Gulf of Mexico 



complete the growth cycle. The 

 process is labor-intensive, and 

 mortality is almost 50 percent. 



Oyster landings in Texas decreased 

 from 5.1 million pounds in 1985 to two 

 million pounds in 1989, harvested 

 from 1 .2 million acres of approved and 

 conditionally approved shellfish- 

 growing waters. In most cases, Texas 

 classifications are influenced by 

 rainfall and upstream pollution. The 

 oyster harvest has been affected 

 greatly by salinity extremes resulting 

 from drought, hurricanes, storms and 

 upstream rainfall events. The hy- 

 persaline conditions that dominated 

 most of the waters between 1 985 and 

 1990 led to widespread Dermo 

 infections. Galveston Bay suffered 

 additional declines from heavy rains in 

 1989, followed by an oil spill adjacent 

 to Redfish Bar, the most productive 

 reef in the State. However, a good 

 setting of spat now has been ob- 

 served in many parts of the Bay. 

 State agencies are working on a plan 

 to alter upstream dam releases to help 

 stabilize salinities in eastern Texas 

 estuaries. Matagorda and San 

 Antonio bays, which had less salinity 

 extremes during the period, had minor 

 harvest increases. In 1986, a red tide 

 infestation curtailed harvest and 

 reduced some stock. The State has 

 since initiated a biotoxin monitoring 

 plan. 



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