Climate change, overharvesting hit Texas oysters
STORY: Oyster fishing is declining in Texas because of climate change and overharvesting. -November 28, 2023 at 06:38 am EST - MarketScreener
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STORY: Oyster fishing is declining in Texas because of climate change and overharvesting. -November 28, 2023 at 06:38 am EST - MarketScreener
Texas has closed the majority of its public oyster reefs for the second consecutive year due to declining populations caused by climate change and overharvesting.
For the second year in a row, Texas has closed the majority of its public oyster reefs for harvesting due to declining populations. Wildlife officials say these dwindling numbers are caused by extreme weather events fueled by climate change, as well as by overharvesting. For the oystermen who make a living from harvesting oysters in the Gulf of Mexico's Galveston Bay area during a season that normally runs from November through April, these closures mean a hit to their business.
Despite fishermen’s wishes to delay the season in hopes that oyster reefs recover from years of environmental stress, the state pushed ahead with a Nov. 1 start.
Despite fishermen’s wishes to delay the season in hopes that oyster reefs recover from years of environmental stress, the state pushed ahead with a Nov. 1 start.