While recovery from the storm was still underway, the FlatsWorthy faithful noticed that some of the habitat Harvey stole or altered was made worse by unnatural, shortcut channels carved by boaters through marshes on the backsides of our barrier islands and within the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.
This realization sparked FlatsWorthy to expand its mission. The group was convinced the movement must recruit scientific partners to help clarify and direct their vision of conservation. And so FlatsWorthy, while still maintaining its original goals, evolved into a more ambitious effort to curb certain destructive behaviors that are eroding our marshes. Scientific research, spanning decades, which includes eye-opening images of San Jose and Matagorda islands, lends much credence to the group’s newfound message: Nature can best heal itself without man’s intrusion.
FlatsWorthy currently is in education and outreach mode. Principals of the group are consulting with institutions, conservation groups, and universities with the resources, background and will to show how we can become part of the solution. We plan to let the science guide us.
Yes, this may involve curbing certain traditional methods used to access shallow, remote waters. We know that some boating habits inadvertently cause damage, while other behaviors show a blatant disregard for and ignorance of the fragile habitats essential to our angling pleasure.
The founders of FlatsWorthy believe when most anglers see the cause and effect dynamics at play, much of it born out of convenience, they will choose the right path. Research can accomplish this, by empirically illustrating the consequences of our behavioral choices, both good and bad.
Ultimately, FlatsWorthy wants to broadcast this common-sense message far and wide, to change minds and improve the health and productivity of our bays, now and for the future.
So, if you’d like to help establish a set of universally accepted positive behaviors, while attaching a negative stigma to unacceptable behaviors, this movement is for you. And if you’re willing to work toward changing angling culture for the better, please join us.
