DATE: 9/8/2005

CONTACT: Jack Whetstone, (843) 546-6321

WRITER: Tom Lollis, (803) 284-3343, ext. 241

Whetstone honored for role in aquaculture regulations

CLEMSON – When the EPA announced in 2000 that it was going to focus on reducing nutrient discharges from aquaculture operations, it selected a Clemson University faculty member to be a co-leader of a team charged with helping develop regulations.

Jack Whetstone, aquaculture specialist with the S.C. Sea Grant Extension Program, teamed with Granvil Treece of Texas A&M University to head the Marine Shrimp Effluents Group subcommittee, which produced regulations that went into effect in the summer of 2004.

Under effluent discharge requirements already in effect, the U.S. shrimp farmers were already at a competitive disadvantage with foreign producers, and stricter regulations could have threatened their survival, according to Whetstone.

“Shrimp production hit its peak in 2003 with more than 10 million pounds harvested, but prices were well below the previous year and the value of production fell from $27.5 million to $19.8 million,” he said.

“In South Carolina we have seen the number of shrimp farms drop continually from a peak of 15 in the late 90s,” Whetstone said. The primary reason is imports from countries such as China, Thailand, Ecuador, India, Viet Nam and Brazil.

His group developed guidelines which shrimp producers could use to regulate discharges by timing harvest and pond drainage around a cycle that allows solid wastes to settle to the pond bottom first.

“Working with the EPA, we also adjusted some overly stringent discharge limits so it’s feasible for shrimp farmers to stay in business,” he said.

For his efforts Whetstone received a Superior Outreach Programming Award from the South Atlantic Sea Grant Region (the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida). The USDA has also recognized him for his efforts in helping develop the regulations.

“While the project has not solved all the problems besetting the industry, it has resulted in regulations the industry can live with,” said Bob Bacon, leader of the S.C. Sea Grant Extension Program. He nominated Whetstone for the outreach award.

His work with the EPA was also one reason cited for Whetstone being presented the Clemson University Alumni Association Distinguished Public Service Award for 2004. He was also singled out for his work with commercial aquaculture, pond management, aquatic weed control, coastal wetlands impoundment management and aquatic landscaping. Bill Anderson, section manager of shellfish management with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, credited him with being largely responsible for the success of the state’s $5.5 million clam industry.

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