This week, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., toured Two Dock Shellfish, a local business specializing in growing clams and oysters.
Two Docks Shellfish is also deeply engaged in research to mitigate red tide and improve water quality on the Gulf Coast. Buchanan was joined by Manatee County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge on the tour.
“Red tide has wreaked havoc on marine life, our waters and the many businesses that rely on Florida’s tourism-based economy,” said Buchanan. “Two Docks Shellfish is not only putting fresh, local seafood on area residents’ dinner tables, but they are also helping filter and clean our water in the process. It’s encouraging to see a small business in our area working to make such a big difference in people’s everyday lives.”
Over the last several years, the Gulf Coast has experienced severe levels of red tide. Red tide is caused by toxin-producing algae that is extremely deadly to fish and other marine life and adversely affects tourism in the Suncoast region. In the 2022-2023 season, Manatee County cleared nearly 5 tons of dead fish and debris from area beaches due to the red tide outbreak.
Situated on the grounds of a former junkyard, Two Docks Shellfish has undergone extensive cleanup efforts and has established itself as an innovate oyster, clam and shellfish hatchery and aquaculture facility. Shellfish help with water filtration and nutrient reduction in our waters. Each middle neck clam grown at Two Docks Shellfish can filter up to 10 gallons of water per day and oysters can filter up to 50 gallons each.
Two Docks Shellfish is also collaborating with Mote Marine to create a safe and efficient method for harvesting and processing shellfish that would otherwise be left in the water during red tide blooms. Additionally, they are also working with the University of Florida and the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole to identify species of marine macroalgae that can be cultured in Southwest Florida by shellfish growers and other aquaculture businesses. Marine macroalgae remove nitrogen and other nutrients from the marine environment and may help to combat red tide.
In addition to their research, Two Docks Shellfish grows oysters and clams to provide to local shellfish markets in Bradenton and the Tampa Bay area. They also serve 20 nearby restaurants and continue to build partnerships within the community.
As one of his top priorities this Congress, Buchanan introduced the Protecting Local Communities from Harmful Algal Blooms Act, which would amend the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include algal blooms in the definition of a “major disaster”. This change would require the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to provide both technical and financial assistance to states suffering from outbreaks of Harmful Algal Blooms like red tide.
Buchanan has previously secured $8 million for red tide research and backed a proposal signed into law by President Donald Trump to provide more than $100 million to combat harmful algal blooms. In 2019, the U.S. House overwhelmingly approved Buchanan’s measure to study the impact of red tide on human health. Buchanan’s amendment instructs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to designate $6.25 million to research the long-term health effects of red tide and other harmful algal blooms.
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