Mad People today

[Duck Butter]

Originally Posted by chasin'tail

I realize that saltwater intrusion isn't good for a fresh water marsh. These aren't fresh water marshes, they are brackish, and after Rita, with the weirs not able to hold back the salt water. Fishing and shrimpimg was some of the best we had in decades. So yes there is a give and take with the the system with water changing back and forth. So on productivity, flow back and forth seem to be good for fish/shrimp/crabs etc. Bad for duck hunters.....

The fishing was good due to all that decaying vegetation feeding the shrimp, crabs, which supported the food chain, it would likely be good for several years but once it converts to salt tolerant vegetation, it would go downhill fast and would likely never recover naturally. Freshwater/brackish marsh is one of the most productive ecosystems there is, and the weirs were placed there to keep it that way, the good shrimping, crabbing, and fishing that occurs there is just a bonus. If the weirs were not there, the marsh would convert and you think people complain now. Enjoy the benefits now

The same with the weirs at Rockefeller, the good shrimping, crabbing, and fishing is simply lagniappe for their management for waterfowl and to keep back saltwater intrusion