It's killing them for certain. Many of the oystermen that spoke were trying to ask TPWD why they are forcing all 500 boats into a 600 acre area? The oystermen could not fathom that there are no keeper oysters left in the other regions of the state. The way I see this issue, the writing is on the wall. The entire gulf is closed except for hand oystering only in Miss, half of LA is open, and 7 out of 37 zones in Texas open IIRC and that was before this closure. Guess where all those oyster boats came for the last few seasons?

That should be some sort of indicator that these practices are not sustainable. The oystermen all said their Grampa and Dad never had to deal with this. Most of the Mississippi fleet was here 2 years ago and decimated San Antonio bay. I had never seen the harbor that full of boats. I wonder what the effect would be if we closed Texas to only Texas Oyster licenses? Is that even possible at this point? Even that would be too little too late. I know there is an increased buyback program.

Mariculture and private leases are going to be what saves a small portion of the industry IMHO. The rest will go the way of the sawfish or the Port A tarpon fishery.

Well, Scott: TPWD announced that they are closing Josephine's Reef for two years and some other areas for one year. What about the out-of-state oystermen? Does this mean they will over-fish other areas? Do they pay a steep price for their Texas licenses? Lots of questions still. We hope the oyster farm development hurries and helps the problem. That won't provide jobs for the dredgers, but maybe they can go back to their states and get jobs doing something else. Keep us informed, if you can. Maybe Pat can get a picture of them putting away! IslandJim

The commercial fishermen are just killers. Just blood money. It does not matter the country. They will work themselves out of a job if you let them.

if you watch lone star law its a miracle there are any resources left between folks not having any idea of bag limits to commercial fishermen with no licenses not caring if the oysters are keeper size or not. its a safe bet if you dont have a license you dont care about the rest of the laws.