Aquaculture Basics
This word means farming aquatic organisms like fish, shrimp, or plants.
→ What is aquaculture?
This is Florida’s official state saltwater fish, known for its speed.
→ What is the sailfish?
These underwater habitats are built by tiny animals and are very important to Florida’s coast.
→ What are coral reefs?
Florida has over 7,000 of these natural freshwater bodies.
→ What are lakes?
This Florida agency manages fish and wildlife resources.
→ What is the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)?
Florida is one of the top producers of this popular aquarium fish that is often orange and kept in bowls.
→ What is a goldfish?
This popular freshwater sportfish in Florida is known for its large mouth.
→ What is the largemouth bass?
These underwater grasses provide habitat for fish and help prevent erosion.
→ What are seagrasses?
This underground water source supplies much of Florida’s drinking water.
→ What is the aquifer?
These are rules that limit how many fish you can catch.
→ What are bag limits?
This type of water contains salt and is used to grow marine species.
→ What is saltwater?
This invasive species in Florida’s waters has red stripes and venomous spines.
→ What is the lionfish?
This ecosystem is found between land and water and includes plants like mangroves.
→ What is a wetland?
These natural freshwater openings allow groundwater to flow to the surface.
→ What are springs?
Protecting species so they do not disappear forever is called this.
→ What is conservation?
Farm-raised fish are often grown in ponds, tanks, or these floating structures in open water.
→ What are cages or net pens?
This fish is commonly farmed in Florida and often used in fish sandwiches.
→ What is tilapia?
This large marine mammal found in Florida springs eats seagrass and is protected.
→ What is a manatee?
Runoff from farms and cities can cause this problem in lakes, leading to algae blooms.
→ What is pollution or nutrient runoff?
Restoring oysters helps improve this important water quality factor.
→ What is water filtration / water clarity?
This is the main reason aquaculture is important for the environment and food supply.
→ What is producing seafood sustainably / reducing pressure on wild fish?
This crustacean is heavily harvested in the Florida Keys and has no large front claws.
→ What is the spiny lobster?
This famous South Florida ecosystem is often called the “River of Grass.”
→ What is the Everglades?
This process removes salt from seawater to make it drinkable.
→ What is desalination?
Using resources in a way that meets today’s needs without harming future generations is called this.
→ What is sustainability?