Texas Parks & Wildlife Department traveled around the Texas coast this week gathering input from fishermen.
TPWD officials' goal was to get input about regulations for harvesting spotted seatrout, which were severely affected by the 2021 winter freeze. The regulations changed after the freeze because of an emergency measure, but that expired at the end of August.
According to TPWD, after the emergency measure expired, the former regulations on bag and size limits were reinstated across Texas. TPWD met with fishermen to present data they have on spotted seatrout numbers and discuss what is best for how regulations should be set.
"Everybody wants to take their fish home and that used to be fine when we had a lot less fishermen," said David Rowsey, fisherman and charter captain in the Laguna Madre and Baffin Bay. "But now that we're such high numbers, we're coming off the backside of the freeze, it's just not sustainable."
Rowsey has been fishing around the Coastal Bend for almost 35 years. He said he wants a reduction in trout limits, since there are too many people fishing recreationally and also guides who are running charters.
"There's a general consensus to lower it from five trout with a 15–25 inch slot to something in the neighborhood of two to three trout with a 15–20 inch slot. Much tighter," Rowsey said.
The emergency measure after the 2021 freeze changed the limit to three fish between 17-23 inches. That expired on August 31, changing it back to the old limit. Dr. Greg Stunz with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi's Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies said the TPWD meetings provide an opportunity for anglers to give their input.
"The Coastal Bend residents have high stakes in this trout fishery," Dr. Stunz said. "It's a major economic driver, so we want to make sure we have the best management measures in place."
Dr. Stunz said the meetings were driven by the 2021 freeze, which devastated fish populations and are still recovering. He commented during the meeting at the Island University, suggesting a conservative approach when it comes to fishery management.
"We want to be wise conservationists, good stewards of the resource and ensure that our children and their children get to experience what we have in terms of recreational fishing," Dr. Stunz said.
The meetings contained science that was combined with public input. Dr. Stunz said that can help create a sustainable fishery population. Rowsey explained there are many local fishermen concerned with the spotted seatrout population and most support lower limits. He said the meetings can help move the issue the right direction.
"It's really cool that we're having what they call scoping meetings now and they, you know, they want the public's input," Rowsey said.
Rowsey said a lot of people are operating under an honor system, holding themselves accountable when out fishing to help conserve the trout population.
The next phase after these meetings is everything that has been discussed will then go before the TPWD Commission. Dr. Stunz explained that from there they will make the ultimate decision on how to manage the fisheries.
More from 3News on KIIITV.com:
- New trial date set for Sandra Vasquez, the second person accused in Breanna Wood murder
- Utah sues TikTok, alleging it lures children into addictive, destructive social media habits
- "Tejano Couture" - Coastal Bend native making waves in the world of fashion
- Latin Cuisine: La Tequila Jalisco Mexican Restaurant
- El Obrero reopens Saturday with support of community
- Here's when you can watch the 2023 solar eclipse over Corpus Christi
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for your daily news and exclusive extended interviews.
Do you have a news tip? Tell 3!
Email tell3@kiiitv.com so we can get in touch with you about your story should we have questions or need more information. We realize some stories are sensitive in nature. Let us know if you'd like to remain anonymous.