Our Ocean, Our Livelihood

A number of Texas organizations are dedicated to restoring, maintaining and improving the environmental health of our endangered oceans
By Rebecca Esparza

It seems that in some ways, very little is actually known about our oceans. They’re so deep, so large and can be so mysterious. But the perception that we’ll have them around forever is far from the truth.

Here is what we do know: Abuses such as overfishing, population growth, pollution and global warming are destroying what was once thought to be an endless supply of water.

Making matters worse, most people fail to see the connection between preserving what is left and its impact on our livelihood and business.

As the largest of the contiguous states, Texas has more than 624 miles of coastline and nearly 5,000 square miles of fresh water -- more than any other state, except Alaska. Therefore, any negative impact on our oceans would affect Texans significantly and have repercussions in numerous industries, from tourism and commercial fishing to port industries and deep-sea
drilling.

“Over the past decade, we have seen a 90 percent drop in the existence of some ocean species,” notes Dr. Robert Furgason, director of the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (HRI). “The smaller species in particular have almost been totally depleted. What looked like an almost endless source of certain species is coming to an end.”

HRI, an organization based at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, is dedicated to supporting and advancing the long-term sustainable use and conservation of the Gulf of Mexico.

“With 40 percent of all seafood consumed in the U.S. coming from the Gulf of Mexico, the time has come to search somewhere else or we will be headed into a downward spiral,” he continues. “[Overfishing] is just another thing that has a long-term effect on the overall health of our oceans. It will also have a negative impact on seafood prices, which of course will end up affecting restaurants and possibly even tourism.”

Furgason says that sustaining our lakes and rivers is vital to maintaining the overall health of the ocean. He points out that freshwater from across the country feeds into the Mississippi River, and eventually makes it ways into the Gulf of Mexico and the ocean. For decades excess plant nutrients from Midwest farms have entered these waters and contributed to the prevalence of hypoxia in the oceans. Hypoxic waters have low oxygen and typically a large amount of algae which decrease the sunlight needed to create a healthy habitat for fish and other aquatic animals.
“At the mouth of the Mississippi River, there is a ‘dead zone’ where fisheries cannot even exist,” continues the scientist. “All of that funnels its way down into the Gulf of Mexico and eventually impacts shipping and all of the ports along the Gulf Coast.”

Invasive species (marine life not natural to the area) also begin to smother out native species, he adds.

Probably the most significant resources provided by the Gulf of Mexico are oil and gas, says Furgason, pointing out that the United States gets 95 percent its oil and gas from this region.

Another issue having an impact on our oceans is population growth. It’s estimated that 50 percent of the nation’s population lives within 50 miles of the ocean; and statistics show that the fastest growth area is along the Gulf of Mexico. But with an increase in population comes a host of environmental concerns.

“The rapid rise in popularity of land near the coast is leading to the demise of some important wetlands,” says Furgason. “We need better planning that accounts for minimizing the impact of economic development.”

In the past, destroying wetlands was considered a good thing to do as they were considered swampy, mosquito-filled nuisances. Then Hurricane Katrina proved that theory wrong, he notes. Wetlands are “nature’s way of maintaining environmental integrity. They protect inland areas from large storm surges.” 

In fact, the devastating effects of winds and flood surge associated with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the Gulf of Mexico had repercussions as far north as Mississippi.

“The commercial seafood industry, already on the decline for a number of reasons, was further crippled as a result of damage to vessels and docks,” explains Dr. Rex Caffey, associate pro-fessor and director for the Center for Natural Resource Economics & Policy. It operates out of the Department of Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness at Louisiana State University.

“Fishermen who were able to fish immediately after the hurricanes experienced problems selling the product due to the decimation of the sector,” he adds.

Reliable estimates on exactly how many fishermen, dealers and processors were affected by the two hurricanes may never be quantified because so many people were geographically displaced and could not be counted. However, it’s estimated that the destruction in terms of economic impact will most likely surpass $2 billion throughout the Gulf Coast.

In addition to the utilitarian usefulness of the ocean, we’ve managed to find myriad other ways to enjoy the benefits of this natural wonder.

For example, consider recreational fishing. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department it has an immense and positive economic impact on the state, contributing more than $1.5 billion each year in direct angler spending on food, lodging, transportation and equipment.
Some of the nation’s prime spots for saltwater and freshwater fishing are in Texas. From fly fishing for rainbow trout to competing in high-dollar fishing tournaments, anglers from around the globe find recreational fishing havens in the various lakes, rivers, streams, bays and inlets located throughout the state.

In recent years, the popularity of marketing statewide natural resources has gained momentum in the form of “eco-tourism,” a phrase coined to describe tourist-geared outings with a nature aspect. Activities considered as eco-tourism (or “nature tourism”) include recreational fishing, bird watching, and even boating excursions with the purpose of watching whooping cranes or dolphins.

Miles Phillips is an extension program specialist for nature tourism of the Texas Cooperative Extension in College Station. He explains that the economic impact of eco-tourism on the state of Texas is tremendous. “It’s a $5.28 billion industry and covers a lot of activities. We help local communities develop their programs to attract more visitors and add to their overall economic development.” 

Although eco-tourism is a growing segment of the tourism industry, it’s been around for years under the guise of different labels and names.
“We’ve always had tourist attractions like dude ranches, hunting expeditions and hiking trails,” Phillips continues, “but communities are now more creative about how they are marketing and packaging these offerings.”  Top eco-tourism hot spots include Port Aransas, Rockport and the Rio Grande Valley, he adds.

In particular, South Padre Island offers thrill-seeking visitors a varied array of nature-loving experiences, including sunset cruises in glass-bottom boats, parasailing, snorkeling, and photo safaris with birds and dolphins.

According to Furgason, the Harte Research Institute is a leader among organizations dedicated to changing and conserving the state’s natural resources; activity that must involve policymakers to make a long-lasting, effective impact.

“We need to start designated marine protected areas, basically deciding where the crucial areas are,” he relates. “Marine policy and law is one of the areas we are focused on along with conservation and ecology.” 

Furgason adds that the institute will also continue to encourage a tri-national approach involving the United States, Mexico and Cuba “to further understanding of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem, and promote excellence and innovation in interdisciplinary scientific research.”

The state of Texas has made fish preservation a priority since at least 1874, when it passed a law putting restrictions on netting. Just five years later it established the Texas Fish Commission to control fishing and enact laws ensuring its protection. In 1929 that agency became the Game, Fish and Oyster Commission, then in 1963 merged with the State Parks Board to form the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Although affecting change through advocacy is a key element of protecting our natural resources, coastal fisheries management strategies also make a significant difference.

Mark Fisher is the science director for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Coastal Fisheries Division; a government entity responsible for marine fishery resources within Texas’ four million acres of saltwater. Those resources include the state’s bays and estuaries as well as the waters extending nine nautical miles into the Gulf of Mexico. Specifically, the Division’s geographical area starts in Mexico, goes north all along the Texas coastline to Louisiana, and includes five counties inland.

Texas has the longest running and most extensive fisheries management program in the world, he notes. “We’re focused primarily on sustaining fisheries populations at levels necessary to ensure adequate stocks of commercially and recreationally important species.” 

Along with habitat restoration and conservation, the coastal fisheries unit also ensures adequate health and productivity for fish, wildlife and plant resources. “Since 1975, we’ve used the same gear, the same way, consistently. So over time, we’ve been able to record everything and monitor changes in marine life over a long period of time.”

The division’s employees have encountered literally hundreds of fish species in Texas waters, including red fish, flounder and one of the most popular sport fish, the spotted sea trout. “We regulate what is taken out, and over the past 25 years populations of red fish and spotted sea trout in particular have doubled because of our efforts,” says Fisher.

Measuring harvests of fish and intercepting anglers to make sure they are catching fish within their limits are part of Fisher’s everyday duties.
“We look at what they’ve caught, particularly at commercial landings, and have them report their catches to us,” he explains. “We also have a science program where we look at the life history of different organisms in Texas bays.”

Jarrett “Woody” Woodrow, Jr. serves as director of the coastal conservation program (based in Galveston County), which is also under the Coastal Fisheries Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. He partners with agencies and project partners to minimize adverse impacts on habitats.

The coastal conservation program also responds to chemical or oil spills to reduce damage to area wildlife. “We investigate mortalities in our habitats, seeking the responsible party, looking for restitution and even pursuing legal proceedings to get compensation.”

Woodrow believes oil companies and resource agencies are acting responsibly in this area. “The risk of oil spills is getting pretty low because they are minimizing the opportunity for accidents.”

Water quality and minimizing damage to natural resources is of great concern to all parties involved, he explains, including industries.

“For instance, if a new liquefied natural gas facility is proposed along the coast, we look at ways to diminish their environmental impact. We’ve also overseen restoration projects along the Galveston Bay area, as well as up and down the coast, restoring wetlands and sea grasses.”

Additionally, the program is responsible for nearly $10 million worth of wetland restoration work. “We work to develop projects that are meaningful to not only our stakeholders, but our natural resources, as well.”

Woodrow cautions people to take action now to protect our oceans before it’s too late. From a natural resources perspective, “it’s important we start having discussions for changes we can expect for the future,” he notes. “We’ll double in population within the next two decades, so we need to think about how to minimize the negative impact of that situation.” 

He stresses the importance of people learning how to enjoy fishing, kayaking, bird watching and similar activities in a way that allows economic prosperity and, at the same time, maintains the environment.

Encouraging citizens to be more aware of the value of oceans and other natural resources is the goal of the Texas Master Naturalist program, developed through a partnership between the Texas Cooperative Extension and the Texas Parks and Wildlife. This grassroots-based training program uses volunteers to share their knowledge of conservation with their neighbors, schools and other community-based organizations.
Robert Marraro, a certified Texas master naturalist, says the Coastal Bend area in particular is one of the most bio-diverse ecosystems in the country. “There is a reason why the water along the coast is as dark as it is, because it is teeming with plankton, the most basic element of the food chain.”

Biologists estimate the Gulf of Mexico is home to more than 300 species of fish. Cool Gulf waters plunge an estimated 12,000 feet in depth, where they stimulate growth and are known to be prime fishing zones.

Marraro explains that water here has the ability to produce more life and rich food sources. Marine life feeds on plankton, including small fish, squid and shrimp. “Bigger fish eat the shrimp and so on....It’s a chain of events like this that keeps our oceans healthy. It’s a necessary thing. But when this doesn’t happen, it puts everything out of whack,” he warns. “Unfortunately, this is happening more and more.”

The discharge of high phosphates, fertilizers, and sewage runoff causes organisms in the water to die and makes water toxic to plants, fish and surrounding habitat.

Making a difference in protecting our environment is not as hard as it may sound. “It doesn’t take much effort to make a difference,” adds Marraro. “Fertilize your yard only when needed and only in recommended amounts. Don’t discharge chemicals or plant materials or any other foreign waste into our storm water drains. Everything dumped here eventually ends up in our waterways.”

Global warming and the melting of the icecaps will soon begin to impact the ocean’s cycle of currents, he believes, and along with those changes could come “some out-of-the-ordinary events.”

The Texas Gulf Coast is becoming a more popular place to live everyday, thanks in part to increasing housing costs on the West and East Coasts. Residential bayside views which are simply unattainable for many in places like California and Florida are within reach in the Lone Star State.

And although developers may be ecstatic about the sudden growth, rapid development also means loss of pristine shoreline. The situation is almost at a crisis level now, as the Army Corps of Engineers estimates 60 percent of the Texas shore is eroding.

 “We’re losing shoreline habitat at a very fast pace, which not only affects water quality, but also water quantity,” says Fisher. “A lot of places being developed were once rural not too long ago and have seen tremendous growth just in the past five to ten years.” 

Somehow, Texans must collectively support those people who want to earn a living from the oceans while simultaneously help protect and preserve the coastal environment for tomorrow’s generation.

Sums up Furgason: “We need to find ways to balance the demands on the Gulf with ways to ensure we don’t destroy what we have.”

Rebecca Esparza is a Corpus Christi-based freelance writer.