Shrimp boats ply the waters of Galveston’s harbor at sunrise. Photo by Stuart Villanueva

On a beautiful Fourth of July evening, my husband, my two teenage nieces and I walked along Galveston’s seawall to find a good spot to watch the city’s spectacular fireworks show.

Laura Elder

As we walked along, my husband and I picked up plastic bottles and bags rolling and blowing along the seawall, lest they end up on the beach and in the Gulf of Mexico.

We groused about what sort of people could be so careless with such a pernicious type of pollution.

People can always disappoint. But not all people. In this issue, you’ll find charter boat owners and just plain good citizens who are working diligently to protect the Gulf and bays by cleaning up miles and miles of discarded fishing line that can ensnare marine life or balloons that trash the water and can also hurt sea creatures.

You’ll also meet some shrimpers who represent a fading way of life here.

On the cover: Jerome Kunz, 86, has been shrimping the waters off Galveston since he was 10 years old. Photo by Stuart Villanueva

Years ago, the waters were teeming with shrimp boats. But with cheap imports and other changes in the industry, a once vibrant part of the region is disappearing.

Like most people who live here, I’m a little protective of the Gulf. I also understand what it means to the many thousands of people here who depend on it to earn a living.

My hope is that this issue inspires more people to protect it and care for it. I also hope that on Fourth of July, I set an example to my nieces, who I hope will be able to enjoy it as I have all my life.