Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Aquaculture BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT TRUST FUND Section 253.69, Florida Statutes – Rule 18-21.021, F.A.C. NOTICE OF AQUACULTURE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT APPLICATION NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to Section 253.70, Florida Statutes that the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund has received an application (41-MA-2456) from Gulf Shellfish Institute, Inc. of 13230 Eastern Avenue, Palmetto, Florida 34221. The applicant is requesting approval of a sovereignty submerged land aquaculture management agreement preempting 1.43 acres, more or less of sovereignty submerged land in Lower Tampa Bay, Manatee County, to conduct shellfish restoration aquaculture on the bottom. The applicant has identified two potential sites for the proposed management agreement. The applicant’s preferred site (Site 1) is located near Eds Key in Miguel Bay, and the alternate site (Site 2) is located near Emerson Point, both are in Lower Tampa Bay. The applicant is requesting authorization for one of these two sites. Both proposed sites for a management agreement are located in the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve. A map identifying the location of the proposed activity accompanies this notice. Anyone having any questions or comments regarding the proposed project should file them in writing with the Division of Aquaculture, 600 South Calhoun Street, Suite 217, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, on or before 5:00 pm on the 27th day of October 2026.