum brood
fish.

As the meeting wrapped up, many participants expressed excitement and
enthusiasm about the initiative’s progress. While the new technology tools for
this meeting were valuable, a large face-to-face meeting with all partners and
participants is seen as an essential next step.

Article by Wendy Quigley, FWRI