HomeMy WebLinkAboutCUP 194A; Aquaculture Systems International; Conditional Use Permit (CUP) (21)f- SWFARMS WEST *- Shellfish Specialists
August 13, 1990
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1540 Carlsbad, CA 92008 Phone (619) 438-2444
Mr. Gary E. Wayne Assistant Planning Director
Planning Department CITY OF CARLSBAD
2075 Las Palmas Drive Carlsbad, CA 92009-4859
RE: EXTENSION OF CUP 194 (A) EL (B), REQUEST FOR TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Dear Mr. Wayne:
The following is a point-by-point response to your letter of July 26, 1990. First, however, I wish to provide some background, as a perspective for your unorthodox request.
Seafarms West (SfW, Inc.) is a small family farm, owned by my
wife, Linda, myself and a minority stockholder. We have invested
nearly $200,000 in the farm, most of which is family money. Other
than our fully mortgaged home here in Carlsbad, we own nothing
else. We started it in 1985, with our first planting of oysters in June, followed soon by mussels. The farm consists of five lagoon acres and approximately .2 acre for a shore base and processing facility. Initially, we emphasized oysters, using standard French "poche/table" techniques, but as the farm evolved, we have switched exclusively to hssels. We now have 37 mussel
"long-lines" (modeled after the Italians) spread throughout the
five acres.
Oyster production peaked in 1987, with- about 1,500 bushels harvested; mussel production is still growing, with the 1989 harvest exceeding 140,000 pounds. The annual harvest has
increased by 50% to 80% each year, and is driven by market demand. My estimate of our maximum annual production using our current
five acres is 350,000 to 400,000 pounds, which should be achieved
by 1993-94.
We are pioneering off-bottom shellfish farming in North America, using knowledge gained from extensive European travels and a lifetime of working and recreating in, around and under the sea.
Farm Location - Agua Hedionda Lagoon, Carlsbad, California
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Mr. Gary E. Wayne
August 13, 1990
Page 2
Seafarms West is the second largest mussel farm on the West Coast
and one of the very few, worldwide, that has year-round
production.
1.
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4.
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6.
A colored site plan was given to Ms. Hysong on July 26, 1990.
The entire mussel farming process consists of the following:
Activiti Running Time (Averane)
Seed Collection
Stocking Stuffing Planting in Lagoon Growing Harvesting/Processing Wet Storage Packing/Shipping
0
1-10 days
2-4 weeks 22-28 weeks 22-20 weeks + 48 hours
The product is the live bay mussel: Mjtilis galloprovin-
cialis (formerly called M. edulis).
Our customer list is confidential. Suffice it to say that most of our production is shipped by air out of state, and nearly all goes to wholesalers/distributors (see Item #6 regarding Confidentiality).
The product is free of health hazards (assuming it is handled
properly after it leaves our hands). If the product were sold directly from the lagoon, a health hazard would exist, the
extent of which would depend on a number of variables. The lagoon's water quality is variable, being at its worst during
heavy rainfall (runoff). Otherwise, it is very similar to the nearshore waters and is classified as a I "Conditionally Approved Growing Area".
At the present time, 48 hours of "wet storage" adequately
purges the product of bacterial contaminants.
Our financial statement is strictly confidential and will be provided only if the City will agree to its confidentiality, with the appropriate provisions to collect damages, if the confidentiality is violated (a performance bond is suggested). I .will tell you that our monthly sales run from four to five
figures, and basic overhead is approximately $5,000, before any debt payment .
A
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Mr. Gary E, Wayne August 13, 1990 Page 3
7, The cost of "wet storage" runs from $2,000 to $4,000 annually at current production levels.
8. I have given you correspondence regarding our licensing and certification. This includes everything related to coliform testing and associated health risks" (provided to Frank Boensch on July 19, 1990, when he visited the farm).
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9. The SDG&E lease agreement is enclosed.
I hope that the above satisfies your need to know the details of our operation in order to process our CUP extension request. Please feel free to call any time, should you wish any
clarification, or if you would like to pursue the confidentiality aspects.
It is apparent from the nature of your inquiry that there are
gross misunderstandings as to how we operate. I would be pleased
to provide a comprehensive tour of our facility to whomever might be interested. I do this an average of twice each month for school groups (elementary through graduate school) and would be happy to do the same for Carlsbad city officials.
President
RDG:lw
Enclosure
cc: F, R. Studdert, Esq. State Coastal Commission State Department of Health Services California Department of Fish and Game Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Environmental Law Center, USD Marine Advisor, Sea Grant Extension Program,
San Diego County Department of Agriculture