Florida Sturgeon Production Working Group

The Florida Sturgeon Production Working Group (FSPWG) was created by legislation F.S. 370.31 for the purpose of developing recommendations regarding the feasibility of commerical sturgeon production and stock enhancement.

The working group is composed of six members:

1. A designee of the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences
2. A representative from Department of Environmental Protection
3. A representative from Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
4. A representative from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
5. Two representatives from the aquaculture industry to be appointed by the Aquaculture Review Council

In carrying out the purpose of 370.31 F.S., the working group helped inititate the production of a State of Florida Sturgeon Production Management Plan. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) wrote a plan on "Implementation for the Commerical Culture and Conservation of Native Sturgeon in Florida." DEP collaborated on this plan with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission (now part of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), and the University of Florida in Gainesville.

In addition to sturgeon aquaculture and best management practices, the FSPWG is also responsible for the development of a cooperative sturgeon conservation program.