Oyster Ruling Released

[Root Canal]

Well I went to the Website O. K. put up.
I do agree that the Oysters have been over harvested. Not sure what needs to be done, but something needs to change.

Mike, They do show a map of the bay system, but I don't see the area under discussion.

[coachlaw]

While I can't disagree with sustainable management of our state's oyster beds, it's just not up to one company to do this. TPWD should take the lead on this. It's just plain wrong to me that one company can influence enough political officials to obtain such a lease, never mind the paltry sum. I agree that they're trying to exploit a loophole, and I see political intrigue here. It just can't be allowed to stand. Yes, a lot of money will go to lawyers to iron this out.

BTW, I had supper with Misho today. He is not an idiot, and he's not from the Ukraine. He's very well educated and Croatian-American, just like half of me. Yes, he's a citizen. He may not have put it in a politically correct manner, but Texas was stolen, just as the U.S. was stolen from Britain and in reality, the Indians. Don't get hung up on the quotes. Jeri's Seafood and Storm have the right idea on sustainability. But IMO they are not going about it in the right way. The Chambers County Navigation District has zero authority to issue this lease. But the lawyers will figure it out, at great expense to all involved.

[JT]

OK I was wrong...That's kinda like confusing an Iraqi or Iranian since its the same region.

However the statement he made regarding Texas being stolen from Mexico is idiotic. Tell the guys at the Alamo, Goliad et al that.

Texas was "fought' for, just like America was "fought for

[catchingking]

I'll tell yall right now that NO ONE and I mean NO ONE will ever tell me where I can and cannot fish in the Galveston Bay system. I have purchased a fishing licence since I was the age of 16. I am a native born Texan, raised right here in Houston. If i have to get arrested for standing my ground then I'll do just that.

[Ibtsoom]

The fishermen that enter our homeland security enforced berth at work have the same argument. 50 caliber machine guns tend to change most of their minds though.

I do see your point though.. it's frustrating.

[mgstei1]

Politics and laws sometimes are rotten to interested parties. I never liked having a drivers license, fish/hunt license, etc. But if I want to obey and do what everyone else has considered right than I get in line and do it.
Oysters improve the bays and wildlife substantially and should and will be protected. Next time the grunt monster hits me and my arse hangs over the side, I may just empty the bait bucket and fill er up instead as now I will definitely think about the oysters and bays and change bad habits.

[SurfnFish]

Supposedly, the idea that recreational anglers will be restricted from fishing on or navigating through the reefs is out of question. I almost jumped at signing the petition which was created by STORMS number one competitor I believe but then I did some more research and decided for myself that it wasn't worth signing. I don't want to help block something that may actually be beneficial to anglers, oysters, and the bay. On the surface it seems wrong and I can't help but think it may pave the way to strip more public lands from the public. Just because this company doesn't have an interest in restricting public use as they say, why wouldn't the next company that gets a lease granted? There is more and more information coming out on this subject...probably all from biased points of view but informative none the less. Not sure on rules about posting links here but it's not hard to find.

[Cuda340]

....something needs to be done that's for sure as far as the Oyster harvest goes. A good example would be to take a look at all of the out of state boats that were tearing the heck out of the area South of Deer Island this past summer. Took a look and didn't see one that had TX numbers down there and was surprised there wasn't a collision there were so many boats. By the way "CoachLaw", I've known your friend in San Leon and his relatives since they first came here and started their businesses as I hooked up all their phone lines when they were getting started. Remember they used to have their flags with the checkerboards flying proudly on those old boats. Some good hardworking folks that's for sure!

[coachlaw]

Ok, there are always 2 sides to a story. I spent the day in Smith Point and got the other side. Apparently the GLO SOLD this part of the bay to the Chambers County Navigation District sometime in the 50's. I don't have time to research this because I've got a cold front bearing down on me that was supposed to arrive Wednesday. The jist of what I got was that the problem is the TPWD has issued leases on some of the same bay bottom that the CCND actually owns outright. If I had a lease with someone and someone else sold the same property to a competitor, you bet there would be a problem. So, as with most things, it's a government created problem. If I was Jeri's Seafood, I'd have jumped at the chance to get this through the CCND at the price they got it for. But I definitely see the point the other side is making. I don't think there's any legal wrong-doing by any of the companies. Lawyers will be well paid to sort this out and I have no idea what will happen.

Now as for the issue with us, the recreational fishermen, it seems to be absolute poop that they're trying to restrict access to us. If you think about it, that would make no sense anyway.

Another issue that was pointed out to me today is that while the area in question is huge, not all of it is viable oyster habitat.

It seems to me that it was completely wacko for the GLO to sell bay bottom to anyone, but it was in the 50's, so what are you going to do? The idea was so silly that TPWD apparently never considered it when issuing leases.

Having heard both sides, I believe all of the individuals involved are good people. There's some definite government idiocy involved that's mucking everything up. How that gets ironed out remains to be seen. As recreational fishermen strictly, we have no dog in the fight. As conservationists, STORM makes some very good points that I believe should be followed through with. I have a historic affinity for oysters and I care greatly about the viability of a sustainable oyster crop. We don't want our oyster situation to end up like Chesapeake Bay's. As a general rule, I prefer less government regulation, but it is TPWD's job to make the rules for oysters, just like it is for the fish.

I won't be back on-line for a while, but if y'all could do the looking for me, I'd like to hear what you find vis-a-vis what I heard today. I've got to get out of here before the 30plus MPH winds and I've got a LOT of work to do.

[coachlaw]

Surfnfish, you can post links to anything regarding the issue.

[plugger]

Thanks Sandy .