The Velella Epsilon Project is an extension of previous projects (Velella Beta-test and Velella Gamma Project) which demonstrated small-scale, offshore, marine fish culture in the waters of Kona, Hawaii. The Velella Epsilon (VE) Project will adapt these technologies to Gulf of Mexico (GOM) waters, while pursuing two simultaneous efforts: (a) permitting and deployment of a research-scale, demonstration net pen in Federal waters, and in tandem, (b) navigating the c ommercial p ermitting p rocess to obtain a commercial offshore aquaculture permit in Florida waters, while documenting this effort in a Manual for Aquaculture Permitting Pathway (MAPP).
The VE Project focuses on a small, pilot-scale (single net pen) aquaculture system where up to 20,000 red drum ( redfish; Sciaenops ocellatus ) fingerlings would be reared for approximately 12 months in Federal waters approximately 40 nautical miles west- southwest of Sarasota, Florida. We expect to yield approximately 17,000 fish (85% survival rate) with a final fish size of approximately of 3.0 pounds (lbs.) /fish. A n estimated final maximum harvest weight of 51,000 lbs. whole weight is anticipated. These fish will be landed in Florida, marketed, and sold to state- and Federally licensed dealers, in accordance with state/Federal laws.
The VE Project will lay the groundwork for wider acceptance of commercial aquaculture in the GOM region by: (1) Serving as a platform for the promotion of rational aquaculture policies and demystification of the industry, by providing a working net pen example to politicians, constituents, journalists, and other influencers of policy or public perceptions, as well as the local community; (2) Increasing public awareness of, and receptivity towards, offshore aquaculture and the need to culture more seafood in U.S. waters, by providing public tours of the offshore operation, including (possibly) snorkeling inside the net pen, and fee fishing; (3) Serving as a demonstration platform for data collection of water quality, potential benthic impacts, and marine mammal and fish stock interactions resulting from offshore aquaculture in the GOM; and (4) Providing local recreational, charter, and commercial fishing communities with evidence of the benefits of aquaculture, through the fish attraction device (FAD) effects of the project, and by documentation of fish aggregation and fishing boat activity around the VE Project.
Chapter 6 – Finalizing Project Permitting and Preparing For Deployment: Act III - will walk us through the sixth year’s experiences and achievements of finalizing the permitting process (via a permit modification) while collaborating with net pen manufacturers and engineering firms to evaluate a demonstration size net pen system that is representative of, and scalable to, a commercial farm scale system. A review of significant advancements performed with the MAPP development, as well as evaluations of potential commercial siting analyses, will be discussed.