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Oyster Haversting in Galveston Bay
Oysters filter bacteria from the water as they feed. As a result, bacterial contamination of a water body will be concentrated in oysters. If bacteria are present, then more dangerous pathogens may also be present, so consumption of contaminated oysters poses health risks.
If oysters are contaminated, or if the areas around oyster beds have a high potential for contamination, the Texas Department of State Health Services will either close or limit these areas to commercial fishermen and the general public. Currently, about half of the bay is subject to some form of oyster-harvesting restriction by the DSHS.
To view a map of shellfish classification in harvestin areas, click here.
The current status of shellfish harvesting areas may be obtained from your local Texas Parks and Wildlife office or by calling, toll-free, 1-800-685-0361.
Texas Parks and Wildife posts the Regulations for Oysters and Other Aquatic Life on their Web site at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/fish/oysterreg/.
For help with a pdf file, click here.
What the Estuary Program Is Doing
The Galveston Bay Estuary Program is collaborating with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's Total Maximum Daily Load program to involve area stakeholders in the project through public meetings and notices in print and electronic media. TCEQ staff from the TMDL Program convene meetings in the Houston-Galveston area to inform citizens who live in chronically affected watersheds — specifically those water bodies where bacteria are the indicator for impairment.
Currently, there is a TMDL for bacteria in Galveston Bay. For more information about the Galveston Bay Oyster Waters TMDL project, click here.
What does the TMDL program do?
TMDLs are a regulatory tool for restoring impaired watersheds (those that do not meet federal water quality standards). The tasks of the TMDL program include setting a water quality target, quantifying existing loads and the reductions required to meet water quality criteria, assessing pollution sources, and allocating allowable loading among point sources (permitted facilities) and nonpoint sources (unregulated stormwater and direct deposition). The program also offers support to local and area participants involved in developing the implementation plan. Fore more infromation about the TMDL program, click here.
What You Can Do
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