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Ao09 102 PAGE,361 B.A. AQUACULTURE USE ZONE MEETING REPORT The Board reviewed a Memorandum of August 18, 1997: MEMORANDUM TO: Board of County Commissioners FROM: Carolyn K. Eggert, Chairman DATE: August 18, 1997 SUBJECT: Report on Meeting about Aquaculture Use Zone On Wednesday, August 13, 1997 a public workshop was held in the Commission Chambers of the County Administration Building to discuss and receive community input on an aquaculture use zone in the area of the Pelican Island National Wildlife Park. Present were Carolyn Eggert, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners; Mark Berrigan, Aquaculture Coordinator Division of Marine Resources; Dom Whitmore, Project Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; David Vaughn, Director of Aquaculture, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution; Mike Ednoff, Aquaculture Division, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution; Paul Tritack, Refuge Manager, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge; Jeff Tabar, County Coastal Engineer•, and 45 community members. Mrs. Eggert served as moderator. Mark Beaigan gave the Department of Environmental Protection Perspective and described the Aquaculture Use Zone (AUZ.) The Zone includes 125 acres of submerged lands that are currently within the boundaries of the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. The 125 acres would be made up of 47 acres of existing leases and 78 acres which would be subdivided into additional leases. Dom Whitmore discussed the benefits of the AUZ from the Pelican Island National Wildlife Perspective. David Vaughn described the successful Cedar Key Model for Shellfish Aquaculture, and Mike Ednoff discussed the aquaculture training program and micro -enterprise loans from Enterprise Florida The workshop was then opened for public comments and questions. Positive comments: General support of the Aquaculture Use Zone was expressed by all. Many suggested a 500 foot buffer instead of a 375 foot buffer be put around Pelican Island. General agreement that the new 10 -year leases should be given to displaced fishermen from our area and that the leases should be large enough (2 acres) to be economically feasible - make a livelihood. Water is 4-6 feet and clean in this area. Concerns: No type of mechanical/experimental harvesting equipment should be used. A hookarake that helps men dive is the new, preferred technique for harvesting in 4-6 foot water. Leases should go to displaced fishermen living in our area - not open to everyone. Traffic corridor and Spratt's Creek should be kept open. AUGUST 19, 1997