HACKED BY CYBER-ATTACK - ALPERENBTN

[jimsmarr]

October 28, 2005
Mr. Jerry Cooke
Coastal Fisheries Director
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744

Re: Proposed Rules on Redfish Bay Seagrass Protection

Dear Mr. Cooke:
I offer the following comments on behalf of the Texas Chapter of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA-TX). RFA-TX is in favor of protecting sea grass when necessary and we recognize its very vital role in the marine ecosystem. However, we are not pleased with the proposed rules for Redfish Bay seagrass protection. Mandatory “no prop” zones are not the solution to protecting Redfish Bay seagrass. Continued public education is the solution. Therefore, we are strongly opposed to the establishment of mandatory “no prop” zones. We have several serious concerns with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s handling of seagrass issues in the Coastal Bend.
First, we were told that the Sea Grass task force would be disbanded due to the fact TP&WD Legal did not feel the meetings were held according to standards set out by either Parks or the Texas Open Meetings act.
Second, staff has emphatically stated to the public that sea grass takes seven years to recover from prop scars when in fact there is evidence that sea grass can recover much sooner. TP&WD staff biologist Dennis Pridgen stated in Rockport that the sea grass beds had been photographed two years ago showing prop scaring. Upon inspection this year he was unable to locate the prop scars as evidenced in previous photo as they had repaired themselves. TP&WD must be honest with the public and fully disclose these facts.
Third, staff has stated there was zero compliance in the voluntary no prop zones. This is simply not true. Staff also testified that compliance dropped once education was dropped due to lack of funding by TP&WD in the third year. This again shows that the education program was working and will continue to work in the future.
Staff has stated that sea grass can not be planted in Texas to repair prop scars. This statement is false as evidenced by the enclosed media disk showing sea grass thriving in Galveston Bay. The area was filmed at great expense by the team from Florida that planted the grass. The Florida Company was not pleased that TP&WD was being disingenuous with its statements involving their work. Two divers were flown in to Texas in January to film the project. I was provided the copy. As you can clearly see the sea grass is alive and well.
The Redfish Bay grass planting was surrounded by mesh fence allowing dead grass to accumulate cutting off light to the transplanted grass eventually spoiling the controlled study. This was not a proper test. Mitigation of sea grass being lost due to Development or Industry in Texas has been successfully replanted in numerous areas. To state to the public sea grass can not be propagated in Texas is disingenuous.
Coastal Fisheries presented a plan to the Commission at the previous Commission meeting. During Dr. Mc Kinney’s presentation to the Commission the Agency’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer Mr. Flores constantly was shaking his head no to the proposal. This action then caused the Commission to ask for set no prop zones in the final proposal. We feel this action by Mr. Flores in a public meeting was unprofessional by staff and very discourteous to Dr. Mc Kinney. Officer Flores stating that his staff could not enforce anything but the fixed no prop zones is disingenuous. A flagrant violation is very simple to enforce if witnessed by law enforcement.
RFA Texas is astounded by the Department insisting on no-prop zones. Taking draconian measures we feel at this time is not warranted. Texas Parks and Wildlife ignored the twenty two thousand acres of distressed or destroyed sea grass habitat on St. Joseph Island due to the closing of Vinson’s Slough for twenty years. RFA Texas filed suit in federal court in the case of the St. Joseph Island sea grass loss and illegal plugging of Vinson’s Slough. RFA-TX sought judicial review on the Nine Mile Hole Scientific Area as well. We were assured the project would sunset and it did.
RFA-TX and leaders from several Texas coastal communities including Rockport, Aransas Pass, and Port Aransas are very concerned about the impact that the proposed no-prop zones and proposed fines would have on tourism. They have also indicated that they would be willing to join RFA-TX in seeking judicial review of any unjustified restrictions.
In conclusion, RFA-TX, with support of many local fishing communities, feels Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission should leave the area as it currently stands as a voluntary no-prop zone and public education efforts should be increased. Mandatory “no prop zones” are unnecessary and unjustified.

Sincerely,

Jim Smarr
RFA-TX
1890 Ranch Road 1
Stonewall, TX 78671

CC: Governor Rick Perry
TPWD Commissioners

[RWHAG78]

Don't know all the details on this issue, but have seen some previous postings on the site about this issue. I recall one kayaker in favor of the restriction. Beware it could snowball into restrictions of intrusive paddles, then feet of wade fishermen and maybe even those horrible trebble hooks hanging of those lures that will rip the seagrass out by the roots. Look at what happened to areas of the national forrests/wilderness during the past decade. There are massive restrictions on driving and even some on foot traffic.
_________________
Robert Hoffmann

[jbonorden]

I have been fishing redfish bay since the late 1950's. This no prop zone is just like the beach closure issue at Padre Island. It will create a fishing area exclusively used by a few people. I am totally opposed to it. The areas that are Voluntary now are some of the prime redfish areas.

If they want to modify the proposal and include running lanes, I could live with it. Boat Fishermen need to be able to get in and out after a drift.

[rabbit]

They have access and egress lanes. Also they tried the voluntary bit and it didnt work because nobody paid any attention to it. So you get what your looking for. MORE RESTRICTIONS.
_________________
Fishing and Kayaking its a rough life but somebody has to do it.

[Jim Smarr]

We saw compliance during the five years. Seems only TP&WD did not see compliance. 5% of the folks that violated the zones are like the general population I think are either in jail or will be soon. Most folks did observe
the no prop zones. I fished there often and did not see violations.

[jbonorden]

I cannot tell you the number of miles I poled and drifted to get out of the no prop areas legally. On calm days it takes forever. Some of those areas are almost 2 foot deep. My little aluminum boat will get up in 10 inches without hitting bottom. Seems like someone wants exclusive right to the area just like they did in Nine mile hole below Baffin.