Let’s start with a quick lesson in estuaries. These are
places where rivers pour fresh water into salt water inlets of some kind,
making a place where the salinity is variable from pure salt water to pure
fresh water. So What? This leads to many different micro ecosystems where many
different kinds of sea life can breed and grow. Including oysters.
Oysters need water that is not salt and not fresh, in other
words a blend of the two kinds. They have very specific salinity requirements,
and any variation will lead to poor growth or no reproduction. They also need
the nutrients supplied by rivers moving decaying organic matter into the estuary.
 |
| A Dying Breed: The Oysterman |
Until 30 or so years ago, Apalachicola Bay was considered
one of the most productive bays in the world. It had been said that it would be
impossible to fish out the bay. And this may have been practically true. Then
enter the dual events of a declining rain production in the watershed for the
bay, and the unencumbered growth of Atlanta and their policy of not regulating
water usage. As a result of these factors and a few others, fresh water flow
into the bay has been reduced, and today the oyster industry is in near collapse.
The Feds are considering closing the bay for oyster harvest to “allow stocks to
rebuild”. Not good enough Feds. Not nearly good enough. That is treating the
symptom and not the cause.
The answer to restoring the productivity of the bay is to increase
the flow of fresh water to pre-collapse levels. Then the bay will take care of
itself. But in my humble opinion, the solution will not be achieved, or even
considered. Atlanta continues to grow, and yes, they have begun to implement
some minor water conservation schemes. However, the continued growth exceeds
the savings from conservation so the deficit in water flow continues to grow. And
let’s not forget Alabama. They also need water from the water shed, and they
want to grow.
The bottom line? The Bay is Screwed. Period. If you want to enjoy some really good
Apalachicola Bay oysters, you better get them this year. Because this may be
the last year for many years to come when the wonderful bivalves are available.
Image: http://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2005/03/Apalachicola.jpg
; http://floridamemory.com/fpc/folklife/fs88727.jpg
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment