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Aquaculture is the fastest growing area of agriculture in the world today, Aquaculture is the farming and husbandry of aquatics animals and plants. Aquaculture farms may make use of lakes, rivers, and oceans. They may also be found on land, in rural areas and even in the hearts of major cities.
Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms. These organisms could be fish, crustaceans (shellfish /
lobsters, crawfish, shrimp, oysters, etc.) and aquatic plants. Farming is a process followed to enhance production, such as regular stocking feeding protection from predators, etc.
Aquaculture is done by cultivating freshwater and saltwater populations under controlled conditions. It can be contrasted with commercial, which is the harvesting of wild fish.
Fish farming is the most common form of aqua farming which involves raising fish in ponds, tanks, etc. Fish farming is usually done for food. The main species that are used in fish farming are carp, salmon, tilapia
and catfish.
To become the leader providing support and opportunities for minority owned businesses nationwide in the industry of aquaculture, the world’s fastest growing form of food production.
The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, leads federal government efforts to promote the growth and global competitiveness of America’s growing Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) community.
The MBE Aquaculture Program led by the partnership between FSMSDC and SRMSDC is a nationwide program focused on training, consultation, business capacity, growth assistance, education and mentor-ship in the field, while facilitating immediate business opportunities to Minority Business Enterprises within the aquaculture industry
Identify minority owned firms that have an interest in aquaculture as an area of growth. Also, identify prime companies with which these MBEs could be matched or mentored.
MBEs will be paired with aquaculture research experts from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School and NxT Horizon to assist in planning, research, access to a variety of courses and resources in person or online.
Aquaculture Business assessment, financial and business plans; as well as identify major corporations purchasing seafood to create innovative opportunities.
The Aquaculture Program at the University of Miami’s (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science is one of the leading programs in the country; and are participating as a program sub-contractor. The UM program also serves as consultants to hatcheries and grow out facilities world-wide. In addition, they provide commercial quantities of juvenile fish for industry partners. The goal is to pair companies with aquaculture research experts to assist in planning, research, seminars, and events.
Program Director
Ag Tech & Aquaponics Expert
Special Consultant, MBE Aquaculture program
Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr. is a 40 year seasoned professional in aquaculture (the farming and husbandry of aquatic animals and plants) including one of the more recently introduced aquaculture technologies, aquaponics. His background includes, business management, aquaculture system and farm design, Agtech/Agrifood Tech, strategic planning, urban planning, transformational leadership, disruptive innovation, supplier diversity, urban water use, constructed wetland waste treatment and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Science) education.