Corpusfishing.com

[sikesd]

Apparently I cannot cut and paste my columns on the board anymore.

[Tyler]

[Tyler]

Here is what David Sikes wrote:

When vocal members of an angry mob proposed a coast wide seagrass protection measure I viewed the possibility of that happening to be remote at best.
The proposal came during a Texas Parks & Wildlife meeting to gather public input on the possible creation of a 15500-acre State Scientific Area north and south of the JFK Causeway.
They got an earful of input from a packed room.
If adopted, the plan would have made it illegal to uproot or dig a trench through seagrass with an outboard propeller, while allowing motorboats (with motors running) to navigate freely above the vegetation within the boundaries of the scientific area. The maximum fine for violating the rule would have been $500.
This is exactly the same arrangement 10 miles away in the 32000-acre Redfish Bay State Scientific Area where the mandatory rule has been in effect since 2006. This resulted in about a 45 percent reduction of seagrass scaring in that area.
Objections to the proposal came mostly from folks who feared the broad allowances provided by the scientific area designation. Once adopted a scientific area gives the parks and wildlife department authority to create rules for most any scientific purpose. Not just biology. The area could be used for sociological research.
The root of this fear comes from a desire of some anglers to set aside shallow areas of our bays as harassment-free zones better known as low-impact fishing areas. The most vocal proponent of this is a group called Texas Wade Paddle and Pole.
Indeed restrictions within a scientific area could include the prohibition of motorboat traffic. Department officials have said this is not necessarily their intent. And during the decade since the Redfish Bay SSA was established the department has not gone that route.
It's hard to say whether the folks who asked for a statewide seagrass rule believed their proposal actually had a shot at becoming law which would require passage by the Texas Legislature. But they viewed the statewide seagrass protection measure as an acceptable alternative to a state scientific area.
Well guess what? Texas Rep. Geanie Morrison, R-Victoria crafted just such a bill with help from the Coastal Conservation Association of Texas. And the bill passed.
When the bill goes into effect boaters would be prohibited from uprooting seagrass or digging a trench through aquatic vegetation with their propellers throughout all coastal waters. This goes for all five aquatic plant varieties, from the more common shoal grass and turtle grass to manatee grass, star grass and wigeon grass.
Violating the rule would be a Class C misdemeanor which carries a fine of up to $500.
Just as with the Redfish Bay provision there would be no restriction on running a motorboat through a seagrass meadow as long as the prop remains well clear of seagrass roots with certain exceptions.
The law exempts the uprooting of seagrass by normal use of an anchor and electric trolling motor. And here's the kicker.
Unlike the Redfish Bay rule the new statewide law allows for the incidental uprooting of seagrass while accelerating as required to get a boat up on plane or to stay on plane. Actually the bill says those activities could be a defense to prosecution.
Not sure whether that is the same thing.
But I do know we cannot legally do that in Redfish Bay.
CCA folks say they like the rule as written. Will Myers with Wade Paddle and Pole said it's a step in the right direction even if the law may be mostly symbolic.

[Oil Field Trash II]

"A step in the right direction". Hmm.

Guess they won't be satisfied until all areas are shut down to boating.

Maybe people like brine need to stage a few more fake scenarios and lie about the conditions of those situations to get their agenda passed. How about it Will? when can we expect the next scandal on the bay to go down with photos from a professional photographer that just happens to be right behind you?

[FoldCatOne]

I'll bet the clowns in Tower Boats will find that they come under greater scrutiny know though.

I wonder if they are going to do a much better job of marking existing channels such as the crash channels, etc than exist now.

[Brine]

OFT II
I've been an angler for 52 years - I know all too well when someone is trying to "bait" me ( --- and attempt to derail the OP topic for whatever personal beef they may have ) .
If you wish to discuss the facts of this new law further and in a civil manner - I am glad to do so.

[Oil Field Trash II]

[Brine]

OTF II

Since you seem interested, the WPP positions are stated clearly on our website, and have remained unchanged since 2009.

http://wadepaddlepole.net/index.html

[Oil Field Trash II]

[TroutSlayer]

[rodandroll]

It would really be great if Brine didn't come on this website and troll and try to stir things up. His post had no purpose other that to piss people off and further his elitist attitude. He obviously has his own preferred website and even has the nerve to post a link to it. Perhaps a permanent vacation from this website would be in order. Who else thinks so??
_________________
Now that food has replaced my sex life I can't even get into my own pants!!!!!!!!

Even duct tape can't fix stupid ... but it can muffle the sound!!!

[flounder daddy]

[5moreminutes]

What I am concerned about is this regulation being a stepping stone for further stricter regulations such as LIFA. Low impact fishing area-which I believe brine would be happy to see. I like yourself understand the see grass is important but the measures taken for protecting it I don't agree.

Brine likes to stir things up- here as tkf.


Yes there are pics of people running to shallow and tearing up grass. But what percentage is that to all the boats in the water?

Depending how much involvement CCA has I'm done with them. Too bad academy has such deep ties with them. I just won't buy CCA items.
_________________
Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

[Brine]

I posted an unopinionated newspaper article about a new law that will effect all coastal anglers that use power boats. Yes this may be a controversial law, but I viewed this as essential information for those who fish inland coastal waters. I posted the text of the bill in response to a direct question. Someone responded with nonfactual allegations and personal attacks, and I simply followed up with direct excerpts from a TPWD workshop report to correctly inform readers how this legislation was set in motion, and to set the record straight about who formulated and backed it.

I am on the advisory board of TWPP, and our views on seagrass protection, bay etiquette, and LIFAs are stated in black and white on our website.
If you don't agree with these positions, that's certainly your prerogative . If my holding those views, and the history of TWPP, makes me too much of a lightning rod for criticism and personal attacks here, and will cause upset each time I post, I will gladly not do so again.
Sorry for inadvertently causing any trouble .

[TroutSlayer]