There is a storm brewing in Galveston Bay that could affect the supply of Gulf oysters throughout the five Gulf States, as well as well national and international markets. Sustainable Texas Oyster Resource Management (STORM) has leased submerged bottomland owned by the Chamber-Liberty Counties Navigation District (CLCND) for the purpose of growing oysters bypassing the State of Texas; an action that could change the current landscape of the Texas oyster industry and possibly affect other seafood harvests.
The Navigation District lease with STORM is in conflict with current state leasing practices of private oysters beds, historically issued and administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). The 30-year CLCND lease with STORM covers more than 23,000 acres and includes current public and private oyster leases already issued by Parks and Wildlife to other harvesters.
STORM was awarded the lease after approaching the district with an offer to pay up to $69,000 a year for the exclusive rights to plant and harvest oysters on submerged land that stretches to Smith Point and extending west to San Leon in Galveston County.
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