‘CCA Building Conservation’ Articles
CCA Building Conservation Program and partners set to reclaim Louisiana marsh
TERREBONNE PARISH, LA – CCA’s Building Conservation Habitat Program, in partnership with Shell Oil Company, Terrebonne Parish Government, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, America’s Wetlands, Entergy and Enterprise Products, will launch a restoration project later this month to rebuild part of the coastline in Terrebonne Parish utilizing the unique “Floating Islands” product.
With just slivers of marsh remaining in some areas along the coast, the restoration project will use the Floating Islands’ matrix, which is made of recycled plastic, to plant native species and allow them to grow a root system to the water bottom. The plants will trap sediments and eventually grow toward and tie into the remaining marsh, strengthening it into a sustainable, flourishing mass.
“This is a great initiative where students from local schools – Pointe Aux Chene Elementary and Montegut Middle School – and other local volunteers will be participating to save their marsh,” said John Walther, chairman of CCA Louisiana’s Habitat Committee. “The Floating Island matrix is designed to give the plants a better anchor to the bottom and increase the likelihood that they will take hold and begin to grow outward. The ultimate goal is to find a way to increase the amount of marsh we have by tying these new plants into existing marsh. We’re going to fight to take our marsh back one foot at a time.”
The project is the first to use “floating islands” technology, developed by Martin EcoSystems, in an open-water application in the marine environment, although the technique has been used for shoreline stabilization in conjunction with hurricane protection levees in south Louisiana. Plans call for about 1,500 linear feet of the islands to be installed in this project using two types of marsh grass – smooth cord in the center and seashore paspalum on the edges – to create a habitat component.
“The plants are installed in the matrix onshore and then the matrix is moved to the water for installation. More planting matrix can be added in later stages to expand the area,” explained Walther. “This is a relatively new technique and it holds more promise for shoreline protection than efforts utilizing recycled Christmas trees, for example. This method is also more economical than traditional planting methods and there are plenty of places we could use something cheap and effective along our disappearing coastline.”
CCA members, local students, Shell employees and other volunteers will gather Sept. 23-24 to prepare the mats, each of which is 5 feet by 8 feet and can hold 50 to 60 plants. For those who prefer to pitch in without getting muddy, the public is invited to purchase additional plants for the Terrebonne “Floating Islands” Restoration Project by visiting the CCA Louisiana web site at this link: http://www.ccalouisiana.com/cca11/news/369-floating-island-project.
Both the CCA Building Conservation Habitat Program and the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government have each pledged $50,000 for the project, Entergy has pledged $30,000 and America’s Wetland has donated $10,000 in logistical support, tents, media transport, meals and refreshments.
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The Building Conservation Program was created to provide funding for marine habitat conservation and restoration projects. Thanks to support from Shell Oil Company, program funds are combined with local CCA chapter network volunteer efforts to identify and organize conservation projects, engaging local communities to work together for marine conservation.
In the “floating islands” concept, plant roots grow through the island into the water column below. As water passes through the network of hanging roots underneath the floating matrix, the plant roots remove nutrients and pollutants in the water. These same nutrients provide the food source that the plants need for growth and the result is a “concentrated wetland” effect. Images provided by Martin EcoSystems.
Tags: CCA Building Conservation, Louisiana habaitat, marsh restoration
Posted in CCA Building Conservation, CCA Gulf of Mexico | No Comments »
Project will be largest inshore permitted reef in Alabama
MOBILE, AL – CCA Alabama and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division, have announced a partnership to complete the massive Bayou Cour Reef in Bon Secour Bay. The Bayou Cour Reef is a proposed 34-acre reef located about one mile north of the Intracoastal Waterway in the Bon Secour Bay arm of Mobile Bay.
The $163,000 project is being made possible with funds from the Marine Resources Division (MRD), a $55,000 donation from the CCA Building Conservation Habitat Program, and through donations from other sources, including CCA Alabama’s license tag program. The initial phase of the project, a rip-rap circle to contain limestone and oyster shells in the main reef, was begun by MRD in June 2011. CCA’s donations will be used to complete the first phase of the project.
“We are thrilled to partner with MRD to build yet another inshore reef in Alabama waters,” CCA Alabama Chairman Edwin Lamberth said. “Projects like this allow recreational anglers to give something directly back to the resource. We expect that the reef will become a highly productive and popular destination for inshore anglers, and we certainly expect it to be a benefit to the economies of the surrounding communities.”
The reef will be the largest permitted inshore reef in Alabama waters to date. Nearby reefs include the Fish River Reef and the Shellbank Reef, which have provided excellent finfish habitat and sport fishing opportunities. CCA Alabama has been a part of building numerous inshore reefs and enhancing fishing habitat in Alabama’s waters since the state chapter was founded in 1982.
Chris Blankenship, Director of the Marine Resources Division, and Chief Biologist Kevin Anson spearheaded the project on behalf of the state.
“We are always grateful to organizations like CCA that are committed to enhancing our marine resources here in Alabama. Donations like these make the completion of these projects possible, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with CCA, Shell and the Building Conservation Habitat Program,” said Blankenship.
“This project combines the grassroots strength of CCA with the resources of Shell and the Building Conservation program to allow our members to enhance Gulf resources in truly significant ways for both today’s anglers and for generations of anglers to come,” said Pat Murray, president of CCA National.
In December of 2010, Shell Oil Company announced a $1.5 million contribution to the CCA Building Conservation Habitat Program. Since then, the CCA program has contributed almost $400,000 to habitat projects in Gulf Coast states that were impacted with the oil spill last summer.
For more information, contact CCA Alabama at 251-478-3474. A map of the reef and its location is pasted below and can also be found at www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/saltwater/where/ramps-reefs.pdf .
Tags: artificial reef, bon secour reef, cca alabama, CCA Building Conservation
Posted in CCA Building Conservation, CCA Gulf of Mexico | 1 Comment »
CCA Texas joins effort to expand fishing opportunities at existing reef
PORT MANSFIELD, TEXAS – Recreational fishermen in the nearshore waters off the coast of Port Mansfield will have almost five 
times the amount of habitat to fish within eight miles of the Port Mansfield Jetties after a major infusion of hard structure this week. CCA Texas’s habitat program, Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow (HTFT) teamed up with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Artificial Reef Program and Alamo Concrete Products to further enhance the existing Port Mansfield nearshore reef with more than 4,000 concrete culverts.
“This is a huge project for Texas anglers. It will take 10 days of work around the clock to move 4,000 culverts so we are talking about creating a significant amount of new habitat out there that will be within easy reach of recreational anglers,” commented HTFT Committee chairman Jay Gardner. “You can’t just snap your fingers and pull together a habitat effort on a scale like this – it takes time, money and commitment. We can’t give enough credit to our partners at TPWD and Alamo Concrete Products. CCA Texas is proud to be able to do our part to bring this project to completion and we look forward to tackling many more.”
CCA Texas contributed $50,000 toward the total cost of about $537,000 to expand the existing reef, which already held an old tug boat and about 800 culverts. The expanded reef will provide additional habitat for many species of fish and marine life, including red snapper. The Port Mansfield reef is the second major reefing project undertaken by HTFT. In August 2010, more than 250 tons of concrete and granite splashed down on the Vancouver reef site off the coast of Freeport, and a new reefing project is planned for a third site off the coast between Matagorda and Sargent. To date, CCA Texas has committed more than $200,000 to nearshore reefing in Texas waters.
The state’s Artificial Reefing Program’s nearshore and public reefing portion has been in existence since 2006 and aims to establish a 160-acre site at each major port in Texas. Sites currently exist at Port Isabel, Port Mansfield, Packery Channel, Port Aransas (2), Matagorda and Freeport. These nearshore sites, located in Texas state waters, allow the general public to place reefing materials within those areas, as long as those efforts conform to the guidelines of the program and have prior approval from the state.
“Port Mansfield is a popular destination for many Texas anglers and for our ‘winter Texans’ who come down every year to enjoy our warm weather. Our economy benefits a great deal from the quality fisheries that we have to offer, and projects like this help ensure that we will have them in the future,” said Matt Klostermann, president of the CCA Texas Rio Grande Valley Chapter. “Anglers are the driving force behind our efforts as a chapter to raise funds for these kinds of habitat projects that ultimately benefit conservation. We find tremendous satisfaction from being a proactive part of the solution.”
To find the acres of new fishing opportunity, plug the following coordinates into your GPS: [WGS 84 format for GPS units] N 26o 31.535’ – W 97o 09.215’
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Posted in CCA Building Conservation, CCA Gulf of Mexico | No Comments »
Funds Will Go into Sportsman Fund Created with CCA in 2010
New Berlin, Wis. (July 15, 2011) – Sportsman Channel, the leader in outdoor TV for the American Sportsman, pres
ented a $50,000 check to Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) President Pat Murray at the ICAST Show in Las Vegas. This check will go directly to the “Sportsman Fund,” an internal fund Sportsman Channel originated with CCA in 2010 to raise awareness and funds for Gulf regions working to recover from the 2010 oil spill disaster. CCA is one of the largest non-profit marine conservation groups in America.
“Sportsman Fund” began with the help of DISH Network in August 2010, when it launched Sportsman Channel and Sportsman HD on Ch. 395 and via a la carte pricing. The companies agreed to donate proceeds from the a la carte pricing to the Sportsman Fund, created to benefit Gulf coast habitat restoration and research.
Since then, Sportsman Channel and InterMedia Outdoors utilized print, on-air and digital assets to further promote the cause.
“We are proud to present this check to CCA and to say the campaign to raise funds for Gulf Coast recovery and restoration efforts was a huge success,” said Sportsman COO Todd Hansen. “This check is very telling of the success the network is experiencing on DISH Network. But we are not finished yet, as we will continue to help CCA promote Sportsman Fund and also lend a hand to tell the stories of those communities that are still so deeply affected.”
CCA has worked closely with government and regulatory agencies since the beginning of the Gulf oil disaster to ensure the Gulf’s habitats, fishing industries, marine life and resources are adequately represented and supported. CCA’s history and experience in marine habitat restoration and coastal conservation will continue to be a vital component in the recovery and restoration of Gulf marine resources.
“We are thankful to have this unique partnership with Sportsman Channel and receive this check, which is a big help in restoring the Gulf of Mexico,” said Pat Murray, CCA president. “There are some very positive programs and signs of progress occurring throughout the Gulf, but there is still much to do. This generous program will be an important part of restoring and enhancing the Gulf’s fragile habitats.”
SPORTSMAN CHANNEL: Launched in 2003, Sportsman Channel is the only television and digital media company fully devoted to the more than 82 million sportsmen in the United States, delivering entertaining and educational programming focused exclusively on hunting, shooting and fishing activities. Sportsman Channel is now available in HD, check with your local cable or satellite provider. Acquired by InterMedia Outdoors Holdings in 2006, Sportsman Channel reaches 27 million U.S. television households and is a part of the nation’s largest multimedia company targeted exclusively to serving the information and entertainment needs of outdoors enthusiasts. Visit www.thesportsmanchannel.com, follow on Twitter, @SPORTSMANchnl (www.twitter.com/SPORTSMANchnl), become a Fan on Facebook, www.facebook.com/sportsmanchannel and download Sportsman App at www.itunes.com/appstore
ABOUT CCA: Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) is the largest marine resource conservation group of its kind in the nation. With almost 100,000 members in 17 state chapters, CCA has been active in state, national and international fisheries management issues since 1977. CCA’s strength is drawn from the tens of thousands of recreational saltwater anglers who make up its membership. From South Texas to the Puget Sound to the upper reaches of Maine, CCA’s grassroots influence is felt through state capitols, U.S. Congress and, most importantly, in the conservation and restoration of our coastal marine resources. Visit www.JoinCCA.org for more information.
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Tags: Gulf restoration, oil spill, Sportsman Channel, Sportsman Fund
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CCA Texas habitat program funds $50,000 to restore West Galveston Bay wetlands
HOUSTON, TX - Adding to an already impressive list of offshore artificial reefing and habitat restoration projects, the CCA Texas Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow (HTFT) program has announced it is funding $50,000 toward an ambitious marsh restoration project in West Galveston Bay. CCA Texas is joining with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on Phase I of the Bird Island Cove project, which will deploy 4,400 linear feet of geo-textile tubing and directly restore almost 57 acres of marsh habitat.
“Wetlands loss is a major concern in Texas, as it is in all coastal states,” said Jay Gardner, chairman of the CCA Texas HTFT program. “We are very proud to be in a position to work with other organizations and with state agencies to begin the monumental task of creating, restoring and conserving these habitats that are so important to our marine resources.”
The Galveston Bay complex has experienced greater wetlands loss than almost anywhere else in the state. Between 1950 and 1985, the system lost an estimated 20 percent of its wetlands and 70 percent of its seagrass. Based on historical information, most of the damage has occurred in West Galveston Bay and recent aerial research indicates that marsh habitat continues to disappear at a rapid rate.
“These habitats are at the very core of a healthy marine system and it is critical to not only stop losing wetlands, but also start to rebuild them where they have disappeared,” said Robby Byers, executive director of CCA Texas. “This type of restoration project is essential if we are going to continue to enjoy the incredible marine resources we have in this state. CCA members see this as a direct means of giving something back to the resource and ensuring a healthy future for all types of marine life.”
Phase I of the project has an estimated cost of $1.3 million and the $50,000 from CCA Texas will be leveraged for up to three times that amount in matching grant dollars. The geo-textile tubes will act as a breakwater to set the stage for the restoration of intertidal marsh complex. Dredge material will then be pumped into the protected area to raise the elevation and create different types of habitat, including salt flats and salt marsh. When fully completed, the project is expected to benefit almost 250 acres of intertidal marsh habitat that will be used by all types of fish, birds and shellfish.
“There is a considerable amount of engineering and construction that goes into a project like this, but the method has a proven track record of success in previous projects at Snake Island Cove, Carancahua Cove, Jumbile Cove and others,” said Byers. “West Galveston Bay is a particular area of concern, but we are committed to turning the tide on habitat loss there and restoring it to its full potential.”
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CCA is the largest marine resource conservation group of its kind in the nation. With almost 100,000 members in 17 state chapters, CCA has been active in state, national and international fisheries management issues since 1977. For more information visit the CCA Newsroom at www.JoinCCA.org.
Tags: HTFT, marine habitat, marsh restoration
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CCA, LDWF and partners complete historic project at
Independence Island Reef
The 
Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) have completed construction on Independence Island Reef, believed to be the largest limestone inshore artificial reef project ever in Louisiana. Work crews finished the job on Monday afternoon.
“This project is the result of nearly two years of hard work and dedication by CCA volunteers, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and NOAA,” said David Cresson, CCA Louisiana Executive Director. “We are so appreciative of all of them for their incredible commitment to this important project. Anglers and their families will enjoy the benefits of this reef for generations.”
“The recreational fishing industry has sustained a number of challenges over the last six years – hurricanes, the Gulf oil spill and recent flood waters from the Mississippi River have and will continue 
to impact our inshore reefs along Louisiana’s coast,” said LDWF Assistant Secretary Randy Pausina. “Projects like this one are an essential component in restoring our recreational fisheries. We are incredibly grateful for Governor Jindal, Secretary Barham, CCA and of all our partners for their leadership in what is an essential effort to rebuild areas along our coast that have been damaged by erosion.”
Nearly 8,000 tons of limestone were dropped from barges onto four acres about three miles Northeast of Grand Isle, where Independence Island was once located. The total site acreage is more than 50 acres. The center of the reef is located at 29° 18′ 26.98″ N, -89° 56′ 01.01″W and will be marked by several mooring buoys. The buoys will be deployed later this month.
Cresson also thanked a number of additional partners who helped make the project possible, namely Shell Oil Company, The Paul Candies Family, Vulcan Materials and Bertucci 
Contractors.
“Without their generosity and their commitment to conservation, this project would not have been possible,” Cresson said.
Shell Oil Company made a lead gift to CCA’s Building Conservation Program and helped announce the project last December.
“Shell is proud to have been part of this project through CCA’s Building Conservation Program,” said John Hollowell, Executive Vice President, Deep Water for Shell Upstream Americas. “Shell remains committed to the Gulf Coast and to the people who live there, so the Independence Island Reef project was a great way for us to give back.”
Funding for the project was also made 
available through LDWF’s Artificial Reef Development Fund.
CCA Conservation Committee Chairman John Walther says he expects the reef to start holding fish in the coming months.
“Reefs we have built in the past have proven to provide great habitat for our favorite species, like speckled trout and redfish,” said Walther. “I expect anglers will be landing nice catches from the new reef before the end of the summer.”
The CCA Building Conservation Program was created to provide funding for local, state and national marine fisheries and habitat conservation and restoration projects. Program funds are directed to CCA state chapters for grassroots-driven projects.
“Building Conservation combines the 
grassroots strength of CCA with the resources of Shell to allow our members to take the program to new levels,” said Pat Murray, CCA president. “It is an exciting time in marine conservation, and the restoration projects that will come from this initiative will play a key role in the enhancement of Gulf resources for today’s anglers, and for generations of anglers to come.”
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For more information contact Olivia Watkins at 225-610-8660 or owatkins@wlf.la.gov. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.
CCA Louisiana is the largest marine resource conservation group of its kind in the state. With more than 30,000 members and volunteers in 24 local chapters, CCA has been active in state, national and international fisheries management issues since 1977. Visit CCA at www.CCALouisiana.com for more information, on Facebook or Twitter @CCALouisiana.
Tags: CCA Building Conservation, Independence Island, Louisiana artificial reef
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Independence Island Reef construction set to begin
Partnership between CCA, LDWF, Shell and the Candies Family
makes project a reality
Coastal Conservation Association is set to begin construction on an island reef near Grand Isle that is expected to boost recreational fishing in an area damaged by erosion. Despite recent heavy winds and high water, CCA has all the pieces in place to begin construction on the 4-acre, $500,000 Independence Island Reef.
Over the past month, nearly 8,000 tons of limestone was barged from Kentucky to New Orleans by Vulcan Materials. From there, it will be taken by Bertucci Contactors to the permitted reef site. The reef is scheduled to be deployed during the first week in June and is expected to take about two weeks to complete.
The reef will be sited where the historic Grand Isle fishing hot spot Independence Island was once located. Years of erosion and degradation caused the once-emergent island to completely disappear. While recreational fishing boats have been seldom seen in the area over recent years, the new reef structure is sure to attract fish and fishermen alike.
“The reefs we have built over the years have proven to be great habitat for all sorts of marine species, including speckled trout, redfish, drum and flounder,” said CCA Artificial Reef Coordinator John Walther. “This new reef at Independence Island will be the largest we’ve ever constructed, and it is sure to become a popular spot for Grand Isle anglers.”
The center of the reef will be located located at 29° 18′ 29.40″, 89° 56′ 00.24″ and will be marked by several mooring buoys. Anglers will have the ability to tie their boats to the buoys without dropping anchor. The buoys are not only convenient but will also help preserve the reef structure against damage from traditional boat anchors.
The project is a partnership between CCA Louisiana and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Funding was provided through the LDWF Artificial Reef Development Fund and the CCA Building Conservation Habitat Program, including a lead gift from Shell Oil Co. Additional funding was provided through a generous gift by the Paul Candies family. CCA Louisiana would also like to extend a special thanks to NOAA and Mr. Tim Osborn, whose assistance in planning and implementing this project were invaluable.
“We are so pleased that this project was the first to be funded through CCA’s Building Conservation Habitat Program,” said CCA Louisiana State President Ed Francis. “Our deepest gratitude goes to all who made it possible for us to turn this concept into reality, especially Shell and the Paul Candies family. Their generosity and commitment to Louisiana’s coast is incredible.”
Funding from the Artificial Reef Development Fund was dedicated to the project in December during a ceremony at the State Capital. During the event, Gov. Bobby Jindal and officials from LDWF noted that Louisiana’s coastal environment has faced many challenges, some man-made and some natural, and that projects like Independence Island Reef are critical to the recovery of our coast.
“The recreational fishing industry has sustained a number of challenges over the last six years – hurricanes, the Gulf oil spill and the current flood waters from the Mississippi River have and will continue to impact our inshore reefs along Louisiana’s coast,” said LDWF Assistant Secretary Randy Pausina. “The building of inshore reef structures is an essential component in restoring our recreational fisheries. We are incredibly grateful for Governor Jindal and Secretary Barham’s leadership in what is an essential effort to rebuild areas along our coast that have been damaged by erosion.”
Independence Island Reef is the first in a series of inshore reefs that could be funded through the Artificial Reef Development Fund over the next few years. LDWF and CCA Louisiana have been working for several months on plans for a number of new reefs and reef refurbishment projects. Those proposed projects include sites in Lake Pontchartrain, Plaquemines Parish, Barataria Bay, Terrebonne Parish, Vermilion Bay and Calcasieu Lake. The fund may also be used to create a reef logistics program whereby alternative reef materials, like concrete from old bridges and roads, discard material from concrete plants, oyster shells and the like would be identified, collected, stored and deployed as artificial reefs. CCA Louisiana and LDWF partnered recently on the I-10 Twin Span reefs in Lake Pontchartrain, which are the first in Louisiana to be built using debris concrete. The logistics program is currently in the development stages.
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CCA Louisiana is the largest marine resource conservation group of its kind in the state. With more than 30,000 members and volunteers in 24 local chapters, CCA has been active in state, national and international fisheries management issues since 1977. Visit www.CCALouisiana.com for more information.
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4,000 concrete culverts set to go in nearshore waters this summer
The CCA Texas Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow (HTFT) program continues to pursue its aggressive goal to develop reefing projects in state waters all along the coast and has announced plans to drop 4,000 concrete culverts in a designated 160-acre reefing site off Port Mansfield this summer. This latest habitat project, set to begin in June 2011, has been funded with $50,000 from the CCA Texas HTFT program and is being done in partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Artificial Reef Program and Alamo Concrete.
“Port Mansfield is an attractive place to fish for Texas anglers as well as the thousands of tourists who travel from other states to spend a few days fishing and taking advantage of our tropical winter weather,” said Robby Byers, executive director of CCA Texas. “This new reef will give anglers another place to fish and help make the Port Mansfield area an even more attractive destination for anglers.”
CCA Texas’s announcement of a new reef along the lower Texas coast is the latest project for the chapter’s habitat program and follows the completion of the Vancouver Reef expansion on the upper coast in the summer of 2010 and the announcement of a $100,000 mid-coast reefing project off Matagorda scheduled for completion in the spring of 2012.
“These kinds of close-to-shore reefs are very popular with many anglers who can now find good fishing opportunities without having to travel far offshore,” said John Blaha, director of CCA Texas’s HTFT program. “It’s a win-win for marine resources and for Texas anglers. With the great partnerships we are developing with TPWD and with good corporate citizens like Alamo Concrete, the CCA habitat program is in great shape to keep the underwater building boom going strong.”
The CCA Texas habitat initiative was launched in 2008 and has already set in motion a number of habitat projects important to Texas recreational anglers. In addition to the nearshore reefs, CCA Texas has also been a part of several marsh restoration projects, including those at Goose Island, Nueces Bay and Snake Island. In its commitment to restore and enhance marine and coastal habitats, CCA Texas has funded more than $350,000 for these and other projects.
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CCA is the largest marine resource conservation group of its kind in the nation. With almost 100,000 members in 17 state chapters, CCA has been active in state, national and international fisheries management issues since 1977. For more information visit the CCA Newsroom at www.JoinCCA.org.
Tags: artificial reef, CCA Texas, Port Mansfield
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Latest reefing effort brings partners together to create near-shore reef fish habitat
Coastal Conservation Association has announced plans for a $100,000 reef project off the Texas mid-coast, funded by CCA Texas, CCA National’s Building Conservation Habitat Program, Shell, Shimano and Frabill, in partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Artificial Reef Program. This latest step in CCA’s reefing program will bring valuable reef fish habitat and angling opportunities in the heart of the Texas coast at a time when it is needed most.
“In dealing with Gulf reef fish issues, working on advocacy issues alone is not enough,” said Robby Byers, executive director of CCA Texas. “Creating new, viable habitat is an equally important priority, and our membership is committed to putting significant structure in the water that will be a magnet for both fish and anglers. We are proud to be building a string of reefs along the coast, and proud to be working with corporate partners like Shimano and Shell to improve marine habitat and angling opportunities.”
“CCA does a first-rate job of initiating progressive efforts on behalf of people who fish in coastal regions,” said Phil Morlock, Director, Environmental Affairs, Shimano American Corp. “Thanks to CCA and Shell, this Texas reef project will provide great fishing opportunities for generations of anglers to enjoy and we are pleased to be a partner in this conservation effort.”
CCA’s habitat efforts combine both state chapter and national components of the organization. Last August, CCA Texas funded $50,000 for the expansion of the Vancouver Reef off Freeport, and has earmarked another $50,000 for a Port Mansfield reefing project in the fall. In December 2010, the CCA National Building Conservation Habitat Program announced a $1.5 million contribution from Shell Oil Company, with the first $250,000 going towards the Independence Island Reef in Louisiana’s Barataria Bay. The Building Conservation Habitat Program has contributed $60,000 to the Texas mid-coast reefing effort and is making plans for another reefing project in Alabama later this year.
“You have to go through a lot of hoops to get projects like these off the ground and into the water, but we are building real momentum with the habitat program. Tons of material are going into the water, and the pace is picking up,” said CCA National President Pat Murray. “When we get recreational anglers, private companies and state agencies all working together, we can accomplish great work.”
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CCA is the largest marine resource conservation group of its kind in the nation. With almost 100,000 members in 17 state chapters, CCA has been active in state, national and international fisheries management issues since 1977. For more information visit the CCA Newsroom at www.JoinCCA.org.
Tags: artificial reefs, CCA Building Conservation, habitat
Posted in CCA Building Conservation, CCA Gulf of Mexico | 1 Comment »
State of Louisiana
Office of the Governor
GOVERNOR BOBBY JINDAL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 14 2010
Press Office: Melissa Sellers, Kyle Plotkin
Contact: 225-342-8006, (c) 225-328-3755
BATON ROUGE – Today, Governor Bobby Jindal joined the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) and Shell Oil Company to announce a new public-private partnership – between the recreational angling community, private businesses and the state – to assist in CCA’s ongoing Building Conservation Habitat Program.Shell has committed 1.5 million dollars to CCA’s Building Conservation Habitat Program.
Governor Jindal announced that Independence Island – formerly an emergent island in Barataria Bay near Grand Isle – will be one of the first beneficiaries of the Building Conservation Program. Independence Island was formerly one of Louisiana’s popular fishing destinations, but due to coastal erosion and subsidence, the Island has sunk to the point that it is no longer a viable fisheries habitat. Governor Jindal said the state’s new partnership with CCA and Shell will help resurrect the treasured marine life habitat associated with Independence Island.
Governor Jindal said, “Louisiana’s coastal environment has faced many challenges, some man-made and some natural. This makes it increasingly important for us to find innovative ways to restore and enhance the coastal areas that support state’s economy. Our marsh is the heart and soul of Louisiana. We have a sporting heritage second to none and a long, proud connection to our land, water and resources. Louisiana sportsmen know better than anyone the need to give something back to the environment so that we can continue to enjoy it while preserving this heritage for our children and grandchildren. That’s what makes this announcement today so inspiring – CCA’s Building Conservation Habitat Program is a long-term commitment from the angling community to the incredible natural resources of Louisiana. Partnerships like the one announced today are a critical component for helping our citizens get back on their feet after the oil spill and preserving the beauty of coastal Louisiana for generations to come.”
David Cresson, Executive Director and CEO of CCA Louisiana said, “Today’s announcement is a great example of how when private enterprise, members of the community and the state work together – they can accomplish great work. This reef will create new habitat for a large variety of marine species and will provide recreational fishing opportunities in an area that had been heavily affected by coastal erosion and other factors. I applaud Shell and Governor Jindal for working with CCA to spearhead this project, and I look forward to our continued work in conserving and enhancing our coastal fisheries.”
John Hollowell, Executive Vice President, Deep Water, Upstream Americas, Shell Energy Resources Company said, “Shell has a long history of support for environment and habitat projects, and our thousands of employees in Louisiana are excited about the possibilities of this partnership. CCA members have an amazing track record of conservation work that sets them apart. We believe in the organization and are committed to doing our part to ensure that the Building Conservation Habitat Program has the tools to bring significant marine habitat restoration projects from concept to reality.”
Patrick Murray, president of CCA National said, “This partnership combines the grassroots strength of CCA with the resources of Shell to allow our members to take the Building Conservation Habitat Program to new levels. It is an exciting time in marine conservation, and the restoration projects that will come from this initiative will play a key role in the enhancement of Gulf resources for both today’s anglers and for generations of anglers to come.”
The project calls for installing two reefs covering four acres at Independence Island this spring, each reef consisting of 3,500 tons of limestone to provide hard-structure habitat for marine fisheries. Almost immediately after installation, these reefs will start attracting marine organisms and forage fish, which will draw recreational species and provide new opportunities for anglers in Grand Isle.
CCA worked with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) to permit a 55-acre site for future reef development that includes the original footprint of Independence Island. The Independence Island Reef is being made possible by a $250,000 donation from the CCA Building Conservation Habitat Program and matching funds from the state.
CCA has a highly successful artificial reef program with reefs completed in Lake Pelto, Vermilion Bay, Calcasieu Lake, and Lake Ponchartrain. In in-shore coastal areas, this program has used crushed limestone to construct low-relief “shell-pad” type structures to enhance habitats and fisheries resources.
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Tags: artificial reef, CCA Building Conservation, Governor Jindal, Independence Island
Posted in CCA Building Conservation, CCA Gulf of Mexico | No Comments »
