Oyster Overharvesting in Calcasieu Estuary in 2010- 2011: References needed

["W"]

Originally Posted by MathGeek

We've completed the data analysis from our creel survey data from 2011 and 2012 relating to the Calcasieu Estuary. The data and other background suggests that the dominant factor most likely responsible for the decline in the condition factor of fish and slow growth is the overharvesting of oysters from Calcasieu Lake in the 2010-2011 oystering season. We're writing up our results now and hope to have a draft ready to submit for publication in a few weeks.

We've found a number of relevant LDWF press releases and also the info and reports at the CCAL site and popular press, as well as a relevent LSU Master's Thesis by Steven Beck. The purpose of this post is to request pointers to additional references or study results regarding the overharvesting of oysters in Calcasieu Estuary at any time from 2005 to the present, but especially in 2010-2011. Certainly pointers to references related to other possible causal factors would be appreciated as well.

1st season they went to dregging it was over harvested

[Duck Butter]

It has been very difficult to get any actual data from LDWF especially since the oil spill, they have been issued a gag order from their attorneys. You can sometimes go to lsu.edu in the natural resources department and look at theses and dissertations under the students' major professor. They sometimes have them as a .pdf file under their profile. Sending you a PM

[MathGeek]

Originally Posted by Duck Butter

It has been very difficult to get any actual data from LDWF especially since the oil spill, they have been issued a gag order from their attorneys. You can sometimes go to lsu.edu in the natural resources department and look at theses and dissertations under the students' major professor. They sometimes have them as a .pdf file under their profile. Sending you a PM

LDWF has been very tight with the info. We've gotten a couple of letters in legalese from their attorneys in response to requests for info. Thanks for the hints and the PM.

[MathGeek]

Originally Posted by "W"

1st season they went to dregging it was over harvested

My understanding is that dredging became legal in 2005. Certainly, dredging has a negative impact on the reef structure and benthos that make the reef their home. However, are you aware of any hard evidence or published assertions from reliable sources suggesting over-harvesting prior to 2011?

As much as I respect your opinion, I don't think I can cite "W at Salty Cajun said so" in a scholarly paper.

[Duck Butter]

Originally Posted by MathGeek

My understanding is that dredging became legal in 2005. Certainly, dredging has a negative impact on the reef structure and benthos that make the reef their home. However, are you aware of any hard evidence or published assertions from reliable sources suggesting over-harvesting prior to 2011?

As much as I respect your opinion, I don't think I can cite "W at Salty Cajun said so" in a scholarly paper.

I got a chuckle out of that

[TNP]

Originally Posted by Duck Butter

I got a chuckle out of that

Is there any data??

[Duck Butter]

Originally Posted by TNP

Is there any data??

Who knows? Not sure about Calcasieu Lake, but there is data from the other side of the state but its probably the cultch data where they seed em on that side. LSU has a good coastal program so it would make sense for them to have better data on that side. Sabine Lake on the other hand is supposed to be home to an incredible oyster reef, one of the last remnant natural reefs and Texas has made it known that no harvest will take place on this reef and La has also agreed to it on our side, but not with the passion that TX had. Oysters seem to really be political. The secretary of LDWF gave a talk a couple weeks back and he wanted so bad to tell it like it was but kept talking about a gag order that was issued since the oil spill.

[MathGeek]

Thanks for the tips and pointers and encouragements. Found the hard data I need here:

http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/d...ent-report.pdf

and

http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/d...assessment.pdf

These are the official state oyster stock assessments.

The graph below shows the decline in oysters on the east side of Calcasieu Lake (Area 29).

[Duck Butter]

Wow, what does the E sack and E seed exactly mean? and how did assess the stock? Thanks

Looks like it rebounded fairly quick after 2006