Author Archives: John P. O'Connell

Captain’s bLOG

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Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Season to Open July 15 AUSTIN – The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both state and federal waters will open 30 minutes after sunset Monday, July 15.  The opening date is based on an evaluation of the biological, social and economic information to maximize the benefits to the industry and the public. In making its determination, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Coastal Fisheries Division used the best available scientific information including samples collected by using trawls and bag seines in TPWD… Read More →

Captain’s bLOG

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“BREAK THE GRIP OF THE RIP” Remembering this quote may save a life. Rip currents are channels of water flowing away from the beach. Rip currents can form on any beach with breaking waves, including the Great Lakes. They form when water piles up between breaking waves and the shore. The piled water returns to the sea in a narrow stream of fast moving water.  The speed of the returning water is not always fast, but dangerous rip currents are fast moving.ave Swimmers drown when pulled away from… Read More →

Captain’s bLOG

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DRIFT CARDS USED TO HELP RESEARCHER UNDERSTAND SURFACE CURRENTS. Texas A&M University researcher, Dr. Joseph Kuehl is asking the public’s help! The Gulf Integrated Spill Research consortium is researching the surface currents of the Gulf of Mexico. In the coming months, bright yellow drift cards will be released into the Gulf of Mexico. These environmentally friendly cards will eventually be washed ashore. This is where the help of the public is needed! If you find one of more of these cards while visiting a gulf beach report it… Read More →

Captain’s bLOG

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SURFSIDE JETTY RECEIVES FOUR BINS FOR USED FISHING LINE Surfside Jetty has joined the Texas Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program. Personnel at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations’ Sea Turtle Lab in Galveston placed four bins with signs along the north jetty.  Since sea turtles can become entangled in fishing line and drown. A sign informs anglers on what they should do if they see a sea turtle entangled or hooked. The need for collection bins was great as the jetty is a favorite fishing spot for anglers…. Read More →