Letters to the Editor: Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week
September 24th, 2011

Letters to the Editor: MEDICARE IS THE SOLUTION, NOT THE PROBLEM!
July 30th, 2011

Letters to the Editor: Letter To Editor
July 18th, 2011

Letters to the Editor: Letter: Local Mom & Pop Business Offers Free Marketing Opportunity
June 21st, 2011

Letters to the Editor: Letter: Change is Once Again Happening in Cedar Key
June 14th, 2011

Letters to the Editor: Letter: Oil Spill Claims Litigation Options Still Available
May 23rd, 2011

Letters to the Editor: Letter FROM the Editor
May 18th, 2011

Letters to the Editor: Letter: Time for a New Face
May 18th, 2011

Letters to the Editor: Letter to the Editor: Candidate Responds
May 10th, 2011

Letters to the Editor: Letter: Thank You From Candidate
May 9th, 2011

Letters to the Editor: Letter to the Editor: No Endorsement Given
May 9th, 2011

Letters to the Editor: Letter: Save Gulf Hammock
April 11th, 2011

Letters to the Editor: Letter to the Editor: What More Can We Do to Save Our Libraries?
March 28th, 2011

Letters to the Editor: Letter to the Editor: Fireworks Viewed from Seat #2
March 11th, 2011

Letters to the Editor: Letter: Fishing and Aquaculture Producers Seek Assistance in BP Claims Process
February 6th, 2011

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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