2013 Redfish Lodge CCA Summit - Day One

My Texas Pompano with Capt. Jim Friebele

Dinner with the CCA brain trust

The conservation programs that were discussed concern the environment, and the benefits to estuarine habitat and recreational anglers. The Coastal Conservation Association in association with Shell Oil convened their 2013Summit to better communicate their goals and programs. The recent formation of the Conservation Benefit Trust (CBT) and subsequent appointment of Matt Shilling to run the program, increases the presence of CCA in Washington. CBT will work to restore degraded habitats, create new habitats and foster habitat stewardship by example. CCA also forged a relationship with Texas A and M University when it donated $500K to their Harte Marine Lab based in Corpus Cristie, Texas. The 2013 summit brought together Harte Lab staff, CBT steering committee members and members of the media. CCA President Pat Murray and TIDE editor Ted Venker were on hand to take questions and to outline the year ahead. Updates on the Rigs to Reefs program, also known as Idle Iron, oyster recovery efforts in the Gulf and the cause and effects of Hypoxia were in depth and informative.

To view my past feature article contributions to TIDE magazine click here.

To view past blog entries from the CCA Media Sumit at Redfish Lodge click here.

Dave Lear with a nice sheepshead

How about a 17.5-inch speck in the mixed bag