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Regional study recommends cooperative, branding and workforce ties to revive Northeast Florida shrimp industry
Summary
A North Florida Regional Council market study presented to the Nassau County Board recommends forming a cooperative, brand development, workforce training and local outreach to support the shrimp industry across Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties.
Cassidy Taylor, economic recovery coordinator for the Northeast Florida Regional Council, presented a market study on the Northeast Florida shrimp industry during the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners meeting July 16. The study recommends establishing a locally led agricultural cooperative, a regional brand, workforce partnerships and public outreach to support shrimpers and grow market connections to area restaurants.
The study, funded in part by a community planning and technical assistance grant from Florida Commerce, followed a three‑phase process: background research and a kickoff meeting with local shrimpers in Mayport Village, a series of four listening sessions (Fernandina Beach, Mayport Village, St. Augustine and a virtual countywide session), and a final report with practical recommendations. Taylor said about 60 people attended the listening sessions overall, with roughly 25 at the Fernandina Beach meeting.
Taylor said the study’s primary recommendation is to “establish an agricultural cooperative” that would bring shrimpers, dock owners and supporting businesses together to coordinate marketing, distribution and quality standards. The cooperative model, she said, could allow local restaurants to reliably source regional shrimp under a recognizable brand and would support ancillary services such as diesel mechanic training for an aging boat fleet.
Other practical recommendations in the report include creating a unique brand and logo to be used by restaurants and vendors, partnering with workforce development programs to train young people and technicians, expanding ecotourism and education opportunities, and coordinating outreach through local museums and schools. Taylor said the project team has applied to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Local Food Promotion Program to help fund brand development and community marketing.
Taylor noted local pilot efforts such as a planned ‘‘shrimp industry day’’ at Maple Court Coastal Middle School that organizers hope could expand to school field trips and broader education programming. She also said the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival was identified by stakeholders as an existing community event that could help with outreach.
Taylor said the final market study has been distributed to stakeholders who attended the listening sessions and to others who expressed interest; she provided printed copies at the meeting. The presentation was informational; the board did not take formal action on the study during the July 16 meeting.
The study was presented by the Northeast Florida Regional Council, which includes local elected officials from the region on its board and noted representation from Nassau County on that board.
