84R31699 BPG-D
By: Guillen H.C.R. No. 131
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Drought conditions, natural disasters, and
overharvesting have had a negative impact on the state's oyster
population, but the certificate of location program administered by
the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department provides a valuable
mitigating effect; and
WHEREAS, Designation of an oyster bed as private is achieved
through a certificate of location, sometimes referred to as a
private oyster lease; the holder of the certificate has the ability
to protect his or her oysters from poaching during the time period
covered by the certificate; and
WHEREAS, Decades ago, Texas Parks and Wildlife was granted
exclusive authority to designate an oyster bed as private in order
to discourage oyster harvesters from fishing in areas of Galveston
Bay closed by the state health department; as filter feeders,
however, oysters have the ability to purge themselves of
contaminants if they are relocated to safe waters; a certificate of
location gives the holder the right to move oysters from restricted
or polluted waters to a specific location to allow for the
depuration of the oysters to meet the consumption standards set by
the Texas Department of State Health Services; and
WHEREAS, Coastal fishery experts have found that the
certificate of location program is beneficial to both the
$3 billion oyster industry and to the public; private lease owners
have the assurance that they will reap the benefits earned by the
careful cultivation of their oyster beds, while consumers have
greater confidence that their oysters are safe to eat; moreover, by
naturally removing contaminants from their environment, oysters
enhance recreation, tourism, and businesses that rely on clear gulf
water; and
WHEREAS, At present, the certificate of location program
encompasses only a few leases within just one bay, and current
leases are due to expire in 2017; by extending and expanding the
program, Texas Parks and Wildlife can help revitalize a struggling
resource and contribute immeasurably to the future health of an
industry; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby urge the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to extend and
expand its certificate of location program for oyster harvesting;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward an
official copy of this resolution to the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Commission.