Archive for August 18th, 2009

Freshwater Inlflows, 2

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

Passport to Texas from Texas parks and Wildlife and the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program

Coastal fishing in Texas is big business.

We have a recreational fishery that brings in over a billion dollars to the Texas economy, a commercial fishing industry that brings in nearly 300-million dollars annually to the Texas economy.

Dave Buzan, former TPW coastal studies team leader, says the success of these industries depends on freshwater inflows into the gulf.

And those industries are based upon fish and shellfish that have very important life stages depending on these estuaries, and the freshwater inflows and the nutrients and sediments that freshwater inflows bring to estuaries.

Upstream water use by people, industry and agriculture, has reduced the amount of freshwater flowing into the gulf. Yet, by implementing simple water-saving strategies, we can make a difference.

We all need to take responsibility for conserving water. And it’s an individual decision. And the cumulative impact of our individual decisions will save significant water and allow that water to get into estuaries.

That’s our show … made possible by the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program…working to increase fishing, hunting, shooting and boating opportunities in Texas.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.