Shellfish Aquaculture Gear 

Management Workshop 2018

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Division of Aquaculture

Project Summary

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation in coordination with 

NOAA Marine Debris Program provided funding to the Florida 

Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of 

Aquaculture (FDACS) to host a training workshop targeting the 

aquaculture industry and shellfish farmers in Cedar Key, FL. 

Travel funds were utilized to support diverse representation at 

the workshop.

Currently, there are no existing resources to educate the Cedar 

Key shellfish farming community on aquaculture debris issues or 

to organize routine cleanup events. FDACS aimed to address 

these resource gaps through a training workshop and an 

associated cleanup event. The workshop discussed the 

importance of environmental stewardship and provided 

practical management techniques to farmers, such as proper 

gear anchoring methods and severe-storm preparation 

strategies. FDACS conducted a marine debris survey in June 

2018 and presented marine debris maps and information 

following workshop training sessions in order to organize an 

effective cleanup, which was held on September 15, 2018.

More Information

A full recording of the workshop and copies 

of all presentations are available at: 

Shellfish.ifas.ufl.edu/news/videos-andpresentations-from-shellfish-aquaculture-gearworkshop/

Shellfish Aquaculture Gear 

Management technical bulletin: 

FreshFromFlorida.s3.amazonaws.com/Media%2FFiles%2FAq

uaculture-Files%2FShellfish-GearManagement-01914.pdf

Florida Division of Aquaculture: 

FreshFromFlorida.com/DivisionsOffices/Aquaculture

Florida Marine Debris Reduction 

Guidance Plan 2017: 

Marinedebris.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/pub

lications-files/FMDRGP_2017.pdf

UF/IFAS Shellfish Extension: 

Shellfish.ifas.ufl.edu/

Location

FWC Senator 

Kirkpatrick Marine Lab. 

11350 SW 153rd Court, 

Cedar Key, FL 32625 

Date 

September 12th, 2018 
Page 2 Shellfish Aquaculture Gear Management Workshop 2018

Workshop Narrative

1:00 - The workshop began with an introduction by Charlie Culpepper, FDACS: Division of 

Aquaculture, and a brief overview of the agenda and meeting details. "Shellfish aquaculture is win-win 

for the environment and the economy. Public perception of shellfish aquaculture will be critical in 

maintaining resilience of this industry as it grows in size and diversity."

1:05 - Lisa Marshall, Regional Director for Sen. Bill 

Nelson, gave a 5-min opening statement. "With elbow 

grease, science, and partnership, we have successfully 

kept this waterfront working. Senator Nelson will 

continue to work with colleagues across the aisle and the 

capital to ensure we have a healthy environment.” Will 

Kendrick, regional director for Congressman Neil Dunn 

was not able to attend and give opening remarks as 

scheduled. 

1:15 - Charles Grisafi, NOAA Marine Debris 

Program, presented an overview of the global marine 

debris issues, including data on sources and specific hot 

topics. He then covered NOAA Marine Debris Program 

functions, current regional activities, and funding 

opportunities. Charles wrapped up with a description 

of Florida’s Marine Debris Reduction Guidance Plan, 

aquaculture debris priorities within the plan, and the 

upcoming revision meeting.

1:30- Charlie Culpepper, FDACS: Division of 

Aquaculture, reviewed the Florida Aquaculture Policy 

Act, the Florida Aquaculture Best Management Practices

(BMPs), and the BMPs specific to shellfish aquaculture 

gear and environmental protection. In order to establish 

a streamlined regulatory process, replace the need for 

numerous permits from other agencies and ensure 

environmental protection, FDACS enforces the BMPs. 

The Florida Aquaculture BMPs cover rules and 

regulations for all aquaculture commodity types and 

activities. BMPs are required to be followed by all 

certified commercial Aquaculturists, are 

enforceable by law, and do not supersede other 

applicable local, state or federal regulations, unless 

explicitly authorized in statute. 

NOAA MDP ‘Impacts of Marine Debris’ 

fact sheet
Page 3 Shellfish Aquaculture Gear Management Workshop 2018

1:40 – Dr. Bill Walton, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant, gave a presentation on oyster aquaculture 

gear management. Highlights from that presentation are summarized below. 

 Never skimp on anchoring and buy a larger anchor than you think you need because the weather 

will be worse than you expected.

 Reduce and manage chafing, use like to like materials (ex: metal on metal).

 Tagged gear is good for positive public perception. “If you are willing to add your name to gear, 

you will be responsible for it. Tagging and tracking gear also adds protection from theft.”

 Don't overload gear: Some suppliers overestimate the number of oysters or clams you can grow in 

each bag/cage to make them appear more efficient and affordable, but overstocked gear does not 

behave the way it is intended to. Do not overstock your gear.

 Hold periodic shoreline cleanups to show the public that the aquaculture industry cares. 

Weigh collected debris to demonstrate that aquaculture gear is a small portion of the total marine 

debris collected.

 Dispose of gear properly at the end of its life span. 

 Storm Preparation 

 Draft a written storm plan and hold storm drills annually for your employees.

 If possible, make decisions early (about 3 days before storm hits).

 Sinking gear takes longer than anticipated; have your crew practice sinking a line of cages 

to estimate how long it will take.

 Floating gear tips: check knots and lines, check cage doors, make sure bags are not 

overstocked, keep oysters on site (not out of the water).

 Suspended gear tips: check pilings, make sure basket doors are closed, lower the lines to the 

lowest position on the anchor post to be out of wind and wave action.

Lease management requirements are also reiterated in the 

sovereignty submerged land aquaculture lease agreement. 

Noncompliance may result in cancellation of the lease 

agreement and/or the prohibition from acquiring or 

subletting any new sovereignty submerged land leases. 

The division conducts periodic, unannounced inspections of 

each certified aquaculture facility, including submerged land 

leases, to ensure compliance with BMPs and the lease 

agreement (if applicable). While the BMPs cover a 

wide-range of topics, the following rules are specific to 

shellfish aquaculture gear management and must be 

followed by all shellfish aquaculture farmers in the state. 

 Non-natural materials (all gear) must be anchored to the 

bottom.

 All culture materials shall be free of pollutants.

 Bags/trays/nets should be removed from the water 

during cleaning.

 The aquaculturist is responsible for proper disposal of all 

materials used.

 The aquaculturist must remove all gear 60 days after 

termination of a lease. 

 The leaseholder's identification information must be 

attached to floating gear and off-bottom structures. 

“This helps public understand that aquaculture gear is not 

trash, it has a purpose and can be retrieved.”

(Above) Charlie Culpepper, 

FDACS, Division of Aquaculture

(below) Dr. Bill Walton, MS-AL Sea Grant
Page 4 Shellfish Aquaculture Gear Management Workshop 2018

Following Dr. Walton’s presentation, Jeff and Reid Tilley, Oyster Boss LLC., discussed their farm design 

and size, and then answered a series of questions from Dr. Walton and the audience regarding their 

experience with oyster gear management. Questions centered around common mistakes made, 

manufacturing preferences, tagging options and costs, and gear maintenance strategies. 

Question and Answer highlights are presented below:

Q: Have you found manufacturers to adapt gear to conditions unique to this region (Bill Walton)?

A: Ketcham has designed cages that have removable floats, and Oyster Boss helped with gear 

modifications for that design (Reid Tilley).

Q: What are some of the biggest mistakes you have made with oyster gear (Bill Walton)?

A: For me, it was not putting caps back on gear floats once submerged and allowing sand to get in. This 

makes getting your gear back off the bottom post-storm very difficult (Bill Walton). 

A: If you are in an area with freshwater, sink your crop into saltier water for respiration (Bob Rheault).

A: Using clips made for different cages and not evenly distributing attachments on floating bags. Also 

keep all gear that does not need to be submerged floating so that it does not foul and create chaffing on 

other cages (Reed Tilley).

Q How do you feel about helping other farmers, who are not as diligently managing their gear 

you are, cleanup their gear (audience)?

A: "We are all one big family out there on the water." People don't always do the right thing. We, as a 

company, want to have a good reputation on the water, we try to help our fellow Aquaculturists. We 

need a cleanup day just for the farmers (Jeff Tilley). 

A: It is also a threat to my own farm if others' gear is loose and causes damage (Reid Tilley).

Q: What are your decision points in preparation of storms (Bill Walton)?

A: Family comes first, then the farm. You have to respect that. Even if the storm model is a little bit off, 

you have to make your decisions at least a few days prior. Having the right gear to get the cages back 

up off the bottom helps. Four or five days prior to storm: Assess and inspect your active gear. Three or 

four days prior to storm, start sinking your cages. We have watched four-foot waves wash over our 

gear without damage because they are maintained and anchored properly (Jeff Tilley).

A: Have a dedicated crew who knows how to prepare correctly. Invest in maintenance of your 

equipment and when storms come, you can have confidence that everything will make it. Tag the 

gear - if we do lose something, we can recover it quickly (Reid Tilley)

A: At some point, there is nothing more you can do. The forces of nature are easily underestimated, so 

prepare the best you can to prevent damage (Bob Rheault).

Q: How much does tagging cost each year 

(Charles Grisafi)?

A: The tags that Oyster Boss uses are about $0.60/each. 

We have around 400 cages, so for Oyster Boss, its cost 

about $250 to tag everything and our tags generally last 

more than a year. I suggest investing in engraved or 

raised-printing tags rather than ink, as it will wear off and 

get fouled quickly in the water (Reid Tilley).

Following the panel discussion, Jeff and Reid Tilley also 

brought an actual oyster cage with them, and gave an 

overview of anchoring, stocking, and floatation details to 

interested farmers during the workshop break. 

Jeff and Reid Tilley show off their 

preferred oyster cage design.
Page 5

2:40 – Leslie Sturmer, UF/IFAS Shellfish Extension, gave a 

presentation on the evolution of clam aquaculture gear, and how the 

industry has adapted and changed gear preferences to meet real-world 

management challenges throughout the decades. Notably, Leslie 

described the purpose of the clam cover nets (to prevent predation by 

cownose ray schools and black drum), material options (metal ‘chicken’ 

wire, high-density polyethylene plastic and net coatings), and current 

efforts to mitigate cover net losses. The Cedar Key Aquaculture 

Association funds two commercial dumpsters on the island which are 

for cover net disposal only. In partnership with FDACS and Florida 

State University, UF/IFAS is pursuing a biodegradable cover net 

research project, which has the potential to permanently solve the 

cover net debris issue. 

Bobby Witt of Scale Key Clams, Craig Parks of B&E 

Seafood, and Joe Cannon of the Cedar Key Aquaculture 

Association discussed their clam gear management 

techniques. The panel discussion focused on individual 

preferences for predator protection and the strengths and 

weaknesses of each gear option. The panel also discussed 

storm preparation options and all agreed that adding an 

additional layer of tie-down rope can greatly reduce 

gear loss during a severe weather event. Following a back 

and forth discussion, the audience and panelists 

unanimously agreed that a bi-annual, industry led cleanup 

is a good idea and that farmers are willing and able to 

participate in a routine cleanup event. Contentious clam 

processors also acknowledged they could do a better 

job of voluntarily policing the farmers from which 

they buy product, and inquire about gear disposal practices as part of purchasing their clam products. 

3:30 – Dr. Bob Rheault, Director of the East Coast Shellfish 

Growers Association, gave a presentation on the 

national shellfish aquaculture industry, the importance of 

shellfish lease stewardship, common public perception issues, 

and case studies of debris management problems and strategies 

from other areas of the U.S. Highlights from Dr. Rheault’s presentation are summarized below: 

On the East Coast, shellfish aquaculture is a $165M 

industry. Oyster production has doubled in the last five years. 

There is still space to learn and invent new technologies to 

improve aquaculture.

"Plastic debris is the next battleground."

Beach cleanups are now a required element of Army Corp 

permitting in WA, OR, and CA. 

“The west coast is now fighting an uphill public acceptance 

battle.” 

The public is starting to push back on adding more plastic to 

the marine environment via aquaculture.

Leslie Sturmer 

UF/IFAS Shellfish Extension

Shellfish Aquaculture Gear Management Workshop 2018

Dr. Bob Rheault, Director of the East 

Coast Shellfish Growers Association

Clam farmers discuss predator protection options.
Page 6 Shellfish Aquaculture Gear Management Workshop 2018

3:30 – Dr. Bob Rheault, Exec. Director of the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association (continued) 

There is limited scientific evidence of the impacts of microplastics to shellfish as of yet. The amount

of microplastics you may consume from shellfish consumption is 'dwarfed' by the amount of 

microplastics ingested due to household dust. Regardless of the truth, public perception matters 

most! “If people think there is plastic in their oysters, they will not eat them.”

The Pacific Shellfish Grower's Association conducts biannual beach cleanups, they identify main 

(Above) Examples of shellfish aquaculture gear tags. 

(Below) Cedar Key Aquaculture Debris Survey Map 

July 2018

Photo: NELCO

sources of debris and target what needs to be tagged. 

“It will be much easier and less expensive to deal with 

plastic on the front-end and focus on prevention 

instead of cleaning it up later.” Plastic reduction 

should be source reduction; we need to do the right 

thing before plastics are banned in the shellfish 

industry. If the industry doesn’t solve this issue, 

regulations will come down. Minimize sources of 

plastic, seek non-plastic alternatives where possible. 

Implement proactive BMPs to prevent reactive 

regulations: 

 Conduct shoreline surveys

 Host cleanups

 Mandate labeling of gear

 Fund gear disposal dumpsters.

 Improve public education: Show legislators the 

positives of shellfish aquaculture, use educational 

signs and kiosks, and work with non-profit 

environmental groups.

 Encourage experimentation with new gear types.

 Foster a strong local farmer association.

"Plastic debris is the next battleground, and public 

perception is key to maintaining industry growth and 

market expansion. With proactive measures, the 

shellfish aquaculture industry can get a positive public 

spin on this issue and be part of the solution not the 

problem."

4:15 – Mark DeHaven, FDACS: Division of 

Aquaculture, gave a summary of past division debris 

surveys and cleanup efforts, and reviewed the July 2018 survey of shellfish gear debris which he 

conducted in Cedar Key. Highlights from his discussion are summarized below. We used airboats to 

collect GPS coordinates for each piece of marine debris. Marine debris hotspots were found around the 

aquaculture use zones (high-density lease parcel areas where a majority of shellfish farms are located). 

After the first survey (2014), groups cleaned up the gear via a state removal contract (~$25,000), and one 

year later, it was back (2015). We have conducted three more surveys (2015, 2016, 2018), and the debris 

levels remain consistent each year. City cleanups and the International Coastal Cleanup have made 

an impact, but the debris has not gone away. Nearly 100% of the aquaculture debris is plastic cover 

netting, not many oyster cages because farmers want those back (oyster cages are valuable, cover net is 

not). Participants must have local knowledge of the environment and durable vessels which may 

be damaged in the removal process. “Debris is not in easily accessible places, there is muck up to your waist, 

rocks, and fringing oyster bars. It is extremely hard to ask the local community to clean it up as it a hard 

work and these areas can damage your boat.”
Page 7 Shellfish Aquaculture Gear Management Workshop 2018

4:30 – Heath Davis, Mayor of Cedar Key /Cedar Key 

Aquaculture Association board member/Chair of 

the Florida Shellfish Aquaculture 

Association /shellfish aquaculture farmer, gave 

closing remarks and discussed current issues and 

activities of the industry. 

“Aquaculture is not the biggest producer of marine debris, 

but we are the most visible. We know marine debris is an 

issue and we want to fix it. When we do get it completely 

fixed, we will not just pick up our (aquaculture) stuff, we 

will be picking up everything.”

Heath Davis, Mayor of Cedar Key

Following Heath Davis’ remarks, Chris Topping, owner of Clamtastic, 

LLC./Cedar Key Aquaculture Association board member, discussed 

previous removal efforts, industry involvement with cleanups, and the 

logistics of the upcoming cleanup event on 9/15. The workshop ended 

at 5:00pm following a closing statement from Charlie Culpepper. 

9/15 International Coastal Cleanup Day Event

Charlie Culpepper attended and participated in the cleanup event in 

Cedar Key on the Saturday following the workshop. The event organizers 

(UF/IFAS) reported the workshop was a real success in terms of 

attendance, industry participation and local buy-in. The International 

Coastal Cleanup Event on 9/15 had over 150 volunteers, and the 

aquaculture debris dumpsters were being utilized all day. Several clam 

farmers were present with airboats to access and clean hard to reach, 

shallow areas. These dumpsters are available for a 2-week period to 

allow farmers to collect and dispose of gear over a much longer time 

than just the single day event. Some 80,000 lbs. of cover net had 

already been collected and disposed of in these bins as of 

9/18/18. Funded by the Cedar Key Aquaculture Association., two aquaculture debris dumpsters are Permanently in place and available to 

local clam farmers year round. 

Aquaculture debris dumpster 

funded by the Cedar Key 

Aquaculture Association.

Speaker Affiliation Email Address

Charlie Culpepper FDACS, Division of Aquaculture charlie.culpepper@freshfromflorida.com

Lisa Marshall U.S. Senator Bill Nelson's Office lisa_marshall@billnelson.senate.gov

Charles Grisafi NOAA Marine Debris Program charles.grisafi@noaa.gov 

Leslie Sturmer University of Florida/IFAS lnst@ufl.edu 

Craig Parks B & E Seafood N/A

Chad O'Steen Cedar Key Aquaculture Farms N/A

Joe Cannon Cedar Key Aquaculture Association N/A

Bob Rheault East Coast Shellfish Growers Association bob@ecsga.org 

Mark DeHaven FDACS, Division of Aquaculture mark.dehaven@freshfromflorida.com 

Heath Davis Mayor of Cedar Key hdavis@drummondbank.com 

Chris Topping Clamtastic, LLC clamtastic2000@yahoo.com 

Workshop Speakers
Page 8 Shellfish Aquaculture Gear Management Workshop 2018

Name Affiliation Email Address

Joey Stewart S.A.L.T., aquaculture student steven.stewart@levyk12.org

Joseph Allen S.A.L.T., aquaculture student joseph.allen@levyk12.org

Nicolas Kain S.A.L.T., aquaculture student nickkaindl@gmail.com

Trey Stanfield S.A.L.T., aquaculture student stanfield21trey@gmail.com

Trace Epperson S.A.L.T., aquaculture student trace.Epperson@gamil.com

Pete Stefani S.A.L.T., aquaculture student stefani.pete@gmail.com

Sam Parks S.A.L.T., aquaculture student samuel.parks@gmail.cm

Zander Stanley S.A.L.T., aquaculture student zander.stanley@levyk12.org

Ashley Cook U.S. Senator Marco Rubio's Office ashley_cook@rubio.senate.gov 

Lisa Marshall U.S. Senator Bill Nelson's Office Lisa_Marshall@billneslon.senate.gov

Vernis Wray Farmer gardwar42@gmail.com

Garret Warren Farmer N/A

Dana Bethea NOAA NMFS PRD dana.bethea@noaa.gov

Rich Matinowski NOAA NMFS SERO rich.malinowski@noaa.gov

Nicolette Mariano Oyster Boss, Eastpoint oysterboss.nicolette@gmail.com

Jeffery Tilley Oyster Boss, Eastpoint lostcreektilley@gmail.com

Reid Tilley Oyster Boss, Eastpoint reidkennethtilley@gmail.com

Anthony Hinkle Clamtastic Seafood N/A

Trisha Green FDEP FCO BBSAP trisha.green@dep.state.fl.us

Jamie Letendre FDEP FCO BBSAP jamie.letendre@dep.state.fl.us

John H. Burney Sebastian glareout@gmail.com

Sue Colson Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce N/A

Rose Cantwell Cedar Key Aquaculture Association cantwellrr@bellsouth.net

Rachel Wetherington S.A.L.T., teacher rachel.wetherington@levyk12.org

Jeff Roberts Farmer, Boat Run Oyster jwroberts813@gmail.com

Jess Beck-Stimpert NOAA Fisheries SERO jess.beck@noaa.gov

Serina Rocco FDACS, Division of Aquaculture Serina.Rocco@FreshFromFlorida.com

Rick Abbot Farmer N/A

Kal Knickerbocker FDACS, Division of Aquaculture Kal.Knickerbocker@FreshFromFlorida.com

Carolina Panoff Seaventure Clam Co. carolina@seaventuresgroup.com 

Jill Fleiger FDACS, Division of Aquaculture Jill.Fleiger@FreshFromFlorida.com

Denise Walsh FDACS, Division of Aquaculture Denise.Walsh@FreshFromFlorida.com

Carrie Jenkins FDACS, Division of Aquaculture Carrie.Jenkins@FreshFromFlorida.com

Marcy Cocknell FDACS, Office of the Commissioner N/A

Kieley Hurff FDACS, Division of Aquaculture Kieley.Hurff@FreshFromFlorida.com

Jackie Harrell FDACS, Division of Aquaculture Jackie.Harrell@FreshFromFlorida.com

Francesca Innocenti None Shown N/A

S. Filipowich None Shown N/A

Demi Fox NOAA MDP NERC demi.fox@noaa.gov

Sarah Latshaw NOAA MDP sarah.latshaw@noaa.gov

Sherry Lippiatt NOAA MDP sherry.lippiatt@noaa.gov

Caitlin Wessel NOAA MDP caitlin.wessel@noaa.gov

Paul Zajicek National Aquaculture Asso., Director paul@thenaa.net 

Barry Hurt FL Aquaculture Review Council bhurt@tampabay.rr.com

Andriana Leiva Texas Parks and Wildlife adriana.leiva@tpwd.texas.gov 

David Cowie Farmer dsc.cowie60@gmail.com 

Attendance Record

The proceedings results and conclusions, as well as any views or opinions expressed herein, are those of the 

speakers/panelists and do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or the Department of Commerce.