County commissioners have agreed to set up a meeting with state aquaculture officials to look at the possibility of expanding clam aquaculture in Franklin County. Currently clam farming is allowed in Alligator harbor near Alligator Point, but commissioners say the work is proving to be so successful that other people would like to become involved. The commission has a few areas it says it might good locations for clam farming and they would like the state to begin monitoring the waters to see if they meet the criteria for clam farms. The Division of Aquaculture said clam farming is the largest marine aquaculture business in the state and Franklin County’s clam farmers play a significant role in that. Right now cedar Key is the largest clam farming area in the state, but Franklin County could hold that title if a few more areas were opened up. The commission also wants the state to look at currently unused leases in Alligator Harbor to see if those leases can be offered to people who will use them. There are currently 46 clam leases in Alligator Harbor; many of them are being actively farmed but commissioners say that there are a few that are sitting unused.
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