For safety for you and the fish, mash down the barb of your hooks with pliers before you go fishing. Quickly catch, and then release fish as soon as possible. Before handling fish, wet hands to help avoid removing their protective slime. Take photos quickly, remember the longer the fish is out of water, the […]
Do you believe that everyone deserves a sustainable and adequate supply of clean, safe water for our homes, farms, and industries? Do you believe fish, wildlife, and all other aquatic life need an adequate supply of clean water, too? If so, you can help ensure this happens in Texas. Here are ways you can help […]
Many government agencies, local authorities, and private companies and organizations work on water and aquatic environments in Texas. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are responsible for monitoring water quality and for setting and enforcing water quality standards. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and various river authorities, such as […]
One of the greatest challenges facing Texas is balancing the water needs of people with the needs of our environment. We are all connected by water, and how much usable water we have for the future will depend on what we do to conserve water today. Chapter 14: Water for People and the Environment
The Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) monitors fish for the presence of environmental contaminants and alerts the public through bans (closures) and advisories when a threat to human health may occur from eating contaminated fish. In waters with consumption bans, possession and consumption of fish and/or shellfish is prohibited. A consumption advisory is […]
Do the right thing. When making a choice, ask yourself the following questions: Is it legal? Would it be good if everyone did it? Would it make you proud? Ethical behavior is more than just following fishing regulations. Ethical anglers go beyond what laws require and help others understand and obey the rules. Ethical people […]
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Officer (Game Warden) Conservation officers enforce laws that control the use of our fish and wildlife. They make sure that people who hunt or fish for recreation or who take fish or wildlife to sell do so according to all the laws. This includes making sure people have proper licenses. These […]
Understanding fish and fishing is key to understanding Texas’ aquatic ecosystems, and helps millions of Texans enjoy, appreciate, and conserve our precious aquatic resources. Chapter 13: Fishing for Conservation
Waves are usually formed when water is pushed by winds. In other words, wind energy creates waves. Waves can also be formed by energy from earth movements, such as an underwater earthquake. The water itself does not really flow along with the wave, but instead moves in a rolling fashion as the energy passes through […]
The connection between seaweed, jellyfish, and beach trash in Texas Beachgoers in Texas often remember encounters with seaweed, jellyfish, and trash found on the beach. Believe it or not, all three are frequent features of Gulf coast beaches for the same reason. All are carried along by currents and winds that push them onto Texas […]