Actually, what is also a big factor on that graph that is not represented is how saline even Big Lake got during those years from 2010 through 2015.. It allowed the oysters higher salinity predators to come into those areas where the oyster habitat is and just decimated it. That is the real reason for the decline. Last winter that ended with the return of large fresh flows. Granted the current fresh flows are a little too much and will kill even more oyster / reduce the spawn significantly as well. We count a lot on oysters to provide great habitat for speckled trout and redfish. It'll come back over time but it's going to take a bit.
tobin@troutsupport.com