CHRISTIAN CORPUS The Cultivated Oyster Mariculture (COM) rule amendments were adopted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPW) during its meeting on November 7 in Corpus Christi. These rule changes were made in order to clarify and modify the existing program rules.
Additionally, the commission gave its approval to temporarily close two oyster restoration zones in Galveston Bay in order to assist in the preservation of the reefs and to promote the recovery of oysters.
Cultivated Oyster Mariculture (COM) Rule Changes
At this time, there are twelve grow-out sites (farms) in the state of Texas that cultivate oysters and harvest them for human consumption.
Since the first official oyster harvest in April 2022, these locations have been responsible for the production of more over 1.7 million oysters that were grown in Texas mariculture.
This fledgling program in Texas is continuing to evolve, and the Texas Department of Public Works (TPWD) has examined the rules in order to lessen the burden of regulatory, and to explain compliance with federal requirements.
“Cultivated Oyster Mariculture is a burgeoning industry in Texas that offers another opportunity for businesses to get Texas oysters in the market for consumers,” said Robin Riechers, director of the Coastal Fisheries Division of the Texas Department of Water and Development (TPWD).
“The proposed changes included elements that were changed to make certain mariculture operations easier to conduct, creating greater market opportunity for use of product, allowing for easier transfer of businesses, and ensuring that Texas continues to meet all federal regulations,” the statement said more than once.
Temporary closure of oyster restoration areas in Galveston Bay
The commission not only approved the implementation of the new COM regulations, but it also gave its approval to the temporary closure of two oyster restoration areas in Galveston Bay.
During the two harvest seasons, the following oyster restoration zones in Galveston Bay will be temporarily restricted to the public:
- Galveston Bay – 543 acres
- Desperation Reef – 14 acres
- Restoration acreage – 14 acres
- Dollar Reef – 529 acres
- Restoration acreage – 139 acres
Beginning on November 1, 2026, the Galveston Bay Complex’s oyster restoration zones that have been temporarily closed to the public will once again be open for harvesting.
As a result of these interim closures, recently repaired reefs are given the opportunity to flourish and attract young oysters until the reef is in a state of health that allows it to be harvested.
In order for oyster reef restoration efforts to be successful, larval recruitment and growth must occur within the first two years of the recovery process.
The monitoring that has been done in the past by the Texas Department of Water Resources has demonstrated that these kinds of restorations are quite successful.
Reefs that have been closed for two years are healthier than comparable reference reefs that have not been restored up to nine years later.
Oysters on the Edge is a feature story that can be found in the November issue of the TPWD Magazine.
If you are interested in learning more about oysters and the ways in which they are beneficial to the ecosystem, as well as the work that the TPWD is making to restore oysters and the developing Cultivated Oyster Mariculture program, you should be sure to check out this issue.