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petemosss
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Posted: Wed May 7th, 2008 12:53 pm |
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What is the status of Brian and Snapperfarm. The last post I read from last year said they were moving. Doesn't say much on their website. Things looked pretty good on National Geographhic last week.
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Hillman
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Posted: Wed May 7th, 2008 03:08 pm |
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They are shutting down operations due to not receiving all permits. I just happened to be there this morning as they were hauling in some of the dismantled frames from the sea. Thats Brian on the dock by the forklift.
Attachment: FishFarmCrew.JPG (Downloaded 122 times) Last edited on Wed May 7th, 2008 03:09 pm by Hillman
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admin
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Posted: Wed May 7th, 2008 04:01 pm |
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my heart is so saddened by this chapter.....and I just pray that the necessary permits are forthcoming quickly, and Snapperfarm can continue it's Culebra operations. In the meantime, they are at the forefront of the industry, and have operations in other parts of the world.
Hopefully Brian will chime in here with a more detailed explanation.....I know there will be a letter in the next Calendar explaining more of the hard decision Brian and his partners were forced to make.
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petemosss
Member
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Posted: Wed May 7th, 2008 05:23 pm |
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That is very disheartening to hear. I haven't been to Culebra since Brian started but have thought what a great green business addition to Culebra it is. It seemed to accomplish things on many different levels.
It's a travesty that the latest chapter of this isn't included In the National Geographic Oceans piece thats getting heavy play. Perhaps things would have a different outcome.
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Diving Debbie
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Posted: Thu May 8th, 2008 12:05 am |
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| Sad, indeed. I had hoped that would be my second career.
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Jim
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Posted: Thu May 8th, 2008 02:55 pm |
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There will be a meeting with community elders to
review Brian's options and the options of the Island.
The Snapperfarm project was successful by the hard
work and inspiration of Brian and the dedication of many
locals who worked and enthusiastically supported the
project, notably the Culebra Fishermens Assoc.
The idea of having the Snapperfarm project continue
at a minumum as a research center is in everyones
interest, but it must be integrated with tourism to
have a broad impact on our economy. At the same time
it would be a great Public Relations Vehicle for the
Fish Farming Industry and Snapperfarm.
The mindset of the Island has always been cautious yet
progressive, e.g. The Luis Peña Marine Reserve.
The principal and inherent interest of the Island is
Tourism, proper sustainable eco type tourism.
In this global-warming-green consciousness we are
perfectly poised for success.
Taking the time to understand and evaluate the dynamics
of our tourist base will yield tremendous opportunities
for all parties involved. If you have any experience in
Culebra Tourism you will understand the incredible
resource our tourists are just by their nature, scientists,
university professors, media executives, doctors,
lawyers, govt types, the list goes on. all of them capable
of spreading the message of the Culebra enigma to their
friends and communities.
The enigma, that an Island so unpretentious has somehow
saved itself from overdevelopment, maintained its
smalltown ways and yet is perfectly poised to make major
contributions to the world.
The culebrense type of stewardship has proven itself over
and over again.
____________________
"The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness." -- John Kenneth Galbraith
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Snapperfarm
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Posted: Fri May 9th, 2008 12:52 pm |
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I truely appreciate everyone's support and concern. While I would love to maintain limited operations for educational and tourism purposes, the simple fact is that it will cost tens of thousand of dollars a month (between labor, fuel, supplies and materials, insurance, maintenance, lease payments, etc) to just maintain one cage in the water without fish in it. We have already removed two cages, and the third is a prototype that is owned by the cage company Ocean Farm Technologies. That cage will stay in the water until July to complete engineering tests.
The regulatory struggle is nation wide, not just in Puerto Rico. The only other state to grant this type of permit is Hawaii (2 commercial farms permitted there, not much bigger than ours), and the only reason things a working in Hawaii is because of specific state laws (that were just passed a few years ago) that regulate the industry. Just about all coastal states, including Puero Rico don't have defined regulations for aquaculture. While the most advanced technology is developed in the US, it has been lagging just about all other nations in aquaculture commercilization. Currently about 85% of the seafood consumed in the US is imported and 50% is farm raised. Almost all from forein sources. Consumption is expected to more than double in the US by 2020. Pardon my french, but the s*** is going to hit the fan. We have no other choice than to develop a domestic industry.
While I am personally working on other projects around the world and have been for a long time, Snapperfarm remains based in Culebra. The company is not moving, just temporarily discontinuing operations until the regulatory climate is better for business.
The bottom line is that the numbers just don't work at the scale we have been working at. We need the permits to expand an economically viable business, and with that we would be in a much better position to be more involved in education, toursim and other positives for the island. The most we can ask of Culebra right now is to remain supportive and look forward to a full scale restart in the future.
Thank you all very much.
Sincerely
Brian O'Hanlon
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Doug
Charter Member
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Posted: Fri May 9th, 2008 03:47 pm |
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Brian,
What are the regulatory issues? I'd love to educate myself to advocate for you and your industry. Is this something that would benefit from federal mandates to the states and commomwealth? If so, I'd be pleased to write my representaive and senators.
Doug
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Dennis Miller, on the Pee Wee Herman public outcry.
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Jim
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Posted: Sat May 10th, 2008 02:04 am |
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I think all of this proves the reason and purpose
for a meeting, so that interested parties who
initially supported the Snapperfarm project
through its ups and downs are given an opportunity
to express their concerns and ideas.
Culebra's greatest public relations resource is the
ability to attract like-minded activists from all over.
Culebra's greater community branches literally
throughout the world.
The Culebrenses didn't save the Island from the
Navy by themselves, they did it with friends they
attracted through their determination and the
merit of their cause. To tap into that base you
need to start at the root, the local community.
Local support with contagious enthusiasm can move
mountains. In the case of the Navy it was a proud
people declaring their rights to peace and freedom
from an outrageous occupation and the destruction
of an incredibly beautiful tropical paradise.
Very soon we will all be in the position of guessing
what went wrong or knowing why things went right.
There is a right way to move forward, whether
Snapperfarm stays or not, that way involves the
community being a part of the decision. We were
asked for our blessing at the inception, we have a
stake in the outcome. maybe we can help.
"Where there is a will, there is a way. If there is a
chance in a million that you can do something,
anything, to keep what you want from ending,
do it. Pry the door open or, if need be, wedge
your foot in that door and keep it open."
Pauline Kael
First there must be the will.Last edited on Sat May 10th, 2008 02:13 am by Jim
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"The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness." -- John Kenneth Galbraith
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Jim
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Posted: Sat May 10th, 2008 08:33 am |
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And on the low tech side:
"The Japanese have developed a process for
free ranching marine fish or sea ranching.
The principle is based on behavioral conditioning
and the migratory nature of certain species of
marine fish.
The fishermen first raise fish hatchlings in a closely
knitted net in a harbor. They sound an underwater
horn before each feeding. When the young fish are old
enough they are freed from the net to mature in the
open sea.
During spawning season, about 80% of these
fish return to their birthplace. The fishermen harvest
the fish by sounding the horn and then raising the net.
Here we could "sound" a conch?Attachment: aquaculture_pond.jpg (Downloaded 54 times)
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"The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness." -- John Kenneth Galbraith
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Island Woman MJ
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Posted: Sat May 10th, 2008 12:35 pm |
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Brian,
Thanks for the detailed (and I'm sure painful on more than a few levels) explanation. You know you have your cheerleading section here who want whatever makes Snapperfarm work and we'll all be hoping, waiting and doing whatever you suggest so in the future you can *bring it on home*.
Keep us informed as to what's happening. Curiousity won't kill this cat (who happens to lust after cobia sashimi, as you well know!)
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