texasfishingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Power-Pole CS, T-Rigger, JoeGoes, EcKo
119150 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
hopalong 120,565
TexDawg 119,510
Bigbob_FTW 94,875
John175☮ 85,892
Pilothawk 83,259
Bob Davis 81,465
Mark Perry 72,280
Derek 🐝 68,311
JDavis7873 67,416
Forum Statistics
Forums59
Topics1,037,799
Posts13,934,688
Members144,150
Most Online39,925
Dec 30th, 2023
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
TPWD OYSTER PROPOSAL #14513194 10/23/22 11:28 AM
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 7
S
Scott McLeod Offline OP
Green Horn
OP Offline
Green Horn
S
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 7
TPWD is seeking support for their two oyster management proposals. Please take approximately 2 minutes and “support” the proposals electronically @ https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/feedback/public_comment/proposals/202211_oysters.phtml
For additional information concerning the proposals check out CCA Texas - Coastal Conservation Association
& Diverse Anglers Mutual Respect - FlatsWorthy Inc. Many of the oyster fishermen believe they are incapable of over harvesting oysters and are fighting against TPWD’s proposals. Many commercial fishermen believe the oyster reefs should be knocked down or flattened to allow them to treat an oyster reef as a farm field. Over 300 other species of animals depend upon oyster reefs as part of their habitat. Please “support” the proposals and get your family and friends to do the same. Sustainability is the key!

Re: TPWD OYSTER PROPOSAL [Re: Scott McLeod] #14513221 10/23/22 12:17 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,636
P
Pat Goff Offline
TFF Guru
Offline
TFF Guru
P
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,636
They have just beat San Antonio bay flat. I don’t know the exact right answer but unrestrained isn’t working.


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
[Linked Image]
Re: TPWD OYSTER PROPOSAL [Re: Scott McLeod] #14513327 10/23/22 02:39 PM
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 975
M
MathGeek Offline
Pro Angler
Offline
Pro Angler
M
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 975
I like to see more scientific data before I support harvesting restrictions.

From 2011 to 2018 I was on a team of scientists studying the impact of oyster populations in Calcasieu estuary in Louisiana. We provided a lot more science than I see here to convince the Louisiana legislature to increase harvest restrictions until the oysters recovered. We worked with LDWF on the project.

One thing in TX that I want to see is more data on is how much depredation by black drum these reefs are experiencing. It doesn't make sense to strongly restrict harvest if the black drum destruction is just going to wipe out any gains. Also, it is worth considering how much benefit the reefs would see from increased harvest of black drum.

Last edited by MathGeek; 10/23/22 02:40 PM.

�Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?" - The Messiah
Re: TPWD OYSTER PROPOSAL [Re: MathGeek] #14513981 10/24/22 11:48 AM
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 7
S
Scott McLeod Offline OP
Green Horn
OP Offline
Green Horn
S
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 7
There is a lot of science supporting the closures. Some can be found on the CCA Texas website, Flatsworthy website, Harte Research Institute (Doctor Jennifer Pollack), the past history of other states losing oyster reef habitat, and TPWD’s website in conjunction with their public comment explanation of the biological importance of their proposals. TPWD commissioners will hear the public’s comments on Nov. 3rd in Austin. It is reported that 85% of the oyster reefs have already been depleted in Texas and many other states. The Chesapeake Bay area has been trying to rebuild their reefs which have been degraded at a huge expense to the taxpayer. In Texas we hope to protect the reefs before they are all gone and need to be rebuilt. I have witnessed some oyster reefs disappear due to over harvesting and most of the reefs vertical relief have decreased drastically over the last 30 years. Oyster reefs have been in our coastal waters for ever and many of of large reefs are estimated to be from 1,000 to 2,000 years old. If we do not do something soon it will be too late to protect the reefs with management and they will have to be rebuilt at a large cost to everyone. Many of our large reefs are harvested to a level where their vertical relief is so small a storm or hurricane event could cover them with silt. Some in the commercial industry have stated in the pubic meetings they can NOT over harvest the reefs and they want to regulate themselves. Over 300 other species of animals use oyster reefs as their habitat and we are not just concerned with oyster but the whole bays ecological condition. Please search out and find the science to make your educated vote before the Nov 3rd meeting.

Re: TPWD OYSTER PROPOSAL [Re: Scott McLeod] #14514825 10/25/22 12:16 AM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,610
3
361V Offline
TFF Celebrity
Offline
TFF Celebrity
3
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,610
First my Alaskan crabs and now my oysters? 😢 What am I supposed to eat?

Re: TPWD OYSTER PROPOSAL [Re: Scott McLeod] #14514832 10/25/22 12:27 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,636
P
Pat Goff Offline
TFF Guru
Offline
TFF Guru
P
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,636
I'll take pictures of the swarm of oyster boats working San Antonio bay. These are not locals, they're from Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Did I say swarm? That would be a understatement. Armada would be closer. They have flattened the reefs, and it's not going to return quickly.

Do the math, there's about three hundred oyster boats working out of Seadrift, each one can get 1,000 lbs each. Ten years ago, there were about 40 boats.

[Linked Image]


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
[Linked Image]
Re: TPWD OYSTER PROPOSAL [Re: Pat Goff] #14515005 10/25/22 11:16 AM
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 7
S
Scott McLeod Offline OP
Green Horn
OP Offline
Green Horn
S
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 7
Very valid points. Please “support”. TPWD’s proposals and get everyone to do the same. Public support is crucial since the commercial industry is against it!

Re: TPWD OYSTER PROPOSAL [Re: Scott McLeod] #14520538 10/30/22 05:29 PM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 31
B
Blutarsky Offline
Outdoorsman
Offline
Outdoorsman
B
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 31
We were at Second Chain in San Antonio Bay n12/31/21 cleaning up the rookery islands. We counted over 30 boats raking that reef complex. Water was muddied up, and trash from the boats was floating around the islands. It was disgusting, and I appreciate all the people and organizations working to put a stop to the over-exploitation of our local resources.

Re: TPWD OYSTER PROPOSAL [Re: Scott McLeod] #14520866 10/31/22 01:52 AM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,925
S
smooth move Offline
Extreme Angler
Offline
Extreme Angler
S
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,925
i have heard rumors about the closures being permanent. any truth to this?


es le bon ton roulet
Re: TPWD OYSTER PROPOSAL [Re: smooth move] #14520971 10/31/22 11:04 AM
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 7
S
Scott McLeod Offline OP
Green Horn
OP Offline
Green Horn
S
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 7
There are two closures proposed. One proposal is permanent and the other closure is temporary. The permanent closure is within an area around Cedar Bayou which is a fish pass out to the Gulf of Mexico and is a very biologically sensitive area. The second proposal includes oyster reefs which have been restored due to past degradation such as over harvest. Reef restoration is extremely expensive and TPWD would rather protect our reefs before they need to be restored. Many commercial fishermen want to “self regulate” the oyster reefs and falsely believe the oyster reefs can not be over harvested!

Re: TPWD OYSTER PROPOSAL [Re: Blutarsky] #14520973 10/31/22 11:14 AM
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 7
S
Scott McLeod Offline OP
Green Horn
OP Offline
Green Horn
S
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 7
Very true! Oyster reefs with a high vertical profile provide shoreline protection, reduce turbidity (clean the water), act as a baffle in a storm, provide habitat to over 300 species of marine animals, serve as rookery habitat for many birds, sequester carbon, and much more. Sustainability is a major key to the proper management of our oyster reefs not just producing oysters for human consumption.

Re: TPWD OYSTER PROPOSAL [Re: Scott McLeod] #14523096 11/02/22 05:23 PM
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 7
S
Scott McLeod Offline OP
Green Horn
OP Offline
Green Horn
S
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 7
Please don’t forget to “support” TPWD’s oyster proposals electronically by 5 pm today. The commission meeting is tomorrow (Nov. 3rd) in Austin! Some commercial fishermen desire to regulate themselves and they state an oyster reef can not be over harvested. Some commercial fishermen have stated they will not over harvest a reef because if there are not enough oysters on the reef, the commercial fishermen will not harvest the area due to economics. Sounds like the “fox wanting to guard the hen house”!

Re: TPWD OYSTER PROPOSAL [Re: Scott McLeod] #14523309 11/02/22 08:10 PM
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 843
I
IslandJim Offline
Pro Angler
Offline
Pro Angler
I
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 843
Letting the commercial fishermen regulate anything is like my old partner said: "Like letting Col. Sanders babysit your chickens". See how well the commercial red snapper fishermen regulate the recreational catch limits. Ha! Maybe Brad Lomax's oyster farm in Copano Bay will lead to many more down the road. IslandJim


I'm an Eighth Day Adventist. On the Eighth Day, God went fishing!
Re: TPWD OYSTER PROPOSAL [Re: IslandJim] #14523454 11/02/22 09:58 PM
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 7
S
Scott McLeod Offline OP
Green Horn
OP Offline
Green Horn
S
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 7
I certainly hope so! Harvesting oysters from mariculture sites and leases can help reduce the harvest from our public reefs. There are already a couple of new oyster mariculture sites in the permitting process. Sustainability is the key!!!

Re: TPWD OYSTER PROPOSAL [Re: Scott McLeod] #14528291 11/07/22 11:40 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,636
P
Pat Goff Offline
TFF Guru
Offline
TFF Guru
P
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,636
One reef this morning. Someone explain how this isn't killing the reefs?

[Linked Image]


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
[Linked Image]
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 1998-2022 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3