After protest by oystermen and the public, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has delayed a vote on the proposed closure of three oyster bays for harvesting. Photo: Prestige Oyster
by Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News Editor
After protest by oystermen and the public, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has delayed a vote on the proposed closure of three oyster bays for harvesting. The three bays are Carlos Bay, Mesquite Bay and Ayres Bay near Rockport. State biologists had warned harvesting in those areas has increased over the past decade and reefs have shown a low abundance of oysters relative to neighboring bays.
According to an article in Houston Public Media, the department that oversees oyster harvesting has tabled a proposal to permanently close these three bays to harvesting. That following roughly four hours of public testimony and more than 2,500 written comments.
Texas oysters have had a rough decade; enduring hurricanes, flood events and drought. However, the oyster industry and environmental groups are at odds over how to manage the resource.
In a recent release by the Parks and Wildlife Department, biologists and environmental groups sited the need for closing the bays to protect oysters for the future. Commercial oyster fishermen say it would be devastating to the industry, as well as their livelihoods.
“With the weather that’s been thrown to us and the demand for oysters, we’re in an unsustainable place and so I think we need to look at this from a bigger picture,” said the department’s chairman Arch Aplin III, founder and CEO of roadside chain Buc-ee’s Travel Stops. Photo: Buc-ee’s and TDPW
“We heard from lots of fishermen and it’s how they make their livelihood. With the weather that’s been thrown to us and the demand for oysters, we’re in an unsustainable place and so I think we need to look at this from a bigger picture,” said the department’s chairman Arch Aplin III, founder and CEO of roadside chain Buc-ee’s.
He has called for the formation of a task force with industry stakeholders to look at the issue more closely for both the bays under discussion as well as for future management of oyster reefs in the state.
“I was proud of all the oyster fishermen who came out to Austin from their coastal towns to fight for their livelihood,” Johny Jurisich, founder of Facebook page Save Texas Oysters, told Gulf Seafood News. The ones who spoke, did so from their heart and it was beautiful.”
Opposition testifying in support of the closures included the National Wildlife Federation, saying Texas oyster reefs have had trouble rebounding from hurricanes, flooding, drought and climate change.
“This resource is under increasing pressure, not just now but into the foreseeable future, as bays and estuaries across the Gulf are experiencing significant stress,” said the organization’s Amanda Fuller. “I really want to highlight the important role that oyster reefs play in shoring up and protecting the Texas coast as we encounter elevated coastal erosion rates, sea level rise and extreme storms in the Gulf.”
Jurisich said that he the felt the oystermen had have won the day, but the fight is not over. It all started with non-violent, yet emotional protests in front of TPWD building. Oyster fishermen shouting “Pescadores Unidos!” and “Don’t take our bays away!” but the finish line has not been crossed.
During his testimony before the committee, Jurisich explained, “We care and want the bays to be prosperous.
He told Gulf Seafood News, “Victory, but was it? There are 1500 fishermen are still without work. Texas Bays are still shut down. The traffic light system is still in effect and it will make sure next season will be a miserable one. The Texas oyster industry is needing a change, especially in how it’s managed by TPWD.”
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