absi cab questionnaire summary report...questionnaire summary october 2019 i. introduction the...
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ApalachicolaBaySystemInitiative(ABSI)
https://marinelab.fsu.edu/absi/
ABSICOMMUNITYADVISORYBOARDQUESTIONNAIRESUMMARY
DESIGNED AND COMPILED BY
ROBERT M. JONES & JEFF A. BLAIR
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TABLEOFCONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION 3
II. MOSTIMPORTANTSHORTANDLONGTERMABSIOUTCOMES 3A. SHORTTERM 3B. LONGTERM 4
III. LOOKINGBACK 5A. FORBETTER 5B. FORWORSE 6
IV.LOOKINGAROUND 7A. TAILWINDS 7B. HEADWINDS 9C. TRENDS 10D. CRITICALABSICHALLENGESANDISSUES 12
1. Oysterreefs:suitablelocations,heights,substrate,andsalinity 122. Waterquantityandtiming:freshwaterflow,quantity,timing,salinity
balance,predationanddrought 143. Lackofaholistic,sustainableApalachicolaBaymanagementplaninformed
byscience 164. Overharvesting,andconsiderationformanagingalimitedeffortoysterfishery 175. TheemergenceofaquacultureintheABSanditsrelationshiptowildharvesting196. Oystersandbayindecline 217. Sustainabilityasacommunity:culture,economy,education,andretraining 228. Landuse,development,andtourismimpactsonthefisheryandbaysystem 249. ABSIprocessandconsensus 25 10. OtherissuestheCABmightexplore 26
V. CRITICALABSIDATAANDSCIENCEAREASANDGAPS 28
VI. LOOKINGFORWARD 30A. AVERYUNDESIRABLEFUTUREFORTHEAPALACHICOLABAYSYSTEMIN2030 30 B. ENVISIONASUCCESSFULFUTUREFORTHEAPALACHICOLABAYSYSTEMIN2030 31 C. DRAFTVISIONOFSUCCESSTHEMES(DRAWNFROMTHERESPONSES) 34
VII. OTHERCOMMENTS 35StakeholderWorkingGroupMembersResponding 35
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ABSICOMMUNITYADVISORYBOARDQUESTIONNAIRESUMMARY
October2019
I. INTRODUCTION
TheCommunityAdvisoryBoard (CAB) is being convened todevelop consensuson a science-based ecosystem-based oyster management and restoration plan for the Apalachicola BaySystem(ABS).Tohitthegroundrunning,inadvanceoftheorganizationalmeetingonOctober30,2019,weaskedCABmemberstorespondtothisquestionnaire.Inadditiontothissummary,wehaveincorporatedCABmemberresponsesintotheorganizationalmeetingagendapacket.
II. MOSTIMPORTANTABSISHORTANDLONG-TERMOUTCOMESMemberswereaskedtonamethesinglemostsuccessfuloutcomefortheApalachicolaBaySystemInitiative(ABSI)processtoachieveintheshorttermandthelongterm?
A. OVERTHESHORTTERM
SUCCESSFULSHORT-TERMOUTCOMESFORTHEAPALACHICOLABAYSYSTEMINITIATIVE(ABSI)PROCESS
ListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses1. Aconsensusonavisionandplanthatisadoptedandimplemented(9)2. Openandinclusiveprocess(4)3. Thebayrevitalized(2)4. Determinewhyoystershavenotreturned(2)5. Ongoingmonitoringofwaterquality(1)MemberResponses
Aconsensusonavisionandascienceinformedplanthatisadoptedandimplemented(10)• Longtermconsensusplandevelopedandimplemented.• Developalong-termplanthataddressesallaspectsofthissystem.• AclearlyarticulatedandsharedvisionofwhatasuccessfulABSwouldlooklikeANDthe
developmentofaplantoachievethatvision.• Avibrantandprosperouscoastalcommunitysupportedbyahealthybaysystemthatboasts
cleanwater,restoredoysterreefsandothercoastalhabitats,andsustainableandproductivefisheryresources.
• Consensusonthescienceweneed.• Consensusonbestwaystomoveforwardforsomeimmediatepositiveresultsbutalsoa
long-termgameplanforsustainability.• Quicklydevelopplantorebuildoysterreefs.• Anoystermanagementplanisadopted.• Completionandimplementationofabaymanagementplanandarestorationplan.
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Openandinclusiveprocess(5)• Theprocessisrecognizedandacceptedasopenandinclusiveandwillbeviewedashaving
thepotentialtochangealonghistoryofnotworkingtogetherandnotchangingthedeclineoftheriverandbaysystem.Eachofusrepresentsawholelotofotherfolksthatcouldhavebeenselectedfortheadvisoryboardandweneedtomakesuretheyknowtheyarepartoftheprocess.
• Aprocessthatincludesviewsfromthelocaloysterharvestersanddealersandresultsinausefulproductthatallowsustomoveforward.
• AttheoutsetanABSIprocessthatisinclusive,acceptingandfriendlytothesomanypeopleandorganizationsthathaveworkedsohardoverthedecadestotryandsavetheApalachicolaRiverSystemthatincludesnotonlythebaybuttheApalachicolaRiverBasin.InmyworkonthisissueIfindandsensealevelofdisorganizationwithintheApalachicolaRiverandBaySystem,notallthedifferentfrommyexperienceworkingthelargerACFbasinissues.Facilitation,outreach,educationandinclusionwillbeinvaluableattheoutsetforeachofusselectedtobeamemberofthisadvisorygrouphasaherdoffolkswithandbehinduswithaworldofemotionsandexperienceinthisbasin.
• Providingtheforumandpavingthewayforhonest,respectful,meaningfulcommunicationbetweenstakeholdersregardingtheApalachicolaBaySystem'sissues,andpotentialstrategiestoaddressthoseissues.It'sallaboutcommunication.
• Communitybasedmanagementplanforsustainablefisheries.
TheBayrevitalized(2)• Revitalizationofthebay.• Bayreturnstonormal. Determinewhyoystershavenotreturned(2)• Determinewhytheoystershavenotreturnedeventhoughriverflowshaverecovered.• Figureoutwhythebayhassofewoysters.
Monitoringwaterquality(1)• Monitorwaterqualityofriverandbay.B. OVERTHELONGTERM
SUCCESSFULLONG-TERMOUTCOMESFORTHEAPALACHICOLABAYSYSTEMINITIATIVE(ABSI)PROCESS
ListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses1. Asystemofoysterreefsandoysterbarsforasustainablefishery(6)
Consensusonalong-termrecoverystrategyandsustainablemanagementplan(6)2. TheBayandit’scommunitiesarevibrant,thriving,productiveandresilient(3)MemberResponsesConsensusonalong-termrecoverystrategyandsustainablemanagementplan(6)• Consensusonlong-termstrategy.• Designsustainablemanagementplan.• Abaymanagementplanandoysterrecoveryplanbornoutofahighlytransparentprocess
reflectiveoflocalstakeholdervaluestoprotectthebayandriverhelpsthebayandoysters
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recoverandhasapermanentadvisorycommitteeintothefuturethathasrepresentationfromharvesters,dealers,localleadersandagencies.
• ArecoveryandmanagementplanforthebaythatisapartofarecoveryandmanagementplanfortheApalachicolaRiverBasinthatispartofanApalachicola,Chattahoochee,Flint(ACF)transboundarywatermanagementinstitutionthatincludesthefeds,statesandallthestakeholders.
• AnACFtransboundarywatermanagementinstitution,thatincludesanApalachicolaRiverrecoveryandmanagementplanandprocessthathasallthecomponentslikeabaymanagementandrecoveryplanandprocessremainsmygoal.Iaminmythirddecadeofadvocatingforsustainable,nowresilient,recoveryandmanagementplansandprocesses,institutionsifyouwill,fortheChipolaRiverwatershedwhereIlive,theApalachicolaRiverandBaySystem,andtheApalachicola,Chattahoochee,FlintRiverbasin,includingtheeasternGulfofMexico.
• Moreonthesocialsciencesideofthings:tofosterasenseoftrustamongthestakeholdersthatleadstoageneralconsensusontheprimarymanagementobjectivesandstrategiestoimprovetheecosystemfunctionsoftheApalachicolaBaySystem.
Asystemofoysterreefsforecosystemservicesandoysterbarsforasustainablefishery(6)• Asystemofoysterreefsprovidingecosystemservicesandhighproductivefishery.• Renewoysterbars.• Increasednaturaloysterbarproduction.• Sustainablecommercialoysterfishery.• Wildoysterharvestingtoresumetoasomewhatnormallevel.• Asustainablefishery-oyster,shrimp,crab,etc.
TheBayandit’scommunitiesarevibrant,thriving,productiveandresilient(3)• Avibrantandprosperouscoastalcommunitysupportedbyahealthybaysystemthatboasts
cleanwater,restoredoysterreefsandothercoastalhabitats,andsustainableandproductivefisheryresources.
• Makethebayproductiveagain.• Thrivingandresilientecosystem.
III. LOOKINGBACK
Lookingback,memberslistedkeymilestones/erasandpeoplethathavemadeadifference(forbetterorforworse)fortheApalachicolaBaySystem.A. FORBETTER
Milestones/Eras• GiventhecurrentstateoftheABS,I'mnotsureIcanpointtomany(ifany)successstories.• Expansivemanagementplansthathavehelpedprotectwaterflowsandhealth.• FloridadenialoftheUSArmyCorpsofEngineerspermittodredgetheriver.• FormationoftheApalachicolaRiverkeeperin1998andACFStakeholders,Inc.2009.(2)• Checkstations.• Publiclandsacquisitionandconservationefforts.
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• DenialofthepermitforCorpsleveldredgingoftheriver.• Seafoodindustrypreventedoverdevelopment.• 2013-2016-Intensiveresearchonthepotentialcausesofoystermortality.• EstablishmentoftheANERRforlocalresearchdata,designationasaBiosphereReserve,
ApalachicolaRiverkeeperinvolvement.• ANERR.• Publicawarenessthatanissueexistsandstatesupporttoaddressissues.• Stateshellingprogram.• NWFWMD.• FSUTriumphfundedproject. People• Thereareanumberofdedicatedfolkswhohavetriedtoshedalightonthemyriadofissues
plaguingthebay,butthosemessageshavenotbeenheardorwellreceived.• Toomanyfolkstolistwhohavegiventheircareersandvolunteertime.• Atoolonglistofpeopletolistatthefederal,stateandlocallevels.• HelenLeitman,USGS.• DanTonsmeire,ApalachicolaRiverkeeper.• AngusGholsonChattahoocheeFloridabotanist.• Gov.BobGraham,perhapsit'sgreatestpoliticaladvocate,it'snotreallyfairtostartnaming
allthefolks.• BobGraham.• DanTonsmerie.• SteveLeitman.• SteveRash.• WoodyMiley,thefirstResearchReservemanager.Herespectedlocalfishermanand
harvestedandincorporatedtheirextensiveknowledgeofthebay.• SmokeyParrishunderstandsthatweareuniqueandwehaveauniqueopportunityto
preservethebayandriver,whatmakesApalachicolaspecial.B. FORWORSE
Milestones/Eras• HistoricdroughtsinSEUS.• Naturaldisturbanceevents.• Lackofhistoricaverageriverflowrates-Georgia.• Lackoffreshwater.• Lackofriverflow.• Reducedwaterquality.• Watercontrolstructuresholdingbackflowduringlowwaterperiods.• USACErestrictingwaterflowsin2004(?)tolessthan10cfs.Everyonetoldthemthatit
wouldbethedeathofthebay.• Lostinthecourtsystemfordecadesand$100+millionthathasstifledscientificworkand
collaborationamongallthestakeholderswhiletheriverandbayhavesufferedthedeathofathousandlashes.
• The"WaterWars"legalchallenges/obstacles.
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• Constructionofthedamsandreservoirs.• USArmyCorpsEngineers.• Lackofconsensusonlong-termbayhealth.• Oystermanagementandlackoflong-termvision/planforsustainability.• Myopiceconomicpolicyandlossofbiodiversitythroughhabitatdestruction.• Habitatdegradation.• Increasingwaterusageupstream.• IncreasingagriculturalwithdrawalsinFlintRiverBasin.• Extensiveagriculturecenterpivotirrigationconsumptiveuse.• Rapidunsustainablepopulationgrowthsincethe1970's.• Landscapelevellanduseforurbanizationandagricultureandplantationforest
management.• Poorplanningandgrowthmanagementinthebroaderregion,ill-advisedland-useand
allocationofwaterresources.• Summerof2012-oysterresourcescrashedprecipitously.• Unsustainableharvestoffisheryresources.• BobSikes/governmentcut.• OpeningofSikescut.• BPoilspillaftermath.• Oilspill,andoystermenthemselves.
People• It'salonglistandI'llnotblameindividuals.• Nocommentonpeoplewhohavemadethisworse,can'tseeanybenefittothat,though
therearemany.
IV. LOOKINGAROUND
Membersrespondedtoquestionsthecurrent factors, trendsandcritical issues impactingthesystemtoday.A. TAILWINDS
MemberslistedfactorsenhancingthesuccessandhealthoftheApalachicolaBaySystem:
TAILWINDS-ENHANCINGTHEHEALTHOFTHEAPALACHICOLABAYSYSTEMListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses
1. Multiplestakeholders,electedleadersandpublicinterestedinimprovingtheBay’shealth(3)
2. ACFandtheSupremeCourt(3)3. OngoingmonitoringformanagingtheBay(2)
Conservationprotectedland(2)4. Aquaculture(1)5. Fundingavailableforprojects(1) 6. TheApalachicolaBaySystemInitiative(1)7. Freshwatercontinues(1)
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8. Littleharvesting(1) Multiplestakeholders,electedleadersandthepublicinterestedinimprovingtheBay’shealth• ResilienceofpeopleconnectedtotheBay.• Multiplestakeholdersinterestednowinimprovingtheoverallhealthofthebaywithsome
ofinfusionofresourcestotakeaction.• Peopleseemwillingtolistentothescience.• Localpopulationandlocalleadershipthathasastrongknowledgeanddesiretopreserve
thebayandriver.Theareaisanaquaticpreserve,andoutstandingwaterandareaofcriticalconcern,plus89%instateandfederalwildlands.Noteasytobuildaneconomy.However,thereisstillaverystrongdesiretopreservewhatmakesthisareaoneofakind.Seafoodharvesting(wildcaughtoysters)workswellwithpreservingthebay.Also,localpopulationshaveadeepknowledgeandskillsofthemaritimeenvironment.Readytoworktosaveanddiversifyit.
ACFandtheSupremeCourt• Potentialbasinwidecollaborativeplanning,managementandimplementationofwaterand
othernaturalresources,RCSCandACFStakeholders.• A"successful"outcomeintheSupremeCourt.ABSI.• ACFStakeholders,Inc.SustainablewatermanagementplanfortheACFbasin,apossible
positiveoutcomeoftheSupremeCourtcase.
Conservationprotectedland• Continuestoberelativelyundeveloped-veryfewnearbylanduses/infrastructuresthat
couldcauseharmtothebay.• Lowerlevelsofdevelopment,ApalachicolaNERRdataandresources,localeconomy
stronglybasedontourismandfisheries.
OngoingmonitoringformanagingtheBay• Monitoringbayandcomponentsfrommultipleagencies,contributingtomanagementand
layingthefoundationforsustainability.• On-goingmonitoringforbiologicalandwaterqualitybaselinedata,elevationofthisissueto
thenationalstage.
Aquaculture• Oysterfarming
Fundingavailableforprojects• Restorationandresearchfundsandprojects.ApalachicolaBaySystemInitiative(ABSI)
Freshwatercontinues• Continuedfreshwater.
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Littleharvesting• Lackofharvesting.
B. HEADWINDS
MemberslistedfactorsimpedingthesuccessandhealthoftheApalachicolaBaySystem.
HEADWINDS-IMPEDINGTHEHEALTHOFTHEAPALACHICOLABAYSYSTEMListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses
1. Lowfreshwaterdelivery-frequency,magnitude,duration(7)2. ChangingBayecosystem(4)
Lackofconsensus,mistrustandlackofunity(4)Poorlyplannedgrowththroughoutthebasin(4)
3. “Waterwars”(3)4. Oysterreefecosystemunderstress(2)5. PoorfundingdecisionsregardingrestorationofBay(1)
Politics,notscienceandpolicyguidingdecisions(1)Lackofenforcement(1)Oppositiontoaquaculture(1)
Noshellingprogram(1)DeepWaterHorizon(1)
MemberResponsesLowfreshwaterdelivery-frequency,magnitude,duration• Continuedissueswithregardtofreshwaterdeliverytothesystem.• Increasesinfreshwaterflowintheriver.• Furtherdegradationinfrequency,magnitudeanddurationoflowflowsaswellasmidand
highflows.• ContinuedlowflowsintheApalachicolaRiverduringdroughtconditions.• Lackofriverflow.• Waterflow/quantities.• GatesystemonBobSikescut.
ChangingBayecosystem• Dynamicchangingecosystem.• Lossofbiodiversityandhabitat.• Sealevelriseandclimatechange.• Climatechange-changingwatertemperatures,salinity,ph.,levels.Lackofconsensus,mistrustandlackofunity• FailuretoworktogethertowardeffectiverecoveryandmanagementplansfortheACF
system,includingtheBayandtheeasternGulfofMexico.• Disconnectedstakeholders;nocomprehensivePLANbythestateforriverandbay
managementLackofconsensusmaydevelop.• Disagreement/mistrustbetweenlocalstakeholdergroupsonsomeissuesandcauses-we
needtobeunified-Ihearthingssaidlikethestatewantsthebaytofail;thefossilshelliswhatiskillingthebay,thebayhasbeenresearchedtodeath,etc.
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• CountyCommissionshouldbeunifiedintellingtheresourcemanagerstodowhattheyneedtodoandtheresourcemanagersshoulddowhattheyknowisbestfortheresource.Rightnow,itseemsliketheyarebothwaitingoneachothertomakethecallsforfearofpublicreprisalifstakeholdersaren'thappy;sorry,tryingtobehonesthere.
Poorlyplannedgrowththroughoutthebasin• Lackofcomprehensivemanagementplan.• Uncontrolled,poorlyplannedgrowthanddevelopment,M-coreasanexample.• Futureunplannedandunsustainableeconomicgrowthanddevelopment.• Upperusesofwaterinthebasin.Commodityfarmsincreasing.Theyusemorewater.
“Waterwars”• "Waterwars"ingeneralandfocusonneedsforoysterhealthratherthanbroader
ecosystemneeds.• Continuationoflitigation.• UnsuccessfuloutcomeintheSupremeCourt.Oysterreefecosystemunderstress• Lackofoysterstoproducespat,lackofshellstockonbars.• Reductioninthesuitablesubstrateforspatrecruitment.Reductioninthespawningstock.
Poorfundingdecisionsregardingrestorationofbay• Poordecisionsregardingtheexpendituresofdollarsthatmightbeusedtomosteffectively
restorethebay. Politics,notscienceandpolicyguidingdecisions• Badpoliticalinfluenceofotherwisegoodpublicandscientificinformationandpolicy.
Lackofenforcement• Lackofoysterenforcements,closures.
Oppositiontoaquaculture• Countyoppositiontomariculture.
Noshellingprogram• lackofshellingprogram. Deepwater Horizon
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C. TRENDS
MemberslistedtrendsimpactingthesuccessandhealthoftheApalachicolaBaySysteminthecomingyears.
TRENDSIMPACTINGTHEHEALTHOFTHEAPALACHICOLABAYSYSTEMListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses
1. Growth(7)2. Upstreamagricultureandforestmanagementimpactsonwaterqualityandsupply(5)
Climatechangeimpacts(5)3. Bay’sandindustry’sdeclineandlossofseafoodculture(3)4. Enforcement(2)
Disagreementonhowtoachievesustainability(2)5. Riseofaquaculture(1)
Growingtourismeconomy(1)Lossofbiodiversity(1)
Growth(7)• Atlantametroareagrowth.• Myopiceconomicdevelopmentpoliticsandpolicy.• OnthepathtobeliketherestofFlorida.• Changesinuseofthesurroundingarea,development.• Populationgrowth.• Economictroubles.• Short-sightednessonthepartofkeydecisionmakers.• Developmentpressures.
Climatechangeimpacts(5)• Afailuretoadapttotheimpactsofchangingclimate.• Climatechangeandlackoffaithinscience.• Climatechange,risingsealevel,morepowerfulhurricanes.• Droughtfrequency,durationandmagnitude.• LackoffreshwaterduetoSEdroughtthatmaycome.
Upstreamagricultureandforestmanagementimpactsonwaterqualityandsupply(5)• Waterqualityissuesfromtheconversionofforestlandtorange/pasturelandforcattleby
DeseretRanch.• Largescalecattleoperationseffectingwaterandhabitatquality.• Changesinfarm,forestandlandmanagement,likelongleafpine.• Sodbasedirrigatedrowcropagriculture.• Growthofcotton,cornandsoybeansontheFlintRiver(higherwaterusethanvegetables).Bay’sandindustry’sdeclineandlossofseafoodculture(3)• IfthisBaycontinuestodeclinetheseafoodculturewilldisappearinlargepartfromthe
area.
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• Also,thelossofoysterdealersandharvesters.Itusedtobeamulti-million-dollareconomyandrelativelywell-payingjobs.Theindustryhascollapsed.
• Oysterharvestingisbecominglessandlesslikelytosurviveasameanstomakealiving. Disagreementonhowtoachievesustainability(2)• Disagreementonhowtoachievesustainability.• Setting/meetingexpectationsontimeframetoachieve.
Enforcement(2)• Inabilityofenforcement.• Lackofethicsamongcurrentoysterharvesters. RiseofAquaculture(1)• Aquacultureisgrowing;however,naturaloysterreefsarestillneeded.
Tourismeconomy(1)• Ithinkthattherewillbeacontinuedshifttowardtourismastheprimaryeconomicdriverof
thecounty.Ithinkthattherewillbemoredevelopmentandsupportforbusinessessupportingtourism.
Lossofbiodiversity(1)• Lossofbiologicaldiversitythroughthedestructionofhabitat. D. CRITICALABSICHALLENGESANDISSUES
Members noted any key strategic issues and challenges that the Community Advisory Boardshould focus on in the following areas that were identified in the Stakeholder Assessmentreport.
1. Oysterreefs:suitablelocations,heights,substrate,andsalinity.
VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg4 3 2 1 0 12 4 0 0 0 3.75of4
OYSTERREEFS-ISSUESANDINFORMATIONNEEDEDListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses
ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:1. Substrateandreefs(7)2. Oysterfarmingandrelationtooysterreefecosystem(3)
LakeWimicoandconnectiontotheBay(3)Waterchemistryandoysterreefecosystem(3)
3. FlowsandconnectiontoRiversystem(2)SikesCut(2)
4. Enforcementofrules(1)Dredging(1)
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Sealevelrise(1)INFORMATIONNEEDED• Commonagreedupondata,informationandmodelingandassessmenttools(8)• UnderstandingHistoricchangestotheriverandBay(6)• Oysterfarminginimpactonoysterreefsystem(1)• Dataonlocalenforcement(1)ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:
Substrateandreefs• Weneedtounderstandthewaterchemistryandbesurethatreefbuildingeffortsarenotin
vainregardingchangingpHvalues.• Suitabilityandavailabilityandpublicperceptionsregardingsubstratematerials.• Aplantohelpthepublicunderstandthefactsbetteraboutsubstratesuitability.• Plantingofpropershellstock.• Gettingshellondepletedreefs.• Sourcematerialwillgetmoreexpensiveandvariousoptionsneedtobeexplored
thoroughly.• Substrateplacement
Oysterfarmingandrelationtooysterreefecosystem• HelpingBayrecoverbyhelpingthelocalharvestertransitionintoaquaculture.• Oysterfarming/aquaculturetosupplement/helpfishery.• Oysterfarming,aretheyplacedinareaswheretheycanspawnandenhancegrowthon
naturalbars?
LakeWimicoandconnectiontotheBay• St.JoeCanalandIntercoastalWaterway.• InstallcontrolstructureinLakeWimico,studyhowthatchangesfreshandsaltwaterflows
toApalachicolaandSt.JoeBay,asanexample.• LakeWimico,sloughrestoration.
Waterchemistryandoysterreefecosystem• WaterchemistrytrendsregardingpH.• Sciencedriven.• Restorationstrategiesandlocalcommunitybuy-inandstewardship.
SikesCut• SikesCut.• PossibleinfrastructuretomanagefreshandsaltwaterinflowsatSikesCut. FlowsandconnectiontoRiversystem• ConnectiontoRiversystem.• Flowsandbasinwidemanagement.
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Otherissues• Enforcementofrules.• Dredging.• Sealevelrise.
INFORMATIONTHECABMAYNEED
Commonagreedupondata,informationandmodelingandassessmenttools• Understandhowoystersoperate.• Mostimportantisweneedtoknowwhatisoutthere.• Commonagreedupondataisanissuehaschallengedusthroughoutthebasin.• Somanyissuesneededinthelistingandcommoninformationanddatatoworkfromfor
decision-making.• Mapsofreefs-historic,currentefforts,whatarethepriorityareastobemapped.• Oysterlarvaltransportmodels.• Hydrodynamicmodeling-toidentifykeyplacesformajorrestorationwork.• Habitatsuitabilitytools.Historicchangestotheriverandbay• Understandingupstreamwateruseandhistoryofwaterdecline.• Understandinghistoricalchangestotheriverandbay.• Historicalchangestotheriverandbay,dredging,SikesCut,St.JoeCanalandIntercoastal
Waterway.InstallcontrolstructureinLakeWimico,studyhowthatchangesfreshandsaltwaterflowstoApalachicolaandSt.JoeBay,asanexample.
• Whatimpactshavehistoricaldevelopmentlikethecausewaysanddredginghadonflows,directions,locations,salinity,etc.
• Bayconditionsrecent,pastandongoingintothefuture.• Historicalrestorationstrategiesandstrategiesusedinotherareas.
Oysterfarminginimpactonoysterreefsystem• Oysterfarming-aretheyplacedinareaswheretheycanspawnandenhancegrowthon
naturalbars.
Dataonlocalenforcement• Localenforcement–fines. 2. Waterquantityandtiming:freshwaterflow,quantity,timing,salinitybalance,predation
anddrought.
VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg4 3 2 1 0 13 3 0 0 0 3.8of4
WATERQUANTITYANDTIMINGINTHEBAYSYSTEM-ISSUESANDINFORMATIONNEEDEDListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses
ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:1. Hydrology,droughts,freshwaterflowsandsalinity(4)
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2. Whatisalreadyaccomplishedandbeingdone?(2)3. HistoricalchangestotheriverandBay(1)
Upstreamwateruse(1)Oysterfarmingimpactonnaturalbars(1)Increaseresiliencyofthesystem(1)
INFORMATIONNEEDED• Mappingandidentifyingsystemcomponentsandinterconnectivity• Hydrodynamicmodeling• Upstreamwatermanagement• Localmonitoring• ACFwaterwars• ACFStakeholdersplanandassessment• Researchfromplaceswiththesameissues
ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:Hydrology,droughts,freshwaterflowsandsalinity(4)• Howthehydrologyofthebayischangingandmaychangewithfuturedroughts.• Howdoesthatinformationguiderestorationandfuturemanagementofthefishery?• Howtomaintainproperfreshwaterflow.• Salinityhasbeenimproving
Whatisalreadyaccomplishedandbeingdone?(2)• TheACFStakeholders,Inc.completedaSustainableWaterManagementPlanfortheACF
basin.• DevelopingoysterbedsnorthoftheGorrieBridgeinfresherwater. HistoricalchangestotheriverandBay(1)• Dredging,SikesCut,St.JoeCanalandIntercoastalWaterway.Installcontrolstructurein
LakeWimico,studyhowthatchangesfreshandsaltwaterflowstoApalachicolaandSt.JoeBay,asanexample.
Upstreamwateruse(1) Oysterfarmingimpactonnaturalbars(1)• Oysterfarms,aretheyplacedinareaswheretheycanspawnandenhancegrowthon
naturalbars?
Increaseresiliencyofthesystem(1)• Increaseresiliencyofthesystemsoitcansurvivechallengingcondition.
INFORMATIONTHECABMAYNEEDMappingandidentifyingsystemcomponentsandinterconnectivity
• Mappingofoysterresourcesinthebay.• Examininghistoricalmappingwithwaterregimes.• Identifyingprimaryecosystemcomponentsandtheinterconnectivity
dataonthegeologicalsubstrate.
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Hydrodynamicmodeling
• Hydrodynamicmodeling.• Hydrologicalmodelingandbiologicalneedsofthesystem.Goingtoneedsome
presentationsandlinkstoinfo.
Upstreamwatermanagement• Howwaterishandled/managedupstream.
ACFwaterwars
• Understandingthewaterwars.• Reservoirdroughtrules.
Monitoring
• Localmonitoringdata,morelocalmonitoringdonere:predation.
ACFStakeholdersplanandassessment• AlinktotheACFStakeholdersInc.SustainableWaterManagementPlanandarecent
ACFStakeholdersBayAssessment.
Researchfromplaceswiththesameissues• Researchfromotherareasthathavehadthesameissues.
3. Lackofaholistic,sustainableApalachicolaBaymanagementplaninformedbyscience.
VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg4 3 2 1 0 9 6 1 0 0 3.5of4
HOLISTIC,SUSTAINABLEAPALACHICOLABAYMANAGEMENTPLAN
ISSUESANDINFORMATIONNEEDSListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses
ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:1. Longtermplanlayingoutthebasicelementsiscritical(3)TheBaycollapseandtheACFsystem(3)2. Enforcementofharvestrules(2)3. Investinscience(1)
Healthyproductiveecosystemprimaryconsideration(1)Ongoingprocessconveners(1)
INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED• Analysisofsimilarscience-basedrestorationefforts• Statemanagementefforts• SummariesofprevioussignificantworkdoneontheABS• HowsalinityworksintheBay• Betterfisheriesdata• HistoricaluseoftheBay
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• SeafoodharvestrulesinformationISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:
Longtermplanlayingoutthebasicelementsiscritical• Comprehensivelong-termplaniscritical.• Wemusthaveacomprehensiveplan.• Planneedstobesimpleenoughinconceptuallayoutandcontentsothatallstakeholders
willbeattractedtolookatitandabletounderstanditsbasicelements,soitwillbecriticalthattherebea"short-version"thatlaysoutthebasicelementsinaneasytounderstandmanner.
Enforcement• Strictandenforceablerules,maybelimitedentry.• EnforcementbyagencieslikeFWC.
TheBaycollapseandtheACFsystem• Needtoknowwhythisisthecase.Isittransboundaryissues,thelitigation,failureofthe
statetomanagethebaysystem?• TheACFisaconnectedsystem.• Indicationsarethatallfisheriesareindecline.Whataretheunderlyingcauses?
Investinscience• Thereappearstobelittleappreciationbyfundingentitiesandkeydecisionmakersforthe
needtoinvestinsciencetoinformsuccessfulrestorationeffortsthatareessentialtosustainedeconomicbenefit.Likewise,thereseemstobelittleappetiteforinvestmentsinandcommitmenttomonitoringtoevaluaterestorationeffortsandotheractions.
Healthyproductiveecosystemprimaryconsideration• Primaryconsiderationshouldbehealthyecosystemandproductivitybeforeexploitation.
Ongoingprocessconveners• TheWaterManagementDistrictshouldbetheconvenersofsuchanongoingprocessthat
includesallthestakeholdersandthatincludesthefeds,thestate(s)andthebasinstakeholders.That'snothappening.
INFORMATIONTHECABMAYNEED
• Analysisofsimilarscience-basedrestorationeffortsfromelsewhere(e.g.NorthCarolina,ChesapeakeBay,etc.).
• Statemanagementefforts.I'dliketoknowwhatthestateagencyfolksonourboardexplainisthereasonforthis"lack"?
• SummariesofprevioussignificantworkdoneontheABS-synthesistoanunderstandable,laymenlevelofthemodelingthathasbeendoneregardingsalinityinthesystem.
• Betterfisheriesdata-notjusttriptickets,butmoreinformationaboutlocationofcatch(i.e.thecrabfisheryhasworkedaroundthemouthoftheriver;shrimpersdobetteroffshorethaninthebay).
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• Historicaluseofthebay. • Howsalinityworksandisaffectedinthebay.• Seafoodharvestrulesinformation.Informationonallseafoodharvestrules(commercial&
recreational). • Scienceinformedthresholdswhentoopenandclosethebaydefinedinthemanagement
plan. • Abuy-inonthedataandplanatsomelevelfromALLkeystakeholdergroups,i.e.
consensusthinking. 4. Overharvesting,andconsiderationformanagingalimitedeffortoysterfishery.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 5 9 2 0 0 3.2of4
OVERHARVESTINGANDCONSIDERATIONOFALIMITEDOYSTERFISHERY
ISSUESANDINFORMATIONNEEDSListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses
ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:1. Addressinthemanagementplan(4) 2. Enforcementofharvestingrules(3)3. Modelingscenariosregardingharvestandrecoveryrates(2)HarvestinginformationandBayclosure(2)4. Extentofhistoricalreefsandexpectationsforrobustfishery(1)INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED• Statusandconditionofoysterbedsandoysterfishery• Overharvestingdataandsustainableharvestlevel• EnforcementdataISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:
Addressinthemanagementplan• Thresholdswhentoopenandclosethebaydefinedinthemanagementplan.• Shouldbepartofthebaymanagementplan.• Allmanagementmustbereevaluated.• IthinktheFWCiscapableofproperlymanagingthefisherygivenadequateresourcesand
accesstodata. Enforcementoftheharvestingrules• Morenighttimemonitoringofoysterpoachers.• Strictandenforcedharvestingrules.• Enforcement.
Modelingscenariosregardingharvestandrecoveryrates• PerhapssomemodelingthatwouldexhibitvariousscenariosonhowmuchaBayrecovery
willbedelayedgivencontinuingharvestandvariousrecoveryrates;manyjustdon'tseem
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torealizethefutureimpactstopotentialrecoverythatcontinuedharvestingduringrecoverywillhave.
• Thelocalcultureseemstobelievethattheyneedtokeeppurchasingtheharvesterlicensesortheymaygetlockedoutwiththeimplementationofalimitedfishery;howevertheydon'trealizethatwithcurrentconditionsthereisalreadyalimitedfisheryduetoadecimatedoysterpopulation,partlyduetoanunlimitedfisheryregime.
Extentofhistoricalreefsandexpectationsforrobustfishery• Extentofhistoricalreefscomparedtothefishery,relativetocurrentstatus/conditions.• Needtosetrealisticexpectationsforrobustfishery
HarvestinginformationandBayclosure• Thereismisinformationonoverharvesting.WHENandWHEREandWHY?Thereislittleto
harvestcurrently.FWCshouldclosetheBaytoharvesting.• Listentotheseafoodindustrystakeholdershere.ClosetheBay.
INFORMATIONTHECABMAYNEED
Statusandconditionofoysterbedsandoysterfishery• Overviewpresentationontheissue.• Statusandconditionoftheoysterbedsonanongoingbasis.• HistoricaldataonoysterfisheryandMSY.• Viabilityofoysterfisherynearby/elsewhereandfarminginthebay.
Overharvestingdataandsustainableharvestlevel• Whatitwouldlooklike:WithXXbeingasustainableharvestlevel,howmanyfisherscould
participateinthefishery?• Dataonharvestsinopenareasandevidenceofoverharvestafterarecentlyshelledareais
openedtounlimitedharvesting.
Enforcementdata• Numberofcitationsissuedeachyearfrom1998-present.• Dataonoysterpoachinginclosedareas.• Howwillingistheseafoodindustrytocooperate?• HowtogettheBaygoing.
5. Theemergenceofaquaculture,anditsrelationshiptowildharvestingintheABS.
VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 3 1O 2 1 0 2.9of4
THEEMERGENCEOFAQUACULTUREINTHEBAY
ISSUESANDINFORMATIONNEEDSListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses
ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:1. Doboth-wildharvesting/oysterreefsandaquacultureareneeded(3)
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Conflictresolutionandlocalgovernmentviewofaquaculture(3) 2. AquacultureimpactontheBayandoysterreefsystemecology(2)
Bestsitelocationsforaquaculture(2)Education,Funding/capitalforstartingaquacultureoperations(2)
3. LawEnforcement(1)INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED• Economicandmarketingdataonbenefits/coststousinglocalaquaculture• CarryingcapacityforaquacultureintheBay• Impactsonotherusersandresources• Bestpractices • IndustryparticipationISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:
Doboth-wildharvesting/oysterreefsandaquacultureareneeded• Weshouldbeabletodoboth,ANDacommerciallyviablewildharvestforoystersisagood
indicatoroftheoverallsystemhealth.• AllowmaricultureinApalachicolaBay.• Arecognitionthatnaturaloysterreefsareneeded.
Conflictresolution• Anticipateaneedforconflictresolution.• Lesscriticalintermsofecologicalconsequencesbutfairlyimportantintermsofpublic/local
perceptionregardingmarketsandprices.• WhydoesthelocalgovernmentopposeandwhydoesthestateallowlocalGov'ttocontrol?
AquacultureimpactontheBayandoysterreefsystemecology• Agriculture/aquacultureisgenerallynotfriendlytothenaturalenvironmentandweshould
makesurethatis/willnothappeninthebay.• Useofnon-sexualreproductivestrainsversusreproductivestrains.Bestsitelocationsforaquaculture• Bestsitelocations.• Oysterfarmleases.
Education,funding/capitalforaquacultureoperations• Localpopulationswitchingfromwildharvesttoaquaculture.Needfundingtohelpthem
getcapitalandknowledgeofrunninganaquaculturebusinesstostartanoperation.• Engagementofoystermeninaquacultureandeducation/trainingforwildoystermenon
farmingpractices.
LawEnforcement• LawEnforcement-howdoyouprotectinterestsfrombeingsabotaged?INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED
Economicandmarketingdataonbenefits/coststousinglocalaquaculture
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• Economicdataonthebenefitstolocalrestaurantsutilizinglocal,farm-raisedproductversusbringinginfromotherlocations.
• Actualmarketingdatafromaquacultureoperationsingeneralterms,i.e.notthespecificcustomerinfobutthetypeofcustomerinfo;forbothsegmentsoftheindustry(wildandaquaculture).
CarryingcapacityforaquacultureintheBay• Whatisthecarryingcapacityofanaquacultureindustryinthebay?• Whatisthepotentialyieldfromarestoredoysterpopulation?
Impactsonotherusersandresources• Whatimpactsmighthighdensityaquaculturehaveonotherresourcesandotheruser
groups?• OverviewofcoexistenceofaquacultureinotherareasinFloridalikeCedarKey.
Bestpractices• Discussionfromoysteraquacultureexpertsinregion/gulfonbestpractices.• Lookathowothersaredoingitsuccessfully.
Industryparticipation• Willtheindustrybuyinareaswherenewaquacultureleasescanbeobtainedin
ApalachicolaBay?
6. OystersandBayindecline:aftertheperfectstorm,statusquoisfailing.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 4 5 3 0 3 3.1of4
OYSTERSANDBAYINDECLINE
ISSUESANDINFORMATIONNEEDSListedInorderoffrequencyfromtheQuestionnaireresponses
ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:1. Enforcement,harvestingethicsandlimitedentry(5) 2. Learnwhythedeclinefrompastfailures(3)
Supportforaquacultureinlightofdecline(3)4. Adaptivemanagementandpartnerships(2)5. AlternativeeconomiesfortheBay(1) Lackofspat(1) INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED• Researchonthedecline• Recruitment• Shellbudget• Limitedentry• Aquaculturecosts
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ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:
Enforcementandharvestingethics(7)• Enforcement.• Failuretoenforcesizeandlimits.• Rulechangesandlocalenforcement.• Localharvestingethics.• Peopleshouldseetheblackandwhiteofthesituationinnumbersandsizeclassofoysters
duringroutinesurveys.• Wehavetochangetheculture.• Considerclosingthebaytoharvest.
Learnwhythedeclinefrompastfailures(3)• Whatlessonscanbelearnedfrompastfailures?Ithinkweknowalotalready.• Why,needtoknowinordertogetoffthepathweareon.• Sortoutcauseandeffectissue-by-issue,andcombined.
Supportforaquacultureinlightofdecline(3)• Localpopulationneedshelplearninghowtomanageafarmingoperation.• Alsoneedinsuranceandaccesstocapital$$.• Opportunities(funding)forengagementwiththeseafoodindustry.
Adaptivemanagementandpartnerships(2)• Wemustbeproactiveandengageadaptivemanagement.• Whatisneededtobuildapartnershiptoenablethebaytosucceed. AlternativeeconomiesfortheBay(1)• Willbegoodtoknowwhatthealternativeslooklike,ifnotanaturalresource,
seafood/tourist-basedeconomy,what'sthealternative/s?Betterorworse?
Lackofspat(1)• Lackofoysterstoproducespat
INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED
Researchonthedecline• Research/monitoringdatarelatedtothedecline.• Moresurveydataontheactualreefsifitisnotbeingdonetoasufficientlevelforagood
pictureofthesituation.• Whatisneededtogetthebarsproducingagain.
Recruitment• Whataretheunknownfactorsaffectingrecruitmentsuchaspredatordistribution,
spawningstocknumbers,isolatedspawningstock?
Shellbudget• Effectsof(not)returningshelltowater,shellbudgethistoricalvs.futureneeds.
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Limitedentry• Effectsoflimitedentry.
Aquaculturecosts• Costsofstartingaquacultureoperation.7. Sustainabilityasacommunity:culture,economy,education,andretraining.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 6 9 1 0 0 3.3of4
SUSTAINABILITYASACOMMUNITYISSUESANDINFORMATIONNEEDS
ListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponsesISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER1. Enforcement,harvestingethicsandlimitedentry(5) 2. Learnwhythedeclinefrompastfailures(3)
Supportforaquacultureinlightofdecline(3)3. Adaptivemanagementandpartnerships(2)4. Alternativeeconomiesandretrainingfortheindustry(1)
Lackofspat(1) INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED• ModelingscenariosontimelinesforeconomicsuccessinFranklinCounty.• Whataretheoptionsforretraining?-Needtohearfromstakeholders. • Fundingopportunitiesforengagingtheseafoodindustry.Whatarethecostsofstarting
aquacultureoperation?• Whathasnotworkedinthepast?Whataresimilarseafoodcommunitiesthathadissues
withresourcedepletion?
ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER
Economicalternativesandseafoodculture• Willbegoodtoknowwhatthealternativeslooklike,ifnotanaturalresource,
seafood/tourist-basedeconomy,what'sthealternative/s?Betterorworse?• Localharvestingethics• Manyofthetraditionalharvestersareeithernotinterestedornotcapableofretrainingfor
otherskilledjobstosomesignificantdegree.Asalreadymentioned,continueddeclineinthesystemalsoerodesthetraditionalseafoodculture.
• Economicaspectscanbeoffsetbyaquacultureoystersbutitwillbeadifferentsegmentofthecommunityinvolvedwiththatinlargepart.Inotherwords,theseafoodculturemayremainasfarasoystersgobutitwillbecomposedofdifferenthumanandmarketelements.
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Defininga“sustainablecommunity”• Whatdoesasustainablecommunitylooklikeinthefuture?Doeseverybodyhavethesame
vision?Canalltheinterested/affectedpartiescometoconsensusonapathforward?• Communicationofbestapproachidentifiedbyconsensus,withrealisticlevelof
expectations.• Stewardshipandlocal,activeengagementinrestorationandresiliencyofthesystem.• ConsiderLimitedentrytosustainculture.
Managinganaquaculturefarmingoperation• Localpopulationneedshelplearninghowtomanageafarmingoperation.Alsoneed
insuranceandaccesstocapital$$.
Involveindustryinresearch,monitoringandrestoration• Exploreopportunitiestoretaininstitutionalknowledgebyhavingharvestersparticipatein
research,monitoringandrestoration.
INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED• Modelingscenariosonprojectedtimelinesforsuccess.• WhataretheoptionsforretrainingthatfitthepopulationdemographicsofFranklin
County?• Whatarethecostsofstartingaquacultureoperation?• Opportunities(funding)forengagementwiththeseafoodindustry.• Whathasnotworkedinthepast?• Historicalinfofromsimilarseafoodcommunitiesthathadissueswithresourcedepletion.• Needtohearfromstakeholders. 8. Landuse,development,andtourismimpactsonthefisheryandBaySystem.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 3 8 4 1 0 2.8of4
LANDUSE,DEVELOPMENTANDTOURISMIMPACTSONTHEBAYSYSTEM
ISSUESANDINFORMATIONNEEDSListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses
ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER1. Developmentimpacts(e.g.stormwaterrunoff)onthefishery(5) 2. Stormwaterrunoff(4)3. Planningforresilience(2)4. CattleoperationsintheBasin(1)
Aquacultureasaneyesore(1)Ruralfishinglifestyle(1)
INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED• Development,futurelanduseandpopulationprojections• Pollutionandimpactsrelatedtodevelopment
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ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER
Developmentimpacts(e.g.stormwaterrunoff)onthefishery• AreviewofcomprehensiveplanningandhowithaschangedinFloridainrecentyears.• Landuseanddevelopmentcouldimpactthefishery,socontinuethoughtful/purposeful
developmentthatwillnotimpactthebay'sresources.• Don'tbelievelocallanduseissuesareapriorityatthisstage.• Uncontrolled,poorlyplanneddevelopmentisoneofthefourthreatstheRiverkeeper
identifiedtotheABS.• Growthmanagementimpactstofisheriesrelyingonoysterhabitat.
Stormwaterrunoff• RunofffromSGI.• Stormwaterrunoff.• Developmentandrunoffhaveimpact.• Pollutioncurrentandpotential.
Planningforresilience• Resilienceplanning.• Equitableresourceallocation.
CattleoperationsintheBasin• Itisnotjustpeople,thereisaverylargecattleoperationmovingintoourbasin.
Aquacultureasaneyesore• Aquaculturebecoming"aneyesore"tonewpeoplemovingtothearea.
Ruralfishinglifestyle• Maintenanceofaruralfishinglifestyle.INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED
Development,futurelanduseandpopulationprojections• Whatarethelong-termdevelopmentplansforthisregion?• Futurelanduseandpopulationprojectionsandimpactstofisheriesrelyingonoyster
habitat.• Notsureoftheappropriatetimeline,butkeepthegroupawareofpotential
development/landuseissuesastheycomeup.• Setbacksfromtheshorelinesfordevelopment.
Pollutionandimpactsrelatedtodevelopment• Ispollutionrelatedtodevelopmentoccurring?• Developmentimpactstofisheriesrelyingonoysterhabitat.
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9. ABSIprocessandconsensus.
VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg4 3 2 1 0 5 8 1 1 1 3.1of4
ABSIPROCESSANDCONSENSUS--ISSUESANDINFORMATIONNEEDSListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses
ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER1. Open,transparent,userfriendlycommunicationwithcommunity(4)Howwillscienceinformthemanagementandrestorationplan?(4) 3.Equitablerepresentationandrespect(3)4. ABSICommunityAdvisoryBoardimpactonmanagementdecisions(2)INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED• Historyofstakeholderpointsofcontention• Communicationandpublicexpectations
ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER
Open,transparent,user-friendlycommunicationwithcommunity(4)• Willneedopenandfrequentcommunicationwithcommunity.• Transparency.• Tooearlytoanswerbutwheredowedirectquestions,comments,suggestions?• NeedtobeuserfriendlyandnotjusttoourCommunityAdvisoryBoardmembers.
Howwillscienceinformthemanagementandrestorationplan?(4)• Howwillsciencebemeldedintostateandcommunityactionandrulechanges?• ABSIisbasicallytheonlyrestorationeffortbeingconducted.• Takepoliticsoutoftheequation.• Conditionofthebay. Equitablerepresentationandrespect(3)• Equitablerepresentationandrespectforbuildingalong-termsolutiontorestorethebay.• Keepgroupdiscussionsopenandtransparent.• Thiswillbehardtodobutitiscritical.
ABSICommunityAdvisoryBoardimpactonmanagementdecisions(2)• Thismaybeourlast,bestshotatbringingourvoicetogethertohaveatangibleimpacton
managementdecisionsbeforeit'stoolate.• High-levelagencyinvolvement.
INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED
• Historyofstakeholderpointsofcontentionbetweenstakeholdergroupsregardingissuesandsolutions.
• Publicexpectations,communicationtactics,andcommunitysurveys.• Willingnessofagenciestostayinvolvedatahighlevel.
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WHATOTHERISSUESSHOULDTHECABEXPLORE
10. WhatotherissuesdoyoubelievetheCABshouldexplore:OthercriticalissueswereidentifiedintheABSIStakeholderAssessmentReport.ThemembersaverageratingforeachcriticalissueislistedbelowinorderofthemosttoleastcriticalIssues.
a. PoliticsandmanagingtheABS.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 10 5 0 0 0 3.7 of4
b. Waterwars(ACF).VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 8 6 1 0 1 3.4of4
Larvae/spat/spawning.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 9 3 1 0 1 3.4of4
Ecosystembenefitsofoysters.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 7 7 1 0 0 3.4of4
c. ABSI:thegetsomethingdoneproject.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 5 6 1 0 3 3.3of4
Enforcementofregulations.
VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg4 3 2 1 0 6 6 2 0 0 3.3of4
d. ShiftinCommunityPerspectivesonthehealthofApalachicolaBay.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 7 3 2 1 2 3.2 of4
e. Damsandstorage.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 4 8 2 0 1 3.1of4
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WaterqualityintheABS.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 6 5 4 0 0 3.1 of4
f. ClimatechangeandABSI.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 6 3 6 0 0 3.0of4
g. HurricaneMichaelandresiliencyintheABS.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 2 6 6 1 0 2.6of4
h. BobSikesCut.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 1 5 7 0 2 2.5of4
i. DredgingandflushingtheBay.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 2 5 5 1 1 2.4of4
j. Impactsofsilviculture(afterHurricaneMichael)andupstreamagriculture.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 1 3 8 2 0 2.2of4
k. DeepWaterHorizonSpill.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 2 3 5 5 0 2.1of4
Comments• Modelingforsuitable/bestlocationsforrestorationofreefsmustalsotieineffectsfrom
climateeffect(sealevel,temps,salinity)togaugeshort,near,long-termrestoration/managementplan.
• Pleasestopusingacronyms.Italienatesthepublicespeciallyiftheyarealreadyhesitanttotrust.
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V. CRITICALABSIDATAANDSCIENCEAREASANDGAPSMembersratedhowcriticaltheybelievedarethefollowingscienceareasandgapsthatwereidentifiedintheStakeholderAssessmentreport.Theareasandgapsarelistedinorderofmosttoleastcriticalreflectedintheaverageratingforeach. A. ABSI data gaps and concerns with access to science. Coordination of data. Insufficient monitoring data. Oyster bar mapping. VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 8 5 1 0 1 3.5of4
Comment:• Abigprobleminourbasinhasbeenafailuretoagreeuponcommonlyaccepteddata,
methodsandmodels.Weneedagooddatabaseeasilyaccessibleandavailabletoall.Perhapsa"dashboard"forourwebsite.
B. Research on rebuilding reefs. VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 9 5 1 0 0 3.5of4
C. Restoration research. VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 8 7 1 0 0 3.4of4
D. Research on larval transport and spat survival. VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 8 6 0 1 1 3.4of4
E. Research to establish thresholds for sustainable harvest. VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 8 7 1 0 0 3.4of4
F. Research on upstream impacts on the Bay. VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 5 10 1 0 0 3.25of4
G. Modeling and quantitative tools to analyze management strategies. Research to establish thresholds for sustainable harvest. VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 7 3 4 0 1 3.2of4
Comment:
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• Shouldincludesomeactualdatacollectiontoinformrestorationeffortsandothermanagementactions/interventions.Dataareneededalsoforassessmentofactionsandtoguideanynecessaryadjustments.Actualdataareanessentialcomplementtomodels.
H. Research on oysters and freshwater flow. VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 6 7 3 0 0 3.2of4
I. Research on the ABS collapse. VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 6 7 1 2 0 3.1of4
J. Research on climate and rising sea levels. VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg
4 3 2 1 0 2 6 8 0 0 2.6of4
MemberGeneralComments:• Thereisasenseofurgencyto"dosomething."Researchisimportant.However,the
"action"ofFloridatakingstepsfortheoverallhealthandrecoveryoftheApalachicolaRiverandBayareneeded.Lesstalkmoreactionis
• Needtothoroughlyandobjectivelyknowhowwegotherebeforewecanproceed,alltheaboveinformationisveryimportantforthat.
• Moveforward.Don'tspendalotoftimeonresearchthatisnotdirectlyrelatedtothesituation.Publicalreadybelievesthebayhasbeen"studiedtodeath"andnooneknowswhatishappeningSTILL.
• IbelievewehavetheresearchthatbacksupFlorida'sneedsregardingthewaterintheACFsystem.Thisjustneedstobebroughttolightonthelargerstage.
• Moreresearchneedstobefocusedonjuvenileoystersurvivalandrecruitmentandonoysterreefstructuralstabilityovertime.Let'snotspendourtimeandmoneyduplicatingresearchthathasalreadybeendone.
VI. LOOKINGFORWARD:ENVISIONINGASUCCESSFULFUTUREFORTHEAPALACHICOLABAYSYSTEMIN2030
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A. AVERYUNDESIRABLEFUTUREFORABSIN2030
MemberswereaskedtodescribewhataveryundesirablefuturewouldlooklikeforApalachicolaBaySystem.
AVERYUNDESIRABLEPICTUREOFAPOSSIBLEFUTUREFORTHEAPALACHICOLABAYSYSTEM
ListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponsesCollapsedfisheriesandreefsystemwithnosignofrecoveryinthebay(11)BaydeclineduetochangingconditionsnotpredictedandlossoffishinglifestyleinApalachicola(6)Unsustainabledevelopmentduetolackofrecoveryofoysterharvestingandthereefecosystem(6)Bayhabitatdegradedandfragmented(2)Povertyandunemployment(1)Commercialdredgingresumes(1)Upstreamagriculturalirrigationcontinuestoexpand(1)
MemberswereaskedtodescribewhataveryundesirablefuturewouldlooklikeforApalachicolaBaySystem.Collapsedfisheriesandreefsystemwithnosignofrecoveryinthebay• Collapsedfisheries.• NosignsofrecoveryintheoysterecosystemintheBay.• Restoredreefsnotresilient,inthewronglocations.• Oysterfisherynotproductive;ecosystemserviceswaydownduetolackofsustainable
oysterhabitatnegativelyimpactingwaterquality,otherfisheries,etc.• Nowildcaughtoysters,shrimp,orfish.Havingtosay,“Rememberthewayitwas?”• Nooysters.• Weseeashiftinthespeciesthatareusingthebay.Oystersarefewandfarbetween.• TheBayisdead.Morepeopleleave.• TheBaywouldcontinuetohavereducedfreshwaterflows,nutrientloadingwouldbecome
anissueanddevelopmentwouldfurtherimpactwaterqualityandquantity.• TheBayissameasnow.
BaydeclineduetochangingconditionsnotpredictedandlossoffishinglifestyleinApalachicola• Baycontinuestodecline.• Changingconditionsinsystemnotmodeledorpredicted.• CrashorunrecoveredsystemandlossoftheruralfishinglifestyleinApalachicola.• Anunproductivebay.• Deadbay.• Becauseofrisingtemperaturesandthereductionofnumbersofnightsbelowfreezing,we
seetheestablishmentofmorenativeandnon-nativespeciessuchasmangroves.
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Unsustainabledevelopmentduetolackofrecoveryofoysterharvestingandthereefecosystem• EastpointlookslikeminiDestin.FranklinCountybecomes"homogenized"andlookslike
othercoastalcommunities/losesitscharacterwhichincludesourworkingwaterfront.• Lackofrecoveryofoysterbarsleadingtoincreaseddevelopmentduetolanduserules
beingchanged,manyarerelatedtooysterharvestingneeds.• Populationgrowthexpandslandconversionfromfarmandforestlands.• OurestuariesandthecoastlooklikemuchoftherestofFloridawithhighdensityandhigh-
risedevelopment.• OverdevelopmentlikeeverywhereelseinFlorida.• Ifwestayonthepathweareon,wewillgettowherewearegoing.
Bayhabitatdegradedandfragmented• Thenaturalresourcesinthebasinaredegradedandfragmentedbeyondeventodayslevels.• Degradedhabitats.
Povertyandunemployment• Widespreadpovertyinaffectedcoastalcommunities.
Commercialdredgingresumes• Commercialdredgingfora9x100footchannelisresumed.
Upstreamagriculturalirrigationcontinuestoexpand• Agriculturalirrigationconsumptiveusecontinuestoexpand.
B.ENVISIONASUCCESSFULFUTUREFORTHEABSIN2030Memberswereaskedtoenvisionasuccessfulfuturein2030inwhicheverythingisgoingrightforahealthyApalachicolaBaysystem.Amanagementandrestorationplanisbeingfunded,implementedandmeetingitstargets.Theywereaskedtodescribewhatthisidealfuturewouldlooklikebyansweringthefollowingquestions:1. It's2030.YouaredraftingacolumnfortheApalachicolaTimesonthestellar
accomplishmentsinimprovingthehealthoftheApalachicolaBaysystemandthemanagementandrestorationplanthatisbeingfundedandimplemented.Whatwouldbetheheadline?
Memberswerethenaskedtoenvisionasuccessfulfuturein2030inwhicheverythingisgoingrightforahealthyApalachicolaBaysystem.Amanagementandrestorationplanisbeingfunded,implementedandmeetingitstargets.
SUCCESSHEADLINES-2030-APALACHICOLATIMESThe Bay is coming back!
Our Bay is back to the good old days. Apalachicola Bay Recovers!
Good times ahead for restoration effort and improved Bay management!
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ACF Group meets in Apalachicola to Celebrate 10 years of recovery. Incremental steps trending in a positive direction regarding Bay recovery in 2030. Community sees real benefits from long-range science-based sustainability plan.
Healthy and resilient Apalachicola Bay System supports commercial fishing, aquaculture and tourism businesses.
Oysters are Back! Oysters are again very abundant in the Bay.
The Billion Oyster Project launched as the Apalachicola recovery proceeds. Oyster harvests reach record levels over $8 million mark as Bay recovers supplying
major markets in the Northeast. Memberresponses:• ApalachicolaBayRecovers!Theoystersareback.Fishandotherspeciesareontherise.
Climatechangeispro-activelyaddressed.We'reALLworkingtogethertoprotecttheBay(akintotheChesapeakeBayrecovery).
• Oystersareback!Thewaterflowisbackandfisheriesarethriving.• TheBayiscomingback.• OurBayisbacktothegoodolddays.• GoodtimesaheadforRestorationeffortandimprovedBaymanagement!Afteradecade
ofdedicatedrestorationeffortandimprovedmanagement,theApalachicolaBaySystemisreapingbigrewards.Thewaterinthebayiscleanandproductive,fishandoystersareabundantandwaterfrontcommunitiesareprosperous.
• CommunitySeesRealBenefitsfromlong-rangescience-basedSustainabilityPlan.Developedwithkeystakeholdersandregionalscientists,anoysterfisheryisonceagainemergingasoneofthemostproductiveinthestateafteradecadeofstudyingandimplementingascience-basedrestorationandmanagementplan.Nowtherearemorehealthyoysterreefsinthebaythananytimeintherecentpastfewdecadeswitharobustandcloselymonitoredmanagementplantocurtailoverfishingandtoenhanceecosystemservicesprovidedbythereefs.
• ACFGroupmeetsinApalachicolatoCelebrate10yearsofrecovery.TheApalachicolaBaySystemInitiative’scontinuingsuccessintheongoingrecoverybolsteredbyresearchonoystersistheheadlineforthequarterlymeetinginApalachicolaoftheACFTransboundaryWaterManagementInstitutioncreatedbystakeholders,universitiesandagenciesintheACFsystem.ThemembersalwayslookforwardtocomingtoApalachicolatoenjoysomeoftheworld'sfinestfreshoystersandseafoodandtoinsuretheseresourcesareavailableandsharedthroughouttheACFbasin.Theworkandcollaborationofthisinstitutionandthesestakeholdershasturnedaroundwhatlookedadecadeagoasadimfuture,andtodayhassavedthisAmericantreasurethatistheApalachicolaRiverandBay.
• Incrementalstepstrendinginapositivedirectionregardingbayrecoveryin2030.• Oysterharvestsreachrecordlevelsover$8millionmarkasbayrecoverssupplyingmajor
marketsintheNortheast,alongwithotherseafoodandrecreationharvestscreatinganeedforstricterwaterqualityrulesandlanduseregulations.ApalachicolaBayHarvestsexceed$8milliondollarmarknotseensince2012.ApalachicolaBayoystersonceagainsupplyingmajormarketsintheNortheast.
• Oystersareagainveryabundantinthebay.
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• TheBillionOysterProject-TherecoveryofApalachicolaBayinsupportofasustainablefishery.Multiplerestorationprojectshavebeenfundedandimplementedsynergistically.Adaptivemanagementhasaddressedchangingconditionslikefuturedroughts,reducedflowsandrisingseas.Aquaculturehashelpedfillthegapsasneeded.
• HealthyandResilientApalachicolaBaySystemSupportsCommercialFishing,AquacultureandTourismBusinesses.
2. Whatwouldthosemanaging,usingandenjoyingtheApalachicolaBaySystembedoingin
2030thatisdifferentfromwhattheyaredoingtoday?
2030--WHATTHOSEMANAGING,USINGANDENJOYINGTHEBAYAREDOINGDIFFERENTLYWorkingtogetherimplementingthecomprehensiverecoveryandmanagementplananddoingwhatisneeded.Oystersupplyfortheregion.Fullyfundedfisheriesresearch,monitoringandmanagement.RecognizingtheimportanceofoysterreefstotheBay’shealthandrecyclingshellsforreefs.Tupelohoneyisplentiful.
Memberresponses:Workingtogetherimplementingthecomprehensiverecoveryandmanagementplananddoingwhatisneeded.• We'dbeimplementingacomprehensiverecoveryandmanagementplanforthe
ApalachicolaRiverSystem,nothopingforone.• OverseenbyafullyfunctioningBayManagementCommitteethatismutuallyrespectfuland
anindustrythatisself-policingandunderstandsthevalueofworkingtogetherforthelongterm.
• Payingattentionanddoingwhatisneeded.• Workingcollaborativelyandrespectingeachpieceofthemanagementpuzzle(regulations,
closures,novelrestoration).• Worktogetherwithsupportandresourcesfromthestate.
Oystersupplyfortheregion.• Catchingoysters.• Supplyingtheregionwithfreshwild(andfarmed)oysters.• LimitedharvestofoystersisresuminginselectportionsoftheBaythataredoingwell.• We'dbeeatingfreshoystersfromApalachicolaBayandnotpaying$100/bag.
Fullyfundedfisheriesresearch,monitoringandmanagement.• Relatedfisheriesthrivingbutalsomonitoredandmanagedclosely.• Fullyfundedresearchandmonitoringofsustainabilityofharvestregulationsandrules,with
modificationsbeingmadeasneeded.
Recognizingtheimportanceofoysterreefstothebay’shealthandrecyclingshellsforreefs.• Recognizingtheimportanceofoysterreefsforecosystemneeds.• Returningmostoftheshellremovedtothebay.
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Tupelohoneyisplentiful.• Tupelohoneywouldbe$10/quart,not$40. C. ABSIVISIONTHEMESBasedonthemember’sresponsesforsuccessin2030,theylistedanykeyvisionthemesorelementsofthedesiredfuturefortheABSin2030.
SUMMARYOFVISIONOFSUCCESSTHEMESFROMQUESTIONNAIRE1. Science-based,fundedrecoveryplanofactionandprogramsupportedbythecommunity.2. ImprovedandsustainablefisherymanagementtoaidinBayrecovery.3. HealthyBayEcosystem.4. Communityoutreach,education,supportandengagement.5. Economicsupportandjobstomaintaintheruralfishinglifestylethroughtourismandthe
seafood/aquacultureindustries.6. Sustainableandresilientcoastaldevelopmentconsistentwiththeruralfishinglifestyle.
Memberresponses:Science-basedfundedrecoveryplanofactionandprogram.
• Lesstalkmoreaction.Let'stakerealstepstorecovertheBay.• Inclusive,collaborative,wellsupportedandfundedcomprehensiveplansand
implementation.Adaptivemanagementtochangewhenneeded.• Science-basedmanagementanddecisionmaking.• Sciencebasedrecoveryprogram.• Consistentsourceoffundsforshellrecycling,scienceandmanagement,monitoring,and
enforcementasfisheriesareharmonized.• Addressingchangetocircumstancesoutofourcontrol,suchasinfrastructuretoaddress
sealevelriseandlowerflows.
Improvedandsustainablefisherymanagementtoaidinbayrecovery.• Improvedfisherymanagement.• Thrivingfisheries.• Sustainablefishery.• LIMITEDharvestresuming(meaningithasbeenclosedforasignificantperiodto
determinethatthebayisinasignificantrecoverymode).• Commercialharvestofover500,000bushelsperyear.
HealthyBayecosystem.
• Healthyecosystem.• Vastoysterecosystem,highnaturalproductivity,somereefspermanentlypurposefully
unexploited.• Improvedwaterqualityandfreshwaterdelivery,restoredhabitats.• SustainedorimprovedWQ,morenaturalFWflowsduringappropriateseasons,either
naturalorassistedfisheriesrecovery.
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Communityoutreach,education,awareness,supportandengagement.• Outreachandeducationtobringourfellowcitizensalonganduptospeed.• Communitysupportandengagementinsustainabilityplan.• EnhancedcommunityawarenessofBayconditionsthroughmonitoringand
education/outreach.
Economicsupportandjobstomaintaintheruralfishinglifestylethroughtourismandtheseafood/aquacultureindustries.
• Healthyresilientsupportfortourismandseafood/aquacultureindustries;maintenanceofruralfishinglifestyle.
Sustainableandresilientcoastaldevelopmentconsistentwiththeruralfishinglifestyle.• Sustainablecoastaldevelopmentandresilienceplanning.
VII. OTHERCOMMENTS
• Thanksfortheopportunitytoparticipatehere. • Produceaplanandbodytooverseewithoutthefundsdisappearingintoaprofessor's
researchnevertobeunderstoodbythelargerpublic. • Icoulddomorehere,butthisisallthetimeIhavefornow,andI'mfallingasleep.Idon't
thinkwe'llsavethebaybyjusttryingtosavethebay.IntheFloridaSpringsInitiativewepromotedthephrase,"toprotectthewatersyoumustfirstprotecttheland."Toparaphrasethat,"toprotecttheApalachicolaBayyoumustalsoprotecttheApalachicolaandChipolaRiverSystemandtheChattahoocheeandtheFlint,theACF.Ithinkthat'swhyI'monthisadvisoryboard,tobringthatperspectivetothetable.I'lldowhatIcanandlookforwardtothiswork.
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ABSICOMMUNITYADVISORYBOARDMEMBERPRE-MEETINGQUESTIONNAIRESUMMARY
Membersresponding Membersunabletorespond1. GeorgiaAkerman2. LeeEdmiston3. JimEstes4. TomFraser5. AnitaGrove6. ChadHanson7. JennaHarper8. ErikLovestrand9. ChuckMarks10. VanceMillender11. MikeO’Connell12. BeckyPrado13. StevenRash14. PortiaSapp15. JohnSolomon16. ChadTaylor
• ChipBailey• FrankGidus• ShannonHartsfield• KevinLandry• SmokeyParrish• PaulThurman• T.J.Ward