CCA is Keepin' It Coastal for fisheries management

CCA's educational outreach is highlighted in the February 2014 issue

Recreational saltwater anglers may already be familiar with CCA, the Coastal Conservation Association that is based out of Texas. Others may be glad to learn that CCA is the largest marine conservation group that stresses science-based fisheries management decisions. Going beyond catch and release, CCA strives for long-term coastal ecosystem health. Bringing together marine biologists for a summit at The Redfish Lodge in Texas with CCA leaders serves to update the current conservation calendar.

            

Great slogan, CCA teaming up with Costa sunglasses

Pat Murray serves as President of the membership-based CCA, which has 17 state chapters overall, including each of the coastal Southeastern states. Putting together conservation projects like artificial reefs and oyster restoration takes funding, and Murray announced a 1.5-million dollar donation from Shell Oil Company to bring these projects to fruition over a three-year period. CCA’s Building Conservation Trust program will oversee these marine habitat projects, designed for use by recreational anglers.

            

Several marine biologists from the Harte Research Institute attended the meeting in Rockport, Texas at The Redfish Lodge. The Harte Lab is based in Corpus Christi and is part of Texas A & M University. Topics discussed ranged from oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico that undergo a transition into artificial reefs, known as the Idle Iron program, to inshore sites like the Lap Reef in Copano Bay that benefit the building blocks of the food chain. The Harte Lab is also tagging dolphin-fish in the Gulf and monitoring for Hypoxia episodes, also known as dead zones in the water due to high nutrient runoff and low oxygen levels.

Whether one fishes in the Gulf, in Florida or the Carolinas the objective of CCA is to enhance the present and future availability of those coastal resources. If that same mission requires outreach in Washington, D.C. or perhaps legal counsel then CCA is meeting those obligations. Keep an eye out for CCA action in your area or plan to attend one of their conservation banquets in order to meet fellow anglers. For more information visit the Internet at www.JoinCCA.org.

To view my feature article click on All At Sea.

To view past blog entries from the CCA Summit click here.