RESEARCH
U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers work on ways to
combat the citrus greening disease, which is devastating the
citrus industry, and to get rid of whitefly pests that eat ornamental
and vegetable plants. Researchers at the University of Florida’s
Florida Medical Entomology Lab in Vero Beach look for ways to
fight mosquito-borne diseases that can be deadly.
Scientists monitor and work to improve the quality of water in
the Indian River Lagoon. They seek ways to grow more fish in the
United States for food instead of depending on foreign countries.
They want to save coral reefs from a fast-spreading disease that has
attacked corals from the Florida Keys to Martin County, to find new
antibiotics, to hunt for drugs to fight cancer and so much more.
Paul Wills, who specializes in growing finfish in the 30-acre aquaculture
development center at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
in Fort Pierce, is researching a land-based tank system where
the water is recirculated and where fish and plants support each
others’ needs. Waste from one provides nutrients for the other.
Researchers are growing fish, shrimp, sea urchins, sea cucumbers,
clams, oysters, algae and seaweed in large tanks. As they
make discoveries, they pass the information on to commercial
fish growers.
“Fifty percent of the seafood we eat comes from aquaculture
but only one percent of that is grown in the United States,” Wills
says. Harbor Branch scientists are seeking to close that gap.
EDUCATION
Schools encourage students to look at these careers; some
high schools have specialized academies that prepare students
for them. Indian River State College’s programs train budding
scientists, getting them ready for jobs or apprenticeships. Univer- >>
TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY
WHO IS REQUIRED TO FILE A DR-405 TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RETURN?
Any business in possession of assets on January 1 whether you are a proprietorship, partnership,
corporation or is a self-employed agent or contractor, must file each year.
Filing a DR-405 TPP Tax Return by April 1 with the Property Appraiser's Office
entitles a business to the TPP exemption from Ad Valorem taxation of up to
$25,000 of assessed value per Section 196.183, Florida Statutes.
Visit www.paslc.org to download a DR-405 TPP Tax Return or call our TPP Department at 772.460.3340.
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Phone: 772.462.1000
Website: www.paslc.org
INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE
Indian River State College students go after shrimp, one of the species raised
at the 30-acre Harbor Branch aquaculture facility.
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