Alligator Point clam farmer wants to try his luck at oyster farming

            Another clam farmer in Alligator Harbor is hoping to try out oyster aquaculture and has asked the state to modify his lease to use the whole water column.

In 2002, the state approved forty-six 1.5 acre leases in Alligator Harbor near Alligator Point for clam farming to allow local seafood workers to grow clams commercially.

Clams are grown on the bottom of the harbor so boats can still access the area where clam farming is taking place.

A few years ago the Florida cabinet began to allow leaseholders to use the full water column on their clam leases to grow oysters.

Currently 28 of the 46 original clam leases have approval to use the full water column for oysters.

A request has now been made to allow another lease to join in.

County commissioners have opposed allowing oyster farmers to use the full water column because they say it keeps commercial and recreational fishermen and boaters from operating in certain areas of the bay.

The final decision on the lease will fall to the governor and cabinet.

They are taking public comments on the proposal until July the 16^th.

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