Redfish Bay

Features

Redfish Bay is found at N 27.9078 and W -97.11277. Overall, it is extremely shallow, and contains several small islands, salt marshes, channels, and shallow mudflats. The bridge from Aransas Pass to Port Aransas splits the bay into two sections.

Ecosystem

The northernmost extensive beds of seagrass in Texas, including turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) and shoal grass (Halodule beaudettei), are found in the bay. In June 2000, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department designated the bay as a scientific area to study the seagrass, as a result, the Redfish Bay State Scientific Area was established. By May 2006, new boating regulations were put in place to prevent damage to the grass. Every February since 2007, the city of Aransas Pass holds the Redfish Bay Trash Parade and Coastal Cleanup, an event that encourages the removal of trash and waste from the bay. In 2009, 90 volunteers cleared three pickup loads of trash that included syringes, construction hard hats, ribbons, and deflated balloons.

The bay contains 32000 acre of fish habitat, and is a popular fishing destination along the Texas Coastal Bend. Between 1975 and 1987, millions of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) were stocked in the bay. Along with the drum, flounder can be found, as well as seatrout (Cynoscion species), which dwell in the seagrass and muddy bottoms. Red tides have been known to affect the bay, including a 1986 tide that resulted in a major fish kill. Months later, another tide swept the bay and Corpus Christi Bay to the south. A fish-killing microorganism was found in Corpus Christi Bay that was believed to be responsible.

Industry

Petroleum has been found at the bottom of the bay. In December 1983, three people were injured and between $2 and $3 million of damage was done to the Corpus Christi Oil Refining Corporation's Redfish Bay Terminal near the bay in Aransas Pass, following an explosion of five oil tanks.

References

References

1. (2010). "Redfish Bay USGS Estes Quad, Texas, Topographic Map". Demand Media, Inc.
2. (2009). "Fishing Redfish Bay & Port Aransas". Texmaps and Carson Map Company.
3. (February 9, 2007). "Redfish Bay State Scientific Area". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
4. (December 30, 2009). "Ingleside Index reviews 2009". Ingleside Index.
5. Baird, Mike. (February 22, 2009). "Volunteers wave goodbye to stash of trash". Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group.
6. (February 22, 2007). "Stocking History for Redfish Bay (Aransas Bay)". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
7. Sikes, David. (December 18, 2009). "Coastal Bend Fishing Report: 12.18.09". Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group.
8. (January 9, 1987). "Texas hit by red tide again". Associated Press.
9. (December 17, 1983). "Oil Tanks Explode, Injuring 3". New York Times.