Letters to the Editor: Questions for the Fishing News
May 9th, 2004

Letters to the Editor: Local Girl Shines at State Meet
May 7th, 2004

Letters to the Editor: A Piece of Cedar Key History Up for Auction
April 25th, 2004

Letters to the Editor: Levy County Bombing Range
April 25th, 2004

Letters to the Editor: USS ISLE ROYALE AD29 Reunion
April 25th, 2004

Letters to the Editor: Ms Kitty Needs a Home
April 15th, 2004

Letters to the Editor: A Trip Down Memory Lane
March 24th, 2004

Letters to the Editor: Changing Parties
March 19th, 2004

Letters to the Editor: Update on "Sunset Park"
February 27th, 2004

Letters to the Editor: Preservation of Cedar Key
February 18th, 2004

Letters to the Editor: What A Year It`s Been!
February 3rd, 2004

Letters to the Editor: A Howling Good Time
January 26th, 2004

Letters to the Editor: Some Thoughts
January 17th, 2004

Letters to the Editor: Hero of Sturgis Circle
January 7th, 2004

Letters to the Editor: Clarification for the Record
December 12th, 2003

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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