We have witnessed excessive loss of previously wadable reefs in Galveston Bay, Matagorda Bay, San Antonio Bay, Mesquite Bay, Carlos Bay, Aransas Bay and Copano Bay.
The value and services oyster reefs provide are undeniable. Oyster reefs…
While resilient, the oyster fishery has limitations and we must be proactive in our efforts to improve its sustainability and promote reef growth.
Photo Courtesy of John Blaha
Solutions to healthy and sustainable Texas oyster fishery include…
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Episode 46, Shane and John Blaha sit down with retired Texas Game Wardens and Rockport, Texas residents Michael Weiss and Scott McLeod for an honest and frank conversation about the status of our Texas oyster fishery, their concerns regarding management, and the crucial issues surrounding it.
“This closing is based on samples recently collected by TPWD showing low abundance of legal-sized oysters.”
CCA Texas Advocacy Director Shane Bonnot briefed the chapter about the critical concerns we have over the continued decline of our oyster fishery and how CCA Texas is taking action.
Host Chester Moore talks with Shane Bonnot of CCA about the proposed speckled trout emergency regulations and problems with oyster harvest along the coast.
READ: 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.
They are seeking public input on a proposed amendment to temporarily prohibit oyster harvesting for two years from 199 acres of restored oyster reefs.
Texan by Nature selected Coastal Conservation Association (CCA)’s Building Conservation Trust (BCT) as a Conservation Wrangler in 2018. We have enjoyed working with them on the Sabine Lake oyster reef restoration project and look forward to future opportunities to unite business and conservation.
Dr. Fox is Chair for Marine Resource Development at Harte Research Institute and Brad is the president and founder of Water Street Restaurants. Both of these dudes are passionate about oysters and are working with numerous partners (including CCA Texas) to bring a new industry to the Texas Coast – Oyster Mariculture. Special thanks to the Texas Restaurant Association, Representative Todd Hunter, and Senator Lois Kolkhorst for championing this legislation. Have a listen to learn more.
The Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is our most valuable coastal resource, providing critical habitat for fish and invertebrate species, shoreline stabilization, water quality enhancements and numerous other ecological functions.
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