Baffin Bay Stakeholders Gather in Riviera, Highlighting Collaborative Efforts for Bay’s Health and Sustainability

More than 75 members of the Baffin Bay Stakeholder Group (BBSG) gathered at La Pesca Lodge for their annual meeting, marking an exciting step forward in ongoing efforts to restore and protect the health of Baffin Bay through collaborative, science-based solutions.

Formed in 2018, the BBSG is facilitated by the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (HRI) and the Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program (CBBEP). The group is composed of researchers, anglers, landowners, ranchers, business owners, state and local agency representatives, and conservation organizations, united in their commitment to addressing water quality challenges in Baffin Bay.

Often celebrated as a crown jewel of the Texas coast, Baffin Bay is valued for its sport fishing, outdoor recreation opportunities, and essential role in supporting the local economy. Its 1.5-million-acre watershed also provides critical habitat for migratory and resident birds and other wildlife.

In recent decades, Baffin Bay’s water quality and ecosystem health have declined, characterized by persistent harmful algal blooms, fish kills, and seagrass loss. In 2013, concerned stakeholders began collaborating with HRI researchers to study Baffin Bay’s water quality, and found that its watershed contributes excessive nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus) and bacterial pollution to the Bay. BBSG stakeholders work together to develop and implement solutions to better understand and reverse these trends to protect the bay’s long-term health.

Part of that work is the Bringing Baffin Back™ initiative, a 2022 program founded by HRI and the CBBEP that unites diverse partners to address watershed pollutants and then restore and conserve Baffin Bay's habitats. This approach acknowledges that the bay's health is closely linked to the surrounding lands.

“By collaborating across sectors, and linking scientific research with community engagement, we’re laying the groundwork for impactful, lasting change that will both ensure the sustainability of Baffin Bay while also supporting the local economy,” said Athena Frasca, HRI’s Bringing Baffin Back™ Watershed Coordinator. “This meeting underscored the importance of each stakeholder’s role — whether local residents, conservation groups, or government agencies — in tackling the complex environmental challenges facing Baffin Bay.”

During the meeting, stakeholders received updates on numerous environmental projects underway throughout Baffin Bay’s watershed. These projects address critical issues including water quality, waste management, stormwater infrastructure, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.

These projects support the implementation of the San Fernando and Petronila Creeks Watershed Protection Plan (WPP), developed by the BBSG in collaboration with state partners and accepted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2023. The WPP outlines a roadmap for reducing sources of nutrient pollution to the San Fernando and Petronila Creeks watersheds, and ultimately Baffin Bay.

Presentations featured project updates from key partners including the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, the American Farmland Trust, the USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Service, Nueces River Authority, and the Texas General Land Office’s Clean Coast Texas initiative. Stakeholders also participated in breakout sessions to discuss specific topics, including nature-based stormwater solutions, wastewater and septic system management, agriculture and livestock, and the Upper Laguna Madre.

Since 2018, more than $9.8 million has been invested in research and restoration projects benefitting Baffin Bay and its surrounding watersheds.

Key projects, such as the Nueces River Authority’s proposed Robstown-based regional wastewater treatment facility, are estimated to require $200 million for design and construction. The plant will connect four cities, providing centralized wastewater treatment with the capacity to treat six million gallons of waste per day — an essential improvement to reduce nutrient pollution from aging, failing facilities.

The Aguanita de Chapeño constructed wetland project presents a promising opportunity for impactful investment. This nature-based solution will use natural filtration processes to treat polluted water from Petronila Creek while also creating habitat for local wildlife. As design and construction plans continue to develop, the project will require financial support of $10-15 million for construction. 

Together with other initiatives, these projects represent essential steps toward ensuring Baffin Bay’s long-term health and resilience by providing critical infrastructure to improve water quality and reduce pollution across the watershed.