The Gulf Shellfish Institute (GSI), a Florida non-profit was formed in 2015 by industry members. The mission of GSI is to facilitate, support and encourage increased production of shellfish in Florida and the Gulf region for both economic and environmental benefit through cooperative, industry-driven research and outreach. GSI believes that high quality seafood produced in an environmentally sustainable fashion can boost coastal economies, preserve and strengthen working waterfronts, improve coastal water quality and habitats and encourage the development of a domestic aquaculture industry capable of reducing existing trade deficits.