LDWF meeting to talk about Big Lake Oysters

[Duck Butter]

Originally Posted by MathGeek

I just got the report with the 2014 oyster stock assessment data from LDWF. It looks like the 2014 oyster numbers are up slightly above the 2013 numbers. So it is possible to interpret the data as if the oyster stocks are rebounding, even though they are nowhere near the levels in 2009-2010 (before the steep decline due to high harvest pressure). It is possible that the Commission may leave next year's regulations about the same as this year's (allowing dredging in West Cove, but no harvest on the east side).

If you would like to see oyster dredging stopped in West Cove, you should make plans to attend the meeting tomorrow or contact Commission members today.

Also of interest is the map of the 2014 Gulf of Mexico dead zone, released a few days ago by LUMCON. Notice the large area of hypoxic bottom water in the Gulf between Sabine and Mermantau. The dead zone area in this region has been growing since the oyster overharvest in 2010, and review of NASA satellite images showing Chlorophyll a concentration appear to provide the explanation. (See: http://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi/l3 ) Two valuable ecosystem services provided by quality oyster reef habitats are curbing anthropogenic inputs of nitrogen and phosphorus (which fertilize algae blooms) and directly reducing algae concentrations by filter feeding on algae.

You are not trying to correlate the oyster dredging with increased dead zone now are you? Bit of a stretch



as usual