WAKULLA COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Oyster ranchers in Wakulla County are reacting to the news that a group who's opposed their presence in state waters is now trying to meet in the middle.
The Wakulla Commercial Fishermen's Association is asking members for ideas on working together with the oyster ranchers. It'll be part of a special presentation Monday.
This comes after months of protest from the group who, this year, asked state officials to stop handing out leases for oyster farms. However, local oyster ranchers say this meeting seems like a promising sign.
"I think our biggest issue is communication and education," said Cainnon Gregg, owner of Pelican Oyster Co. "We all are out here to earn a living and support our families and hopefully to help this bay. We're all out here to see our industries survive and I think we can have a symbiotic relationship."
No word on if some vandalism at the newly-approved leases in Wakulla County last weekend was the catalyst for this meeting. WTXL reached out to the Fishermen's Association President for more details, but have not yet heard back.
The presentation will be made Monday at 5 p.m. in the Wakulla County Commission Chamber.
