2023 in Full Swing

Advocacy

The 88^th legislative session is in full swing, and at the time of writing this update, the March 10^th bill filing deadline is fast approaching. While this isn’t an all-encompassing bill watch review, there are a few noteworthy items that deserve our immediate attention.

Senate Bill 1

Senate Bill 1 is the general appropriations bill which appropriates monies from the Treasury to support branches of state government and state agencies, including Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. This session, TPWD has approached the legislature requesting for help with inflationary cost increases, staff compensation, capital construction and repair needs, oyster fishery concerns, land conservation, and game warden needs. To partially address concerns with the oyster fishery, TPWD has requested three million dollars to expedite participation in the voluntary oyster license buyback program.

Oyster Leases: Senate Bill 1032/House Bill 2475

Sponsored by Senator Lois Kolkhorst and Representative Todd Hunter, this bill would clarify the definition of a “natural oyster bed” and clearly give TPWD authority to expand oyster leasing opportunities for both harvestable commercial operations and non-harvestable restoration activities. There has been overwhelming support from both the commercial oyster fishery and the conservation community to expand leases, a suggestion that was clearly communicated in a letter that was submitted to the TPW Commission in 2021. Passage of this bill would be a huge win for our bays systems, guaranteeing more oysters in the water and more opportunities to invest in the health of our bays.

Oyster Mariculture: House Bill 1260 and House Bill 1809

Currently, two oyster mariculture (oyster aquaculture/farming) bills have been filed and both aim at improving efficiencies within the industry. House Bill 1260 by Representative Coby Vasut would allow oyster farmers to clean their cages on the water, rather than bring them to land. Cleaning oyster cages on the water is a very common practice in other states but has been discouraged here in Texas because of existing TCEQ regulations. House Bill 1809 by Representative Hunter would create a Cultivated Oyster Mariculture Advisory Board with appointments made by the Governor’s Office. As currently written, the bill would prescribe the board makeup with four members being in the oyster mariculture or seafood industry and the other three being in the scientific and conservation community.

First Quarter Happenings

The first quarter has been a busy one as usual.  At the time of this writing, CCA Texas has held six local chapter events.  Attendance and support have both been strong and are signaling another successful year on the fundraising standpoint.  We encourage our local chapter membership to be involved with the local chapters, whether it is in the banquet planning process, attending our Angler’s Night Out events, or taking part in a local community conservation projects. 

CCA Texas members and recreational anglers all along the Texas coast participated in the Annual Crab Trap Cleanup held on February 18, 2023. The Galveston, San Antonio, Copano and Aransas Bay systems continued to be prime target areas for derelict traps.  While there are traps every year, the numbers continue to dwindle down for the annual event.  Outreach to the industry with shared data collected from the events has helped educate and encouraged the industry to be good stewards of the resource, and continue working towards a minimal derelict trap issue.  Many thanks to all our CCA Texas members and those of other organizations that continue to participate in this effort annually.

The 28^th Annual Billy Sandifer Big Shell Beach Cleanup was held February 25, 2023.   A large turnout of volunteers from across the state turned out for the annual event.  The 2023 event was a resounding success as an amazing 2,500 people showed up and cleaned the beach. It was a beautiful day, and 32 miles of beach were cleaned, filling 7 dumpsters full of trash.  Thanks to all that showed up for this event, and a special thanks to all of the support sponsors that help make this event happen.

CCA Texas and other like organizations offer many opportunities to be involved in the conservation of our Texas coastal resources.  We all encourage you to take the time and be a part of the effort to conserve these resources for present and future generations.  For more information about CCA Texas, be sure to visit www.ccatexas.org, search us Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.