Redfish and Specks Benefit from Limited Weir Closings

[T-TOP]

Originally Posted by BloodKnot

MG,
I am a pro-weir big lake guy. So I appreciate your thoughts and research.

Do you or anyone have an knowledge if the weirs affect the oysters any? Not sure if weirs being closed for a long period hurt the oysters, which would indirectly negatively affect the fish.

Just wanted to get your 2 cents on that.

I have been looking into the whole oyster issue for a while now. It appears that the main problem with the oysters is that the salinity levels in the lake are too high. There is data to back this up. The upcoming salinity control projects would be good for the oysters and hopefully would possibly allow the weirs to be open almost all the time.


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[MarshRat89]

Originally Posted by T-TOP

I have been looking into the whole oyster issue for a while now. It appears that the main problem with the oysters is that the salinity levels in the lake are too high. There is data to back this up. The upcoming salinity control projects would be good for the oysters and hopefully would possibly allow the weirs to be open almost all the time.


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What are they planning to do that would lower the salinity?



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["W"]

Originally Posted by MarshRat89

What are they planning to do that would lower the salinity?



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There is a group I have been in contact with That is planing to install a rock or levee system along ship channel to lower salinity by 6-8 ppt

[MathGeek]

Originally Posted by "W"

There is a group I have been in contact with That is planing to install a rock or levee system along ship channel to lower salinity by 6-8 ppt

There is little doubt that this would benefit the oyster reefs (lower salinity), the marsh (lower salinity), and the lake (weirs open more, lower volume tidal flow).

Getting the funds and approvals is a non-trivial challenge.

[MathGeek]

Originally Posted by T-TOP

I have been looking into the whole oyster issue for a while now. It appears that the main problem with the oysters is that the salinity levels in the lake are too high. There is data to back this up. The upcoming salinity control projects would be good for the oysters and hopefully would possibly allow the weirs to be open almost all the time.

There is a lot of truth here, in that the high salinities are the main problem in recovery of the oysters after the major overharvesting event on the E side in 2010.

Reducing salinity is one key issue to the future of the oyster reefs in the estuary.

But it was over harvesting rather than salinity that created the original problem back in 2010. Oyster harvesting was closed in most of the state due to the oil spill, and tremendous harvest pressure was concentrated on Big Lake.

Addressing the salinity issue will likely allow the oysters to return to historical levels.

But keeping harvests at a modest and sustainable level is also key to long term productivity of the system.

[T-TOP]

Originally Posted by MathGeek

There is a lot of truth here, in that the high salinities are the main problem in recovery of the oysters after the major overharvesting event on the E side in 2010.

Reducing salinity is one key issue to the future of the oyster reefs in the estuary.

But it was over harvesting rather than salinity that created the original problem back in 2010. Oyster harvesting was closed in most of the state due to the oil spill, and tremendous harvest pressure was concentrated on Big Lake.

Addressing the salinity issue will likely allow the oysters to return to historical levels.

But keeping harvests at a modest and sustainable level is also key to long term productivity of the system.

I think things are going in the right direction with the harvesting issues. Side note, LWF built a reef south of the old jetties that had never been harvested (15 acres) it basically died last year. No dredging had been done. I'm sure you have looked at the assessments the sample stations in the lake show zero oysters on them. It seems it would have to be the salinity levels stopping oysters from coming back not dredging. FYI i would like to see the oyster dredging stopped.

[MathGeek]

Originally Posted by T-TOP

I think things are going in the right direction with the harvesting issues. Side note, LWF built a reef south of the old jetties that had never been harvested (15 acres) it basically died last year.

Yes, salinity levels at the S end of the lake are high enough to cause a problem with no harvesting. The reefs at the N end of the lake are in better shape. Most of the LDWF sampling stations for the stock assessments are near the S end of the lake, because this is where most of the commercial harvesting occurs. There is a line running east-west near the middle of the lake N of which harvesting is closed even when the S end of the lake is open. Because the N end is closed to harvest, LDWF has less interest in rebuilding or assessing stocks in this area.

Originally Posted by T-TOP

No dredging had been done. I'm sure you have looked at the assessments the sample stations in the lake show zero oysters on them. It seems it would have to be the salinity levels stopping oysters from coming back not dredging. FYI i would like to see the oyster dredging stopped.

Right. Since there has been no dredging on the E side since 2010, dredging on the E side is not the current problem.

But note that LDWF is more interested in rebuilding reefs S of the line where oystering is allowed, rather than N of the line where reefs would be protected. Since salinity levels are lower the further N you go, it would make more sense to restore oysters N of the line. Restoring reefs S of the line in the higher salinity areas suggests that the purpose of reef restorations is focused on harvest, not habitat and ecosystem services. See the attached figure.

[T-TOP]

Originally Posted by MathGeek

Yes, salinity levels at the S end of the lake are high enough to cause a problem with no harvesting. The reefs at the N end of the lake are in better shape. Most of the LDWF sampling stations for the stock assessments are near the S end of the lake, because this is where most of the commercial harvesting occurs. There is a line running east-west near the middle of the lake N of which harvesting is closed even when the S end of the lake is open. Because the N end is closed to harvest, LDWF has less interest in rebuilding or assessing stocks in this area.



Right. Since there has been no dredging on the E side since 2010, dredging on the E side is not the current problem.

But note that LDWF is more interested in rebuilding reefs S of the line where oystering is allowed, rather than N of the line where reefs would be protected. Since salinity levels are lower the further N you go, it would make more sense to restore oysters N of the line. Restoring reefs S of the line in the higher salinity areas suggests that the purpose of reef restorations is focused on harvest, not habitat and ecosystem services. See the attached figure.

I'm sorry, but LDWF is going to build a 50 acre reef next year and it will more than likely be North of the line. They do not want to build it south of the line. LDWF has to monitor the harvest area to regulate oyster havests, so i guess it may appear that they don't care.

[MathGeek]

Originally Posted by T-TOP

I'm sorry, but LDWF is going to build a 50 acre reef next year and it will more than likely be North of the line. They do not want to build it south of the line. LDWF has to monitor the harvest area to regulate oyster havests, so i guess it may appear that they don't care.

A 50 acre reef N of the line would be awesome.

It's too bad they waited so long.

Both salinity and harvest prohibition favor long term success for reefs N of the line. Let's keep the pressure up to make sure this happens. I could see them caving to the oyster lobby and moving it S.

[Jrchip1]

Originally Posted by MathGeek

A 50 acre reef N of the line would be awesome.

I could see them caving to the oyster lobby and moving it S.

There's a bunch of greedy Lawyers out there that rationalize they're just being kind and supportive to the Cajun Culture. Yet most charge hourly and a % of the take/reward/compensation for their "expenses". And the Oyster lobby has political clout, the American Way.