Florida approves aquaculture leases in Franklin and Wakulla counties

The state of Florida this week approved additional aquaculture leases in several parts of the state, primarily in the Apalachicola Bay.

The approved aquaculture leases include a two-acre parcel within the Apalachicola Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Franklin County.

The applicant, Andrew Arnold, will be culturing native clams and oysters in the water column.

The state also agreed to modify 24 one and a half-acre aquaculture bottom leases in Alligator Harbor.

The 13 applicants plan to use the full water column to grow clams and oysters.

A lease was also approved for the the full water column over five acres of sovereign submerged land in Oyster Bay in Wakulla County to expand the business of the Spring Creek Oyster Company.

Spring Creek already has an oyster aquaculture lease in Alligator Harbor.

The state also approved a two two-acre aquaculture bottom leases in Levy County and a two-acre bottom lease in Manatee County.

State officials say the leases will benefit the local economy, and have minimal impact on public navigation, recreational opportunities and environmental health.

Franklin county Commissioners and local seafood workers had asked that the leases not be considered until a number of local concerns were addressed, including how the use of the full water column would impact boaters and other fishermen.

There are also local concerns over how Vibrio Vulnificus will impact oysters in the top of the water column where the waters are warmest.

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