Regulations Committee

Wednesday, 9:00 am, August 23, 2006

Commission Hearing Room
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744
Item No. Subject Commission Meeting Agenda Item No.
  Approve previous Committee Meeting minutes.  
1. Land and Water Plan Update
Staff: Robert Cook
Committee Only
2. Spotted Seatrout
Staff: Larry McKinney
Committee Only
3. License Buyback Program
Staff: Robin Riechers
Committee Only
4. Amendments to Harmful or Potentially Harmful Exotic Fish, Shellfish and Aquatic Plants Regulations
Staff: Joedy Gray
15

Committee Agenda Item No. 1
Presenter: Robert L. Cook

Regulations Committee
Land and Water Plan Update
August 2006

I. Executive Summary: Executive Director Robert L. Cook will briefly update the Commission on the status of the agency’s efforts to implement the Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (the Plan).

II. Discussion: In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature directed that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) develop a Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (Tex. Park & Wild. Code §11.104). In November 2002, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (the Commission) adopted the first Plan. A revised Plan was adopted by the Commission in January 2005. The Plan is available on the TPWD web site. Executive Director Robert L. Cook will update the Finance Committee on TPWD’s recent progress in achieving the Plan’s Goals and Objectives as they relate to the Regulations Committee.

The Plan consists of 8 Goals and a total of 56 Objectives. The Goals stated in the Plan are as follows:


Committee Agenda Item No. 2
Presenter: Larry McKinney

Regulations Committee
Spotted Seatrout
August 2006

I. Executive Summary: Spotted seatrout is one of the top two species sought by recreational anglers along the Texas coast. The trends indicate the overall population is healthy throughout the state; however, the Lower Laguna Madre continues to show trends that cause concern. The trends in that region show a reduction in overall spawning stock biomass and a reduction in overall abundance. While this fishery is still at relatively high levels compared to other bay systems, the Coastal Fisheries Division has been doing some preliminary scoping in the area to explore options aimed at reversing these trends. A summary of the issues and options will be presented.


Committee Agenda Item No. 3
Presenter: Robin Riechers

Regulations Committee
License Buyback Program
August 2006

I. Executive Summary: The inshore shrimp license buyback program established with the inshore shrimp fishery limited entry plan has been buying and retiring licenses since 1996. The program was established to purchase licenses from willing sellers to reduce the overall inshore shrimping effort. The reduction in effort would create a sustainable shrimp fishery for Texas and reduce shrimp trawl bycatch. A summary of the current status of the program will be provided.