I had a similar correspondence with Mr. Banks almost a year ago.
Unfortunately, it did not go very far. I also had correspondence with Mr. Randy Lancot with the Louisiana Wildlife Federation. It is my understanding that the Sabine reef was originally closed to commercial oystering due to fecal coliform contamination. That seems to me to be the only thing that will shut down commercial oystering. I copied my e-mails below. Sorry they are rather lengthy but interesting.
I will send copies of your letter to the WLF contacts and to Mr. Lanctot.
Thanks, keep up the fight.
From Patrick Banks
Mr. Gott:
I appreciate your comments and concerns. I think we both share the same
love for our fishery resources. I wanted you to know that I am trying
to get a more robust response out to you and to others who have
contacted me. I am hopeful a response will be authorized soon by my
bosses. Thanks for your patience.
Patrick
Patrick D. Banks
Marine Fisheries Biologist
LDWF Marine Fisheries Division
225.765.2370
225.765.2489 (FAX)
-----Original Message-----
From: George Gott
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2010 9:03 AM
To: Banks, Patrick
Subject: Re: Calcasieu Lake Oyster Dredging
My methods are very unscientific but most every reef that I fish no
longer has solid oysters only a scattered few.
Please do some actual sampling not just depend estimates based on the
reported harvest figures.
I think that the problem will pretty soon take care of itself because
there won't be enough oysters left to
support commercial harvesting.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Calcasieu Lake Oyster Dredging
From: Banks, Patrick
<pbanks@wlf.la.gov>
To: George Gott
Date: 4/15/2010 11:24 AM
Thanks for your confidence and your response. Once I get all the
biological and harvest information together, I think you will see that we work diligently to monitor the situation and moderate harvest when necessary. In short, we've estimated that less than 15% of the
available oyster resource has been harvested this season (the total
harvest, however, a bit higher than normal for Calcasieu). As you
know
> from your experience there, Calcasieu Lake has a tremendous oyster
> population. Thanks again and we'll be in touch soon.
>
> Patrick
>
> Patrick D. Banks
> Marine Fisheries Biologist
> LDWF Marine Fisheries Division
> 225.765.2370
> 225.765.2489 (FAX)
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: George Gott
> Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 11:08 AM
> To: Banks, Patrick
> Subject: Re: Calcasieu Lake Oyster Dredging
>
> > Thanks for your all your hard work. I trust that you will do what is
> best for the resource.
>
> George Gott
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: Calcasieu Lake Oyster Dredging
> From: Banks, Patrick <pbanks@wlf.la.gov>
> To: George Gott
> Date: 4/15/2010 10:45 AM
>
>> Mr. Gott:>>
>> I met this morning with my bosses, including Assistant Secretary
Randy
>> Pausina, about your concerns. We are continuing to review biological
>> and harvest data, and are assessing the fisheries resources in the
>>
> lake.
>
>> Following the completion of that review, we will provide more
>> information to you. We appreciate your concern for and interest in
>>
> our
>
>> renewable natural resources in Calcasieu Lake.
>>
>> Patrick Banks
>>
>> Patrick D. Banks
>> Marine Fisheries Biologist
>> LDWF Marine Fisheries Division
>> 225.765.2370
>> 225.765.2489 (FAX)
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: George Gott
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2010 10:34 AM
>> To: Banks, Patrick
>> Subject: Calcasieu Lake Oyster Dredging
>>
>> Please stop Calcasieu Lake Oyster Dredging. They are destroying all
>>
> of
>
>> the reefs. Thanks
>>
>>
From Randy Lanctot
Thanks George for the comment. The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is
currently following its decision-making process to determine its formal
position on designation of the Sabine Reef as an oyster sanctuary.
Regarding additional (to Sabine Reef) oyster sanctuaries, it would be
possible to designate such. There would have to be sound rationale for
doing so and it would require action by the Louisiana Wildlife &
Fisheries Commission and/or the Louisiana Legislature to establish an
oyster sanctuary on public (state) waterbottoms. I am not familiar with
Commissary Point on Calcasieu Lake. If it is currently being harvested
and is a public oyster ground, it would be more difficult to take out of
production. A strong case would have to be made that it is more
valuable in terms of ecosystem services and other public benefits (storm
surge buffering, erosion control, water quality, habitat for other
marine life with significant economic and/or ecosystem value, etc.)
unharvested compared to the harvested condition at the level of harvest
currently being allowed. I think it is important for any designation of
sanctuary in coastal waters to be part of a plan for managing coastal
resources and not just an effort to swap the value of oyster production
for the value of fish/fishing habitat. If the establishment of oyster
"reefs" to help protect the shorelines of marshland, headlands and
barrier islands from erosion becomes more common as a coastal
restoration/protection strategy, it is likely that designating them as
oyster sanctuaries will be part of the process. - Randy
Randy P. Lanctot
Executive Director
Louisiana Wildlife Federation
phone/fax 225/344-6707
www.lawildlifefed.org
-----Original Message-----
From: George Gott
Sent: Sunday, December 05, 2010 8:02 PM
To:
randy@lawildlifefed.org
Subject: Sabine oyster reef
Mr. Lanctot
I would urge you to vote to preserve the Sabine oyster reef.
Would it be possible to establish a similar reef area (possibly -
Commissary Point) that is closed to oyster harvest on Calcasieu lake as
well?
Thanks,
George Gott