Regulations Committee
Wednesday, 9:00 am, August 23, 2006
Commission Hearing Room4200 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:
- Goal 1: Improve access to the outdoors.
- Goal 2: Preserve, conserve, manage, operate, and promote agency sites for recreational opportunities, biodiversity, and the cultural heritage of Texas.
- Goal 3: Assist landowners in managing their lands for sustainable wildlife habitat consistent with their goals.
- Goal 4: Increase participation in hunting, fishing, boating and outdoor recreation.
- Goal 5: Enhance the quality of hunting, fishing, boating and outdoor recreation.
- Goal 6: Improve science, data collection and information dissemination to make informed management decisions.
- Goal 7: Maintain or improve water quality and quantity to support the needs of fish, wildlife and recreation.
- Goal 8: Continuously improve TPWD business management systems, business practices and work culture.
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.