Letters to the Editor: Letter to the Editor
July 4th, 2013

Letters to the Editor: Crystal River Manatee
February 20th, 2013

Letters to the Editor: Recent "Conservation" letters/column`s to the Cedar Key News
November 26th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Letter To Editor - Veteran`s Day Signs
November 15th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Letter to Editor - Vote tabulation and voting process in Florida
November 11th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Letter to Editor - A Reply to - "Emperor with no Clothes"
November 1st, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Letter to Editor - "Emperor with no Clothes"
November 1st, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Letter to Editor - Seafood “Parking Ticket” Festival!!
October 24th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Amabassador`s Assassination
September 14th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Letter To Editor - Halloween Spook House
September 6th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Why I Am Resigning My Commissioner Seat
August 24th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Letter To Editor - Willie Smith
July 31st, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Letter To Editor - Post Office
July 26th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: A North Florida Water War
July 23rd, 2012

Letters to the Editor: A Reply to the "Letter to the Editor - Stand Your Ground"
July 10th, 2012

Letter to the Editor

Mike Hodges

Thu, Jul 4th 2013 Letters to the Editor

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.

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