Thursday, April 5, 2001

Running lanes could help save seagrass

The first proposed change to the Redfish Bay State Scientific Area is a step in the right direction.
   Instead of tightening restrictions, as some predicted would happen, the proposal seeks to provide more options to anglers while encouraging greater compliance.
   Running lanes through the Terminal Flats area near Aransas Pass could help steer boaters away from sensitive seagrass beds and into deeper waters, according to members of the Coastal Bend Guides Association, which proposed the measure Wednesday during a meeting of the Seagrass Task Force.
   Because Terminal Flats historically has been used as a shortcut by anglers, voluntary compliance has been low since the no-prop signs were erected several months ago. Mark Lyons, president of the guides association, believes the additional running lanes will reduce seagrass damage, promote courtesy and improve fishing.
   The Seagrass Task Force agreed.
   This could open the door for running lanes through the Nine-Mile Hole State Scientific Area. That'd be OK.
   Working out a plan
   The task force, a diverse group of anglers, business people, conservation group members and fishing guides, formed about a year ago to address issues of increasing motorboat traffic in the Coastal Bend, seagrass degradation, current and future fishing enhancement. The group decided on a five-year experiment, which involves three volunteer no-prop zones in Redfish Bay and a mandatory no-motor zone in part of Nine-Mile Hole, south of Baffin Bay and east of the Land Cut.
   Texas Parks and Wildlife commissioners accepted the group's plan last year. Commissioners are expected to vote again on the Redfish Bay change late next month.
   Changing the flats
   If adopted, the running lanes will dissect Terminal Flats into three sections. An existing north-south channel would be marked as a running lane, leading boaters into the mid-section of the state scientific area or providing drift anglers a way out.
   An east-west lane also would be marked for running when tides allow. This lane would run between islands one and two, on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway near where it intersects with the Shrimp Boat Channel at Aransas Pass. This lane would connect with the proposed north-south channel and continue eastward into deeper water called Hog Island Hole.
   TPW's seagrass coordinator Beau Hardegree, suggested that color-coded stakes could indicate the tide level in the east-west lane. In all likelihood, this lane would not be navigable by most boats during summer low tide.
   During a recent high tide, water depths averaged about 27 inches along the proposed lane.
   Meanwhile, expect more shallow-water signs in and around Redfish Bay soon. Also, by mid-May large signs describing the project and explaining the ecological importance of seagrass should be in place at 10 marinas and boat ramps between Rockport and Port Aransas.
   Nine-Mile Hole update
   Regarding the Nine-Mile Hole State Scientific Area, signs are in place, restricting all use of internal combustion engines on the west side of The Hole. Trolling motors are allowed.
   Just east of this mandatory no-prop zone, Padre Island National Seashore has established a larger voluntary no-motor zone. Signs posted in this area are identical to the mandatory signs.
   I have it on good authority that if boaters run in this voluntary zone, it will become mandatory.
   To gauge the effects of both projects, TPW has begun distributing a survey to anglers who fish those areas. Fishing habits, preferences, success/enjoyment rates and attitudes are among the items the questionnaires cover.