In
2001, Mote’s
aquaculture project was reorganized, under the direction of Dr. Kevan L. Main, into the Center for Aquaculture
Research
and Development (CARD). The mission of CARD is to develop new,
innovative, and
cost‑effective systems and husbandry techniques to produce high‑value
marine
and freshwater fishes and invertebrates.
The goal of this research center is to advance the aquaculture industry
and to
support and expand stock enhancement research in Florida
and worldwide. We are currently conducting research, development and
commercial
demonstration projects with a large number of marine and freshwater
species.
Marine research is focused on snook, red snapper, Florida
pompano, queen conch and hard corals. Our freshwater research is
focused on sturgeonaquaculture for caviar and meat production. Marine
shrimp culture research in low salinity and “hard” freshwater began in
2004. We are also conducting several projects to
investigate
the feasibility of growing snook and pompano in low salinity and in
freshwater. New species under consideration for aquaculture
research include spotted sea trout, long spined-sea urchins, and sea
horses.
