Treasure Coast News, Business and Community February 2013 | Page 20

Pets Page

20 - TCnbc Magazine

20 - TCnbc Magazine

Shrimp is America’s most popular seafood, and consumption of

this shellfish continues to rise. Close to 2 billion pounds has

been imported annually from Asian and South American

countries, but the demand for shrimp farmed in the U.S. is

becoming ever more popular.

Florida Organic Aquaculture (FOA) offers a natural, wholesome

seafood alternative where shrimp is raised in an

environmentally safe, closed-loop aquaculture system. There are no synthetic additives or

preservatives used, such as pesticides and chemical fertilizers, which are notorious causes for

allergic reactions in people.

At their research farming facility being built in Fellsmere, FL, FOA will be using advanced

water quality monitoring systems, a water treatment plant, and emergency back-up devices to

maintain perfect growing conditions year-round. The enclosure will combine a closed-loop re-

circulating water supply, creating a bio-security system that addresses the dominant causes

of shrimp farm failure, which are diseases, bird predation, and upstream-downstream (bird droppings, rodents, etc) pollution.

Elimination of chemicals and germs degrade and destroy the natural taste of shrimp. FOA’s technological advantages are positioned to yield ten times the shrimp productivity. There is a professional and experienced staff that is acknowledged in the industry for their background in aquaculture. Affiliations with three top academic institutions have been established, along with a group of world leading aquaculture scientists.

Jumbo shrimp grown organically in Florida’s Treasure Coast