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School News: Cedar Key School Announces New Principal
July 19th, 2013

Columns: Meet the Pirates: Rascal Robert~Pirate Magyke
July 19th, 2013

News: Capital City Community Banker & Market Leader Inez Worthington Announces Retirement
July 18th, 2013

City News: City Commission Appoints Tina Ryan To Replace Commissioner Pat O’Neal
July 17th, 2013

Law Enforcement News: Levy County Arrest Report 7/15/2013
July 16th, 2013

Conservation: FWC Asks Public to Report Mink Sightings
July 16th, 2013

Columns: Meet the Pirates: Headhunter Judd and Deepwater Donna
July 14th, 2013

Conservation: Fish of the Week: Red Grouper
July 13th, 2013

Fishing News: Adventure Fishing
July 12th, 2013

Arts and Entertainment: Artist of the Month in Cedar Key
July 11th, 2013

News: Meet the Pirates: Krewe of the Scarlett Fortuna
July 11th, 2013

Law Enforcement News: Levy County Arrest Report 7/08/2013
July 9th, 2013

Announcements: CKN CORRECTION
July 9th, 2013

City News: CITY COMMISSION AND CRA CONSIDER BUDGET, LOANS, GRANTS
July 9th, 2013

Columns: ASK A LAWYER: DISCLOSING KNOWN DEFECTS IN SELLING A HOUSE
July 8th, 2013

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Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor

Mike Hodges

Dear Editor,

I am writing this letter in regards to the Clam Lease Expansion Proposed by the Department of Aquaculture and Consumer Services (DACS).

Last week DACS decided to shelve the High Density Portion of The Proposed Clam Lease Expansion, we unanimously applaud this decision, however, we still have grave concerns about DACS allowing Lease Applications to be submitted for 5 acres per person. If the first of these applications are approved it will open PANDORA`S BOX, and set a precedence for all other applications which could tally into the hundreds.

Approximately 15 years ago, we had a similar situation with the Pelican Reef Expansion, many of the lease applicant`s had no intention of planting clams, selling their leases to make a quick profit. It was like an old fashioned land grab. After that, DACS stopped accepting lease applications. During that time the clam market could absorbed the added production, clam prices were double what they are today. Making the same mistake now, with the shape we are in, would be disastrous. We have been over producing for some time now, causing prices to plummet. More clam leases means more clams. What we need now is a marketing plan.

The vast majority of Cedar Key Clammers want the Governor and his Cabinet to vote No on all upcoming lease applications. The Dept. of Agriculture has a duty to manage our submerged lands responsibly, considering the fact that the submerged lands we use to farm clams, are owned by the Citizens of Florida.

Thank you,
Mike Hodges

Flow us on Facebook @ Save the Clam Farmers of Cedar Key Fl.

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Cedar Key News

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