SAN ANTONIO — August 5, 2014 — 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.
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, a natural resource specialist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. "The reservoirs aren't releasing as much water as they need to for environmental concerns."
The shortage is pushing up prices.
For Groomer Seafood, a San Antonio-based supplier, it has meant oysters are selling at a higher price.
"We still sell quite a bit of oysters. It's just that what used to cost $30 now costs probably $50," said Rick Groomer, the company's president. "It's more of a luxury."
He's noticed restaurants pulling back on selling oysters at their bars in favor of using them in entrees.
Read the full story from the Associated Press at the Houston Chronicle