Wave of problems hits Texas oyster production, adding to Gulf woes
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Associated Press Newswires] By LYNN BREZOSKY August 5, 2014
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Add an oyster shortage on the Texas Gulf Coast to the problems exacerbated by the state's years-long drought.
But Texas' dry spell isn't the only reason the coastal delicacies are harder to come by lately. What was once an abundant supply of oysters in bays from Port Aransas up past Galveston has taken a succession of hits, including sediment dumps from Hurricane Ike in 2008 and continually increasing water temperatures — along with hypersalinity caused by drought and thirsty inland cities with fast-growing populations.
Heightened saltiness encourages the spread of parasites and disease.
"Drought plus a growing population equals no water entering the bays," said Bryan Legare...
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