July 2, 2020

Texas Comptroller’s Office Publishes Next Installment of Matagorda Bay Economic and Ecological Resources Report

(AUSTIN) — The Texas Comptroller’s Natural Resources program has launched the second of six installments of the Matagorda Bay Economic and Ecological Resources Report. The interactive StoryMap synthesizes ecological background and economic analysis to complement ongoing research for the Matagorda Bay Ecosystem Assessment.

In this installment, the Natural Resources program introduces open-water bay habitat – wide stretches of shallow water between oyster reefs, seagrass beds and barrier islands. The installment also:

• details the physical and biological characteristics that make open-water habitat an ecologically and economically significant component of Matagorda Bay.
• reviews key natural processes taking place in open-water habitats.
• explores topics such as water quality, its influence on the health of the bay and its role in the Matagorda Bay Ecosystem Assessment.
• examines the coastal communities supported by open-water habitats and presents economic trends for shrimping, shipping and port activity.

“Many regional economies across the state are closely tied to the health of their local natural resources. This is especially true of our coastal communities,” Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said. “In the Matagorda Bay Economic and Ecological Resources Report, we present natural and economic resources side by side. By facilitating ongoing communication between stakeholders and scientists, we can support science-based solutions to long-term conservation and sustainable economic growth.”

Browse the Matagorda Bay Economic and Ecological Resources Report StoryMap for photos, maps and project updates. In future installments, the Natural Resources program will present a new focal habitat, its key ecological features and contributions to economic health. Visit the Natural Resources program website for more information.

In 2019, the Natural Resources program partnered with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi to perform a comprehensive study of Matagorda Bay. This project, the Matagorda Bay Ecosystem Assessment, collects information on key species and habitats to support their ongoing conservation.

The Natural Resources staff publishes the Matagorda Bay Ecological and Economic Resources Report to keep the public current on the research and consider the region’s connection to the coast.