When raising aquatic species for commercial sale, you are required to obtain an Aquaculture Certificate of Registration from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) annually.
The certificate authorizes production and sale of aquaculture products. It identifies your aquaculture products as cultured products and identifies you as an aquaculturist. It entitles you to the same benefits bestowed on other agricultural producers, including tax benefits, and reduces the number of permits you’ll need from other agencies.
Application and Fees
All applicants must agree to comply with
Aquaculture Best Management Practices
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.
Certificates expire on June 30 of each year. The fee to apply for or renew a certificate is $100.
How to Apply for an Aquaculture Certificate of Registration
- Apply for an Aquaculture Certificate of Registration via our online portal. You may also open and then download an application [ Adobe PDF Document ] to your local device, or you can request an application be mailed to you by contacting FDACS at (850) 617-7600 or Aquaculture_Certificate@FDACS.gov. If not submitting an application via the online portal, all physical applications, along with your proof of training (if applicable) must be mailed to FDACS, P.O. Box 6710, Tallahassee, Florida 32314-6710.
- The $100 application fee may be paid via electronic check or credit card through the online portal. Checks or money orders may also be mailed to: FDACS, P.O. Box 6710, Tallahassee, Florida 32314-6710.
- If you list marine shellfish (clams, oysters, scallops) as a product on your application, each person listed on the application must complete the Shellfish Harvester Education Training. At the end of the course, a certificate of completion will be issued as proof of training. Provide a copy of the training certificate(s) with your application.
- For new certificates, applicants must submit a facility plan, which includes the following:
- A construction plan and associated timeline,
- Species production plan and associated timeline, and
- A description detailing the implementation of appropriate Aquaculture Best Management Practices.
See our
Aquaculture Certificate of Registration Fact Sheet
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for details.
Once your application has been received, FDACS staff will contact you to schedule an initial site inspection and go over your facility plan and applicable Best Management Practices.
How Long It Takes to Receive Your Certificate
An Aquaculture Certificate of Registration can usually be issued three to four weeks after a complete application has been received, an initial site inspection is completed, and all required plans and documents have been received and approved.
Required Training
All Aquaculture Certificate of Registration applicants who list marine shellfish (clams, oysters, scallops) as a product on their application must complete Shellfish Harvester Education Training.
Shellfish Harvester Education allows Florida’s shellfish industry to meet National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) requirements for food safety training related to harvest and post-harvest handling approaches to minimize the growth of Vibrio and reduce the risk of consumer illness.
You may complete your training online or you may complete it in person at any of the following FDACS offices:
- Apalachicola Shellfish Center: (850) 653-8317
- Cedar Key Office: (352) 543-1084
- Melbourne Office: (321) 984-4890
- Panama City Office: (850) 236-2200
- Port Charlotte Office: (941) 613-0954
- Tallahassee Office: (850) 617-7600
Training Guidance
Refer to the following guidance documents as needed for Shellfish Harvester Education Training.
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Shellfish Harvester Education Training Online Course Access Guidance
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Shellfish Harvester Education Training Online Troubleshooting Guidance
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Aquaculture Certificate of Registration required if no products are sold?
No, FDACS does not regulate hobbyists or homeowners who grow aquatic species for personal use or consumption. Plants and animals that are listed as Restricted Species by FWC/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are not available for personal use.
What are the Aquaculture Best Management Practices?
Please review the
Aquaculture Best Management Practices Manual
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for more information. Best Management Practices cover effluent treatment, containment, shipment requirements and health requirements.
What are the regulations concerning the processing (icing or cutting) of aquatic products for human consumption?
The processing or selling of aquatic products as a food product may require a Food Permit from FDACS.
To operate an aquaculture facility, are any other licenses or permits needed beyond an Aquaculture Certificate of Registration?
Aquaculture facilities that use well water may need to acquire a consumptive use permit (CUP) from one of Florida's five water management districts. Please visit the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's website for more information.
Aquaculture activities are defined as point source dischargers under the Clean Water Act. If an aquaculture facility produces more than 100,000 pounds of product and discharges production-related water off the farm for more than 30 days per year, then a National Pollution Discharge Elimination Permit is required. Call (850) 617-7600 or email Aquaculture_Certificate@FDACS.gov for more information.
Depending on the scope of your aquaculture facility and local zoning, additional permits may be required.
