GHAC "April 2009" Meeting

[Darbex]

I am going to report you Nick doing illegal stuff again.

[Nickintex]

I do not want to go to jail. You know what happens to guys like me in jail!

[Nickintex]

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/seafood/MapsPDF/ShellfishClassificationMaps/Freeport08.pdf

I don't have time to look since I am work. So yes or no on butterfly clams?

[rrocket2002]

I do not want to go to jail. You know what happens to guys like me in jail!

I thought it was the other way around?

[JStrider]

weather report is looking like we might have to all pile inside to stay out of the rain!

[Nickintex]

Better for the Tapian (FW) vs Nickintex (brackish) collection debate! People may actually be paying attention.

[Nickintex]

I thought it was the other way around?

[eklikewhoa]

Regulations for Oysters and Other Aquatic Life
Oyster Regulations

A person taking oysters is required to have a valid fishing license and a saltwater stamp endorsement.

Persons fishing with tongs or a dredge must hold a sport oyster boat license.

Oysters may be taken only from waters approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services. For more information call (800) 685-0361 or check TDSHS website.
Oysters may not be taken from marked private leases except by permission of the lessee.

Seasons:
November 1 through April 30, sunrise to sunset, coastwide.

Length and Possession Limits:
Oysters must be 3 inches or larger as measured by the greatest length of the shell.
Oysters 3/4 inch to 3 inches must be culled and returned to the reef from which taken.
Oysters 3/4 inch to 3 inches may not make up more than 15% by number of oysters in possession.
No more than 2 sacks of legal oysters may be possessed per person. A sack is defined as 110 pounds of oysters including the sack.

Devices:
Oysters may be taken by hand, with tongs or by oyster dredge.
Oyster dredges may not be more than 14 inches in width.
For more information about oysters

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other Aquatic Life (Fresh & Salt Waters)
Aquatic life, except threatened and endangered species, not addressed in this guide may be taken only by hand or with the devices defined as lawful for taking fish, crabs, oysters, or shrimp in places and at times as provided in this guide
In public waters, a fishing license and freshwater fishing stamp endorsement is required to take mussels, clams, crayfish and other aquatic life for personal use. In salt water, a saltwater fishing stamp endorsement is required with the fishing license.
A hunting license is required to hunt non-protected turtles and frogs. (see sections on hunting license and nongame species )
Clams, Mussels and Other Molluscan Shellfish taken from public salt waters may be taken only from waters approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS). Maps identifying approved areas may be obtained from the TDSHS Seafood and Aquatic Life Group, (512) 834-6757. Additional information concerning area closures may be obtained 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling (800) 685-0361.
Consumption of Clams and Mussels taken from public fresh waters is prohibited by the TDSHS.
No more than 25 pounds of whole mussels and clams, or 12 pounds of mussel and clam shells may be taken per day for personal use and consumption only.
Mussels and clams may only be taken by hand.
Freshwater mussels of the following species may be taken only when they will not pass through a ring with an inside diameter (I.D.) specified for that species.
Freshwater Mussels Species and ring size for inside diameter

SPECIES Ring ID in Inches
Washboard 4.00
Threeridges and roundlakes 2.75
Mapleleafs and pimplebacks 2.75
Tampico pearlymussel 2.75
Bleufer 2.75
All Other Species of Freshwater Mussels 2.50

More information on harvesting freshwater mussels and clams, including areas closed to harvest, can be obtained by calling TPWD in Austin at 512-389-4444.

[Nickintex]

So in sum? Butterfly clam ok or no? They are less than an inch across and found in salt and brackish water.

[JStrider]

shouldnt all that be in the thread about the collecting trip? :-p

looking forward to the meeting!

bring chairs! I'm pretty short on seating whether we're inside or out.

[Nickintex]

shouldnt all that be in the thread about the collecting trip? :-p

Yes, you are right James, my bad.

looking forward to the meeting!

So am I. Are we celebrating anyone's B-day this month?

[JStrider]

Are we celebrating anyone's B-day this month?

Well kims bday was earlier this month...

but since she's not coming I'm sure we can find something else to celebrate...

[SteveCGG]

Hey...is there going to be a raffle or something?

[Nickintex]

Well kims bday was earlier this month...

but since she's not coming I'm sure we can find something else to celebrate...

Somebody else's b-day this month I'm sure. Who's jumping out of the cake?

[Nickintex]

Hey...is there going to be a raffle or something?

There's always a raffle at our meetings. Being that we have a collection trip in June you just gave an idea. maybe someone will be kind enough to donate some collecting supplies for the raffle. Things like minnow traps, nets, oxygen tabs, bait saver solution, etc