OUR TEXAS OYSTER PRIORITIES
Development of Texas Oyster Task Force
The Texas Oyster Task Force is an advisory group comprised of oyster industry personnel with direct knowledge of the reefs, bays, and industry.
Develop a Better Management Plan
The current management method was implemented in 1998 and desperately needs updating to current day. This should be the first task of the Oyster Task Force: working with stakeholders to develop a new management plan based on data and science to manage all aspects of the Texas oyster.
Shell Tax Revisions
The Shell Tax is an essential part to the future of the Texas oyster industry. Currently, the oyster industry returns 1/3 of harvested oysters worth of cultch (rocks, shells) back to public reefs. This is why the industry recommends more involvement with planning and implementing. The shell tax generated by an oyster reef should be returned to the active harvest reef where the harvest was generated. VMS (vessel monitoring system) is a tool that would aid in monitoring the areas harvested and return cultch to appropriate reefs.
Bottom Lease Program Revisions
Bottom lease program has been extremely successful in Texas oyster production, reef expansion, market stability, and the overall health in Galveston Bay. Leaseholders have learned how, when and where to cultivate their private reefs. The lease program should be expanded with advice and input from current leaseholders who understand the process of building, cultivating and restoring. The lease program should expand to all the Texas bay systems.
HB-51 Revisions to Harsh Penalties
Penalties should be changed to fines and suspensions of harvest licenses, with the fees going to the restoration efforts administrated by TPW.
