Tag: Ed Chiles
On Florida’s west coast increased development and pollution stress antiquated wastewater systems causing a release of inadequately treated water into rivers and streams; water runoff from storms carry nutrients across fertilized lawns and paved surfaces; all this water eventually ending in one place – the Gulf of Mexico – harming an already fragile ecosystem
A recent executive order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth potentially broadens markets for the Gulf seafood industry, as well as stirred controversy within the its seafood community.
A young clam farmer who “dabbles in oysters” is finding Florida aquaculture a challenging field with a host of potential minefields, especially Red Tide. For the past six years Carter Davis has farmed 16-acres in the waters off of Pine Island in Tampa Bay. Just when he thought he was getting the hang of it, Red Tide almost put his operation out of business.
The billion dollar question haunting the Gulf seafood industry, as well as fisheries across the U.S, is how domestic seafood can compete with imports when fish in the freezers or on the counters of almost every grocery store, and in the kitchen of almost every restaurant, comes from another country? Countries that often fail to impose any semblance of quality control or inspections.
Founded by settlers from North Carolina in the 1880’s, Cortez is one of the last historic Gulf waterfronts with a working commercial fishing village. A short walk from the Florida fishing fleet waiting to unload Gulf seafood is the Florida Maritime Museum, home to interpretive exhibits as well as an educational program studying the Florida waters.
An internationally recognized leader in sustainability has joined the board of the Gulf Seafood Foundation. Florida’s Ed Chiles, founder of The Chiles Group and son of former Florida Governor and Senator Lawton Chiles, has been a driving force for best sustainability practices in his Anna Maria Island community, his state, across the Gulf of Mexico and around the world.
Cleansing the waters of the Gulf of Mexico’s Tampa Bay using northern quahog clams to combat Florida Red Tide might seem a little “out there”, but “out there” has been the trademark of Ed Chiles, founder of The Chiles Group.
An Innovation Challenge open to individuals, institutions, governments, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit businesses to benefit Florida’s Gulf Coast communities, marine science industry, and Blue Economy has announced five finalists.
In the coastal village of Cortez, Ed Chiles has joined with business partner Seth Cripe to produces the country’s first European style artisan bottarga from the fish eggs of Gulf Grey Striped mullet. The gourmet cured mullet roe is sold at more than $100/lb. retail.
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