Source: WILMINGTON STAR-NEWS, 1/17/18

In 2015 and 2016 fishermen Al Smeilus and Tim Holbrook made waves when they opened oyster farms in the protected Masonboro Island Nature Reserve. Their state-issued leases let them plant oyster seeds on either the marsh bed or in floating cages. But now those leases will not be renewed, due to an unforeseen conflict with a state heritage program. When their five-year terms are up, the men have been told they’ll need to clear their farms from the reserve.

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