The evolution of recreational fisheries management in Texas

Abstract

Over the past 20 years, the nature of the management of marine fisheries in Texas has changed substantially. Changing fishery resource conditions, the emergence and growth of recreational fishing interest groups, and increased political activity by these groups have been influential. In this paper, the evolution of fisheries management in Texas is described for three time periods (pre-1975, 1975–1981, and 1982 to the present). During each period, attention is directed to (1) relevant fisheries issues, (2) concerns and capabilities of the management agency (3) the role of special-interest groups, (4) the perceived importance of recreational fisheries, (5) the types of data collected and how they were used in political decision-making, and (6) the nature of decisions made. Also, in an effort to understand the extent to which the management philosophy of optimum sustained yield has been institutionalized in Texas, emphasis is given to the role of social-science research during this evolution. Whereas it played a minor role in major fishery allocation decisions made in 1981, 10 years later there are social-science objectives in the management agency's strategic plan and support for agency/academic research efforts.