Cedar Key is now one of the most productive clam-farming regions in the U.S. “It took us a few years to learn the do’s and don’ts of clam farming, and we had to go through three or four farming cycles to get a commercial- sized harvest,” says Dan Solano, who started his clam business, Cedar Key Aquaculture Farms Inc., in 1992. Watch Queue Queue The claims about the clams in Cedar Key vary with some proclaiming that 95% of all farmed clams in the US come from the waters around this small town. Southern Cross Sea Farms: Who knew? The owner who clearly is passionate about his work does an excellent job of describing how the farming saved so many fishermen in Cedar Key who had lost their livelihood after a certain type of net was banned. Cedar Key Everlasting is the story of Cedar Key, its people, and its world-class clam farming aquaculture. Others make a more modest claim that 95% of all Florida clams come from Cedar Key. Focused on farming. Cedar Key is home to the George T. Lewis Airport (CDK). Clam farming? Most of the developed area of the city has been on Way Key since the end of the 19th century. The owner who clearly is passionate about his work does an excellent job of describing how the farming saved so many fishermen in Cedar Key who had lost their livelihood after a certain type of net was banned. Home / Scenic / Clam farming. Watch Queue Queue. 100 + Jobs supported by clam farming $ 10 M. Economic impact of cultured clams. The town also has several museums, art galleries, shops, and seafood restaurants. It helps, she said, that Cedar Key has the right salinity and water quality for clam and oyster farming, and the retraining programs gave fishermen a head start. Clam aquaculture leases in the shallow Gulf near Cedar Key were surveyed and marked. Training program graduates obtained state clam farm areas. But if you come to Cedar Key - you can sample clams at any restaurant in town or my favorite - pick some up to take back to where you're staying and cook them yourself. 352-543-5980 Southern Cross Sea Farms 12170 SR 24 Cedar Key, FL 32625 Hatchery Tours (It's a whole ClamLife tour) Tours Suspended Until Further Notice Cedar Key quickly became Florida’s top clam producer, the source of 90 percent of the clams harvested in the state. The system, with compressor and fans, was used in Cedar Key to ease the lot of malaria patients. The largest is a steamer clam often referred to as a topneck. Cedar Key is a modern-day fairytale; it has climbed high after hitting rock bottom. When harvested, Cedar Key clams are named according to size. Clam farming. Have any questions? Since Florida banned gill nets 20 years ago, University of Florida researchers have helped Cedar Key replace commercial fishing with aquaculture. A commercial clam boat is ready to head out on an overcast morning in Cedar Key… By S. Deam | 2017-01-26T16:21:59-05:00 October 24th, 2013 | Clam farming | Clam farmers of Cedar Key Cedar Key clams account for 90 percent of the production in Florida. In between are littleneck and middleneck sizes. We want you to know that Cedar Key Seafarms does not practice that kind of aquaculture. Super interesting tour of clam farming from seeding to ready to ship. 1 M. Oysters produced in 2018. Leases are 10-year term and renewable with an initial application […] This video was created in response to the numerous inquiries we've received expressing concern as to how Hurricane Hermine affected the farm-raised clam industry in Cedar Key… Located directly on the Gulf of Mexico, Cedar Key is known for its natural beauty, magnificent sunsets, excellent fishing, boating, and kayaking. Capt. Clam farming has enabled Cedar Key to continue with an industry connected to the sea. Now she gets 7 cents, but over half of what she and her husband, University of Florida | IFAS Shellfish Aquaculture Research & Extension Not long after calm farming became an industry in Cedar Key bags of clams became the targets of thieves. Contact Us. In fact, our clam and oyster farming is 100% natural and environmentally sustainable. - See 53 traveler reviews, 20 candid photos, and great deals for Cedar Key, FL, at Tripadvisor. Cedar Key Tourism Cedar Key Hotels Cedar Key Bed and Breakfast Cedar Key Vacation Rentals Cedar Key Vacation Packages Flights to Cedar Key Cedar Key Restaurants Things to Do in Cedar Key Cedar Key Travel Forum Cedar Key Photos Cedar Key Map Cedar Key Travel Guide All Cedar Key Hotels; Cedar Key Hotel Deals; By Hotel Type Cedar Key Motels She said no one expected the industry to do as well as it has. Cedar Key Everlasting $ 2 M. Sales Value of FL cultured shellfish. Community and industry leaders were interviewed this summer and are featured in a story entitled When a Town’s Industry Shuts Down, Does the World Have to […] The Cedar Key clam farming industry is receiving widespread attention as the University of Florida selected its story to showcase in their new campaign – For the Gator Good. A local museum exhibit displays a reproduction of one of the first air conditioning installations. Cedar Key clams account for 90 percent of the production in Florida. Until 2018, Gretchen and Ian had never seen a clam farm or heard of Cedar Key, Florida. I like to use littlenecks for … Cedar Key has a year-round population of fewer than 1000 people and its primary industry is clam farming. Acquiring a Lease Molluscan shellfish (hard clams and oysters) are primarily grown in estuarine or inshore coastal waters on submerged lands leased from the State of Florida. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Division of Aquaculture administers the shellfish aquaculture lease program. Very small, 1/4” thick clams are called a pastaneck clams by some fisheries. The Cedar Key clam farming industry received widespread attention when National Public Radio (NPR) broadcasted a story entitled Forced To Put Its Nets Away, One Florida Town Clams Up – Literally.. NPR reporter Greg Allen introduced the story: “For more than 150 years, Cedar Key has been an important fishing community. A transition to clam aquaculture as an alternative opportunity for local fisherman was facilitated through a federally funded job-retraining program passed during that same time period. For a unique Cedar Key adventure, hop aboard the workboat of clammer Bobby Witt to visit a working clam farm. Several methods of stopping clam theft have been tried, but only one method appears to work, that is an organized and persistent patrol of clam leases. 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