Senate Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1408 Aquatic Food Production Program
Requester:	Dr. Steve Otwell		Organization:		Aquatic Food Products Lab
Project Title:	Aquatic Food Production Program		Date Submitted:		01/29/2000 4:49:47 PM
District Member:	Charles Clary		Service Area:		Statewide
Counties Affected:	{Statewide}
Recipient:	Aquatic Food Products Lab - Food Science & Human Nutrition S		Contact:		Dr. Steve Otwell
	University of Florida		Contact Phone:		(352) 392-4221
	Gainesville 32611
Project Description:
Seafood and aquaculture industry representatives from production and processing through retail, food service and international commerce are requesting annual technical support funds as the final phase of their ?partnership? initiated to assure and advance aquatic food safety and quality in Florida. On the verge of the 21st century, Florida?s seafood and aquaculture industries are experiencing more dramatic changes in all aspects of production, commerce, regulation and public perception than experienced in any previous decade. Florida ranks in the top ten states for foodborne illnesses and their aquatic foods contribute to this record due to the unique environmental setting. Florida supplies a substantial portion and unique verities of seafoods for the state, nation and world, and the tourist reputation partially relies on aquatic food expectations. Food safety and quality remains the measure for value and competition for Florida?s aquatic products whether they are harvested, cultured or imported. In response, the industry has helped build a ?Center of Excellence? dedicated to addressing the aquatic food product quality and safety problems in Florida. The facilities are based at the University of Florida.
Services Provided/Benefit to State:
Combining industry donations with various matching funds, the industry has helped build the Aquatic Food Products labs and pilot processing facilities which were completed in December 1999. With industry and agency advisement, this program is organized to provide extension services and out-reach programs for all segments of seafood and aquaculture commerce and consumers across all Florida counties. These services are available with bilingual talent and long-distance capability for public and private audiences about the state and nation. Complementary research is ongoing in pertinent food microbiology, food chemistry, process engineering, biotechnology, toxicology, and human nutrition. Plus, the program offers teaching for undergraduates and graduate students as the next generation to address food safety and quality in Florida.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
The following examples are work that is being provided and will be further enhanced by the Aquatic Food Products Program: Safety in processing and importing aquatic foods; Safety in consuming Florida oysters and securing market confidence, maintaining the National HACCP Training Program for industry and inspectors; Developing alternative freezing methods to eliminate harmful bacteria while maintaining expected quality; Demonstrated more effective equipment designs and cleaning methods for shucking; Introduced alternative market forms for cooked products; Biotechnology to assure seafood safety; Better market access for Florida hard clams (wild and aquacultured production); Develop rapid detection methods for microbial pathogens, marine toxins, and toxic algae based on specific probes; Developed tempering methods to prolonged shelf-life; Introduced total quality assurance(TQA) program; Introduced valued-added, frozen product forms; Value addition for Florida shrimp processing (domestic and imported); Developed proper use of anti-microbial agents and treatments to retain favorable moisture that is valued excess of $12 million annual in Florida alone; Developed safe controls for use of sulfiting agents to prevent the degarding formation of blackspots; Introduction of electronic noses,camera imaging and convenient field tests to judge and grade products.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:				$200,000
Total cost of the project:		$200,000

Request has been made to fund:			Operations
Is there Local Government or Private match for this request?					Unknown
Was this project previously funded by the State?					Unknown
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?					Yes
	Amount:	$200,000
	Purpose for future year funding:			Recurring Operations
	Will this be an annual request?				Yes
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?					Unknown
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?					Unknown
Is there a documented need for this project?					Yes
	Documentation:	Industry position paper
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?					No