While resilient, the oyster fishery has limitations and we must be proactive in our efforts to improve its sustainability and promote reef growth. As outlined in the suggested measures below, we need to prioritize the ecological and structural value of oysters in the water including safeguarding existing reefs and creating new ones. The oyster is so much more than just a fishery; it is a crucial foundational component of our bays’ ecosystem – healthy oyster reefs mean a strong and sustainable coastline now and in the future. Help us advocate for a more sustainable oyster fishery by sharing information from this page and constructively engaging with policy makers.
Shane Bonnot
Advocacy Director, CCA Texas
Photo courtesy of the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies
Photo Courtesy of John Blaha
CCA Texas, FlatsWorthy and numerous committed conservation groups took an important first step in addressing critical concerns with the continued decline of public oyster reefs in a letter to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.
The letter is the beginning of a broader and crucial dialogue necessary to:
Taking action will ultimately lead to a healthier oyster fishery.
Photo Courtesy of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
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CCA Texas believes it’s imperative that the management of our Texas oyster fishery continues to evolve by prioritizing the ecological and structural value of oysters in the water by safeguarding existing reefs and creating new ones.
This funding will help to support the program’s operations for two years.
While conservationists recently celebrated news that three threatened bay systems would be closed to oyster harvest, concerns remained that other areas would inevitably bear the brunt of intense commercial harvest.
Yesterday, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (Commission) adopted the proposed changes to the statewide oyster fishery proclamation, which included the closure of oyster reef areas in Ayres, Mesquite and Carlos Bays (three bays), and the temporary closure of restoration areas in Galveston Bay and San Antonio Bay.
Carlos Reef is an important part of the habitat along the Texas coast. This was once a continuous structure from San Jose Island to Bloodworth Island. Now it serves as weakened baffle structure. It is important to maintain this reef to preserve its integrity, which is integral to the health of our fishery and the ecosystem as a whole.
Second Chain of Islands is a little more difficult to track because it is so fragmented from the passage of time, years of harvest, and the forces of nature.
Ayers Reef is one of the last 2 remaining intact barrier reefs. It is the first to accept the force of water coming out of San Antonio Bay and Espritu Santu since the Second Chain of Islands has been so greatly diminished. It must be saved through a sanctuary program.
At one time there were three islands in the Mesquite Bay Complex. Third Chain of Islands were a mainstay in attenuating the wave action coming out of Mesquite Bay. It has become degraded and must be protected.
We need you to help rescue our oyster reefs. Here is a quick breakdown.
Cedar Reef deserves to be a sanctuary so it will not be further degraded by man or by nature. It has served us well for a long time and should continue to do so.
Please take 3 quick minutes to hear what they have to say on the CRITICAL importance of the oyster reefs, specifically in Ayres, Mesquite, and Carlos Bays, of our Texas Coast!
From Texas Parks and Wildlife: “The Proposed Amendment Would Close Reefs in Ayres, Mesquite, and Carlos Bays to Oyster Harvest.”
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UPDATE: Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Takes Bold Steps to Conserve Oyster Reefs in Carlos, Mesquite and Ayres Bays