‘CCA Gulf of Mexico’ Articles
Gulf of Mexico fisheries and marine resource conservation issues.
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
Posted in CCA Building Conservation, CCA Gulf of Mexico | No Comments »
State of Louisiana
Office of the Governor
GOVERNOR BOBBY JINDAL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2011
Press Office: Melissa Sellers, Kyle Plotkin
Contact: 225-342-8006, (c) 225-328-3755
Gov. Jindal Unveils “Louisiana Plan” For Restoring Damaged Coastal Areas, Fisheries & Oyster Seed Grounds From Oil Spill
NEW ORLEANS – Today, Governor Bobby Jindal unveiled the “Louisiana Plan” to start restoring the state’s coastal areas, fisheries and oyster seed grounds from the devastating impact of the BP oil spill. The state will be submitting a list of projects to BP, the Department of Interior and NOAA, and the funding will come from a $1 billion agreement announced in April 2011 for early restoration of damaged natural resources resulting from the oil spill.
The “Louisiana Plan” of early restoration projects totals around $530 million. The state expects to receive a large portion of the $1 billion in early restoration funds because Louisiana sustained the brunt of oil spill damage along the Gulf.
The departments of the Interior and Commerce and BP announced a $1 billion agreement for early restoration of damaged natural resources resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill earlier this year. The $1 billion agreement includes:
· $500 million split equally among the five Gulf states ($100M each)
· $200 million split equally among the Department of the Interior (DoI) and NOAA
· $300 million to be allocated by DoI and NOAA to states for early restoration projects
The Jindal administration first made a request for early restoration funding in July of 2010, rather than waiting for 10 years or more during legal negotiations, and pushed for a down payment from BP to begin restoring the natural resources injured by the BP oil spill. This early restoration funding – which comes from the responsible parties and includes no taxpayer money – must be used to offset natural resource injuries to wildlife or the coast, or the lose use of natural resources.
Governor Jindal said, “We are working aggressively to get our fishermen and our coastal communities back on their feet following the catastrophic BP oil spill last year. We fought hard to cut the red tape and get BP’s commitment to fund early restoration work so we would not have to wait 10 or more years before damage payments were made to Gulf states. We were pleased BP finally announced a commitment of $1 billion for early Gulf Coast recovery projects just a few months ago. This ‘Louisiana Plan’ we are announcing today will jumpstart work on critical restoration projects including the placement of fish hatcheries, oyster re-seeding and coastal restoration work all along our coast.
“Our plan includes projects totaling more than $500 million because we expect to receive a major portion of the $500 million out of the $1 billion in early restoration funding that has not already been allocated to the states, due to the fact that our coast endured the brunt of the oil spill disaster. Parts of our shoreline are still oiled today and it is critical for this work to begin immediately so we can start to reverse the damage done to our natural resources even while we continue to hold BP accountable. Yet again, we are here to say that we cannot afford to wait. We are taking action.”
LDWF Secretary Robert Barham said, “It is crucial that we begin large-scale early restoration work as soon as possible. The state trustees have worked diligently to identify a list of essential projects that will help us begin the process of rebuilding and restoring our coastal resources and Louisiana fisheries. While we won’t know the full impact of the spill for years to come, we can prepare ourselves for what may happen. The Louisiana Marine Fisheries Science and Research Center, and the Oyster Re-establishment Program are two tangible ways to both restore resources now — planting cultch for oyste
r re-establishment and building the facilities that will be necessary to help restore any damaged fisheries. We cannot wait any longer. I fully support Governor Jindal’s efforts to have the NRDA trustee council approve these projects so we may begin now.”
Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser said, “These projects are important to the future of not only Louisiana’s coast, but our way of life. The Governor really stepped up to the plate and was aggressive about working with us to build this list. These projects are greatly needed to begin restoring resources deteriorated by the spill. We look forward to starting this work, it can’t happen soon enough.”
Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph said, “Thanks to the teamwork of Gov. Jindal, the OCPR, and the leaders of the impacted parishes, the regional projects chosen represent a solid opportunity to begin repairing the damage to our coast caused by the spill.”
David Cresson, CEO of the Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana said, “Recreational fishing is a way of life in Louisiana, not to mention a multi-billion dollar economic driver. We have the best saltwater fishing in the world, and we simply cannot afford for our fish to be negatively affected in any way by the spill. That is why CCA believes the Marine Fisheries Science Center and Fish Hatchery project is so critical to our recovery. It will allow us to supplement any damaged stocks and be prepared in case of similar challenges in the future. It will provide benefits to Louisiana and her coast for generations.”
Chairman of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board Harlon Pearce said, “Development of these restoration projects will help our industry replenish resources lost during the Gulf oil spill disaster and ensure that we maintain a sustainable fishery.”
Al Sunseri, owner of P&J Oysters and member of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force said, “For more than a year now, the Louisiana oyster community has sought restoration to our estuary begin following the BP oil spill. I applaud the Governor for working with the state trustees to find solutions for the oyster community. I am hopeful that the NRDA Trustee Council will quickly approve projects that will help oystermen get back on their feet. We need to restore our oyster harvest grounds because we are ready to get back to work.”
Dr. John Supan, Director of the Louisiana Sea Grant Bivalve Hatchery said, “The establishment of a Marine Fisheries Enhancement and Science Center is a great addition to the innovative work we have already begun here in Louisiana. Currently, at our hatchery, located at the Marine Research Laboratory at Grand Isle, we can produce up to a billion oyster larvae a year to support public oyster reefs and private oyster farms. This allows us the ability to expand oyster culture technology for Louisiana so that the oyster industry will be less dependent upon wild oyster seed.”
Executive Director of the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana Steven Peyronnin said, “The Mississippi River Delta is the cornerstone of a healthy Gulf and the scale and scope of oiled coastline in Louisiana makes it critical to begin restoring these areas as quickly as possible. The State of Louisiana has worked extremely hard to identify a list of shovel ready projects that can use this funding to begin restoring damaged areas immediately and take the first steps toward long-term recovery of the Gulf.”
Mike Voisin, Commissioner for Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission and Member of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force said, “The oyster community applauds the Governor and appreciates his efforts to help rebuild and rehabilitate oyster habitats in South Louisiana. The challenges presented to the oyster community by the Deep Water Horizon events of 2010 are being dealt with and met head on by our State and its leadership.”
Chuck Wilson, vice provost for the Louisiana State University Coastal Fisheries Institute said, “Louisiana Sea Grant is grateful for the partnership with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and the opportunity to establish the existing hatchery at the Louisiana Marine Research Laboratory. The timeliness of today’s announcement cannot be overstated. We are excited to join efforts with the state to build the nation’s pre-eminent hatchery that will help ensure the long-term stability of the oysters industry.”
Senior Policy Analyst & Government Affairs Manager for the Ocean Conservancy Kris Van Orsdel said, “Restoring Louisiana’s oyster reefs is critical for not only supporting the state’s valuable oyster industry but also providing key ecosystem benefits including habitat for fish and wildlife, improving water quality and coastal protection.”
“Prompt approval of these restoration projects would provide a vital boost to the Gulf Coast’s environmental and economic recovery from the BP oil disaster,” said Paul Harrison, senior director for the Mississippi River Delta restoration project for Environmental Defense Fund. “The barrier island project for the Barataria Barrier Shoreline islands and oyster cultch for public seed grounds are especially worthy proposals.”
“LOUISIANA PLAN” PROJECTS
Oysters:
· Oyster Reestablishment Program – $15 million. This project has two distinct parts:
o First, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will contract for the placement of cultch material onto selected public oyster seed grounds. Cultch material consists of limestone rock, crushed concrete, oyster shell and other similar material that, when placed in oyster spawning areas, provides a location and substrate for free floating oyster larvae to attach and grow into oysters.
§ The Department will place cultch material on approximately 855 acres of public oyster seed grounds throughout coastal Louisiana. The approximate cost of this portion of the project is $12 million.
§ The tentative cultch placement locations include Mississippi Sound (St. Bernard Parish), Lake Fortuna/Machias (St. Bernard Parish), HackberryBay (Jefferson/Lafourche Parish), Lake Chien (Terrebonne Parish), Sister Lake (Terrebonne Parish), and Calcasieu Lake (Cameron Parish).
§ This project employs approaches used by LDWF since 1917. Over the nearly 100 years of cultch planting, LDWF has placed over 1.5 million cubic yards of cultch material on nearly 30,000 acres. It provides positive results, usually in as little as 17 months post-cultch placement.
o The second portion of the project involves constructing hatchery improvements to help facilitate and expedite success of the cultch placement. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, in partnership with Louisiana Sea Grant, will upgrade the existing Sea Grant oyster hatchery located at the LDWF facility on Grand Isle, Louisiana. The facility will be located next to the Wildlife and Fisheries Marine Lab on Grand Isle at a site owned by Louisiana State University.
Fisheries:
· Saltwater hatchery – $48 million. This project includes development of a Louisiana Marine Fisheries Enhancement and Science Center. The center will include: 3 fisheries enhancement and research locations, marine fisheries stock enhancement, aquaculture research and enhancement, and education and science facilities.
o This project would provide facilities for research to allow natural resource managers to develop and evaluate restoration strategies for impacted fish species.
o The fisheries center will also provide state of the art facilities for rearing fish.
o Finally, the fisheries center will include a public outreach component that will be used to inform the public about research and restoration progress for issues related to Gulf of Mexico fisheries restoration.
§ The project would be completed in three locations: a 20-acre site in Plaquemines Parish, the existing Marine Research Laboratory on Grand Isle, and a 90-acre site located along the coast in Southwest, LA, which will soon be identified.
Coastal Restoration Projects
· Chandeleur Islands Restoration – $65 million. We will be working with DOI and the State of Mississippi to define a restoration plan for a portion of the Chandeleur Islands, which we know sustained direct impact damage from the spill.
· Biloxi Marsh Shoreline Protection – $45 million. The Biloxi Marsh complex, located approximately 30 miles southeast of the city of New Orleans between Chandeleur Sound and Lake Borgne, provides important habitat in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. This early restoration project involves creating a breakwater structure to protect the existing Biloxi Marsh habitat from erosion.
· Lake Hermitage Additional increment – $13.9 million. This restoration project involves an additional increment of 97.5 acres of marsh creation into a project known as the “Lake Hermitage Marsh Creation Project” that is being funded through the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) program. The project is located within the Barataria HydrologicBasin in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.
· Grand Liard Marsh and Ridge Restoration – $31 million. This early restoration project would restore the eastern ridge of Bayou Grand Liard and the adjacent marsh habitat to the east of the Bayou. The project would restore approximately 18,000 linear feet of ridge along the east bank of Bayou Grand Liard to restore the hydraulic barrier between Bayou Grand Liard and Yellow Cotton Bay.
o In addition to ridge creation, the project would create approximately 328 acres of marsh and it would restore/nourish an additional 140 acres of marsh.
· Shell Island – $110 million. Shell Island is a part of the Barataria Basin Barrier Shoreline (BBBS), and forms a key barrier between saline waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the fresher waters of the Barataria Basin. The island has become fragmented over the past few decades by a combination of strong tropical storms and land subsidence. Restoring the geomorphic and hydrologic function of Shell Island is an important priority for the ecosystems of the Barataria Basin.
· Cheniere Ronquille Barrier Island Restoration – $44 million. This early restoration project seeks to increase the longevity of Chenier Ronquille Island by restoring its dune and marsh platforms. The project calls for the creation of dune and marsh habitat, repair of breaches in the shoreline, and prevention of new breaches over the 20-year project life.
· Bay Side Segmented Breakwater at Grand Isle – $3.3 million. This project will reduce erosion on the bay side of Grand Isle, the only inhabited Barrier Island in Louisiana, with the goal of protecting a coastal area, including wetlands. The areas that will be protected include important residential and commercial infrastructure. This project will include construction of six 300-foot breakwaters (approximately 1.5 miles total) on the back bay side of Grand Isle. This project would complete the breakwater structures along the north side of the island and would protect residential and commercial development.
· West Grand Terre Restoration – $9 million. This project would restore the southwest (Gulf) side of West Grand Terre Island, using sediment pumped from an offshore source area. The total restoration area for this project is approximately 120 acres.
· West Grand Terre Stabilization – $3 million.West GrandTerre Island has some of the highest erosion rates in coastal Louisiana. This proposed restoration project would stabilize the bay side of southwestern West Grand Terre Island, using rock armament.
· Barataria Basin Barrier Shoreline Restoration – Caminada Headland – $75 million. The Caminada Headland is a part of the Barataria Basin Barrier Shoreline (BBBS), and forms a key barrier between saline waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the fresher waters of the Barataria Basin. This restoration project will restore the Caminada Headland portion of the barrier shoreline. The projectincludes restoration of the barrier shoreline and creation and restoration of back barrier marsh habitat.
· Maintain Land bridge between CaillouLake and Gulf of Mexico – $71 million. This proposed NRDA early restoration project involves protection and restoration of approximately 1,600 acres of salt marsh, which will reduce current rates of degradation and erosion and sustain the land barrier between Caillou Lake and the Gulf of Mexico. The project goals are to reduce current rates of degradation along this land bridge; and to sustain the coastal ecosystem in this region.
FACTS ON BP OIL SPILL IMPACT IN LOUISIANA
· Federal data shows that that coastal Louisiana received approximately 92 percent of the heavily and moderately oiled shorelines in the entire Gulf of Mexico since the BP-Deepwater Horizon disaster.
· An estimated 60 percent or more of injured, oiled and killed birds, mammals, fish and other wildlife found were offshore Louisiana.
· Even today, 100 percent of the heavily oiled shoreline, over 99 percent of the moderately oiled shoreline and nearly 90 percent of the light or very light oiled shoreline in the Gulf of Mexico is in Louisiana.
· Over 90 percent of the species in the Gulf of Mexico and 98 percent of the commercially harvested fish and shellfish in the Gulf are dependent on coastal Louisiana’s unique estuary for sustainability.
· In addition, Louisiana’s coastal area is the largest wintering habitat for migratory waterfowl and song birds. Tens of millions of birds winter in Louisiana’s coastal area each year.
Tags: Louisiana Plan, NRDA, oil spill
Posted in CCA Gulf of Mexico | No Comments »
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
Posted in CCA Building Conservation, CCA Gulf of Mexico | No Comments »
Even Gulf commercial fishermen say catch share concept fails
KEY WEST, FL – Recreational anglers apparently are not the only ones who object to the use of catch share programs in the Gulf of Mexico. During the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meeting this week in Florida, commercial grouper fishermen pointed out serious flaws in the catch share concept that are forcing them to discard an estimated 700,000 to 1 million pounds of dead red snapper annually. Coastal Conservation Association is calling for an accelerated review of both the commercial red snapper and grouper catch share plans by the Gulf Council.
“A lot of the grouper guys say the concept is not working and they are throwing half their fish away. They can’t get shares to keep the red snapper they catch while they are fishing for grouper, and so they are asking for the commercial red snapper program to sunset and just go away,” said Dr. Russell Nelson, CCA’s Gulf Fisheries consultant. “CCA pointed out that this kind of waste was a likely result when the Council was discussing the grouper catch share program in 2009, but those concerns were ignored.”
According to public comments to the Gulf Council by Bob Spaeth of the Southern Offshore Fisheries Association, a survey of commercial grouper fishermen revealed that a majority felt they were worse off after their Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program went into effect. Furthermore, it appears that the commercial grouper sector may have caught the majority of its shares for the entire year already, meaning that very few grouper will be landed in last quarter of the year. That prompted a request from the commercial sector that they be allowed to catch some of next year’s quota this year.
“Again, this shows that catch share programs pose more problems than solutions,” said CCA’s Chester Brewer, chairman of the National Government Relations Committee. “The idea may be compelling on paper to some, but when you put it into practice and factor in human nature, all the economic models fall apart. These ideas are sold as one-size fits all solutions, but there are inherent, fundamental flaws that are unavoidable.”
As the debate flared over commercial catch share programs, the Gulf Council tried to sidestep controversy over the appointment of a Headboat IFQ Advisory Panel that was originally intended to explore separating headboats from the recreational sector and giving them their own shares of red snapper in yet another catch share program. In a thinly veiled attempt to deflect mounting criticism over the panel, the Council elected to rename it the Ad Hoc Headboat Advisory Panel and broaden its scope to examine all things important to the headboat industry, not just sector separation and catch shares.
“If commercial boats and recreational anglers don’t favor catch shares, it is hard to see why NOAA Fisheries continues to promote them. They don’t make economic sense or conservation sense,” said Nelson. “Unfortunately, there are financial incentives for Councils to implement catch share programs and so these concepts keep hanging around even though very few people are in favor of them.”
CCA has encouraged members and all recreational anglers to contact the Gulf Council at info@gulfcouncil.org to urge the rejection of sector separation and catch shares in recreational fisheries.
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Tags: Catch Shares, grouper IFQ, gulf council, red snapper IFQ
Posted in CCA Gulf of Mexico, Catch Shares | No Comments »
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
Posted in CCA Building Conservation, CCA Gulf of Mexico | No Comments »
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.
Posted in CCA Building Conservation, CCA Gulf of Mexico | No Comments »
Federal insistence on catch shares for headboats outrages anglers
NOAA ignores overwhelming opposition, proceeds with controversial program
In spite of opposition from governors, Congress and the vast majority of recreational anglers, NOAA Fisheries has unveiled a proposal for the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to take red snapper from the private boat angling sector and give them away in a catch share program. This latest affront to anglers is outlined as an item on the Gulf Council’s June agenda calling for a closed-door session to appoint an advisory panel to make recommendations on a new headboat Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program.
“It is infuriating that NOAA Fisheries is disregarding the very clear messages that have been delivered on catch shares and their impact on recreational anglers,” said Chester Brewer, chairman of CCA’s National Government Relations Committee. “Four Gulf state governors signed a letter in 2009 warning about the negative impacts of catch shares on recreational angling. The Jones Amendment barring any NOAA funds from being used to implement new catch share programs was approved by Congress just a few weeks ago. Yet, somehow, NOAA Fisheries believes it is OK to proceed with a closed-door session to figure out how to do a new catch share program. This is an agency that seems almost completely disconnected.”
Catch share systems bestow a percentage of a public fishery resource to a select group of fishermen to harvest. The commercial entities pay nothing back to the public for this right to harvest a public resource and Coastal Conservation Association has contended that these programs ignore the participation and beneficial economic impacts of recreational fishing. According to a presentation by NOAA Fisheries to the Gulf Council in April 2011, splitting the recreational sector and implementing a catch share program for charter/for-hire boats could shorten the private boat recreational red snapper season by as much as 20 percent. CCA is opposed to sector separation and filed a lawsuit against the federal government in 2009 over the Gulf grouper catch share program in a case that continues to make its way through federal district court.
“NOAA has funded economic studies that show the vast majority of the value of Gulf reef fish fisheries is in the private recreational boat sector,” said Brewer. “Why would they insist on going down a path that discourages the most valuable part of this fishery? When you combine the public outcry with the economic data, it appears that NOAA Fisheries is intent on doing the wrong things to manage this fishery. It defies logic and common sense.”
In response to the closed-door session to appoint an IFQ advisory panel, Gulf Council member Ed Sapp has requested clarification from NOAA Counsel on the Jones Amendment that prohibits NOAA from expending funds to implement new catch share programs.
“I’ve already received numerous phone calls from fishermen who believe NOAA and the Gulf Council are operating out of line,” he said. “I feel that it is vitally important that we have these public discussions before we proceed with any new catch share related issues.”
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Tags: Catch Shares, gulf council, headboats, IFQ
Posted in CCA Gulf of Mexico, Catch Shares | 1 Comment »
Gulf red snapper saga continues
The long history of upside-down federal management of Gulf red snapper continued this week with NOAA Fisheries announcing more good news about the health of the fishery contrasted against the shortest recreational season on record: just 48 days. Coastal Conservation Association has warned that such absurd measures are inevitable until the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council conducts a reallocation of the fishery based on modern criteria.
“It should be clear to everyone involved in this fishery that reallocation of Gulf red snapper should be a top priority,” said Chester Brewer, CCA National Government Relations Committee chairman. “NOAA Fisheries seems much more intent on forcing unwanted Individual Fishing Quotas and days-at-sea programs into this fishery instead of doing the one thing that matters most – reallocating it to reflect massive demographic and economic changes that have occurred since it was divided 51 percent commercial and 49 percent recreational.”
The shrinking season is tied to directly to the recovering stock. As red snapper become more plentiful, anglers are encountering them more often and the fish they are catching are heavier. Since anglers are catching bigger fish more often, the recreational sector hits its quota more quickly, resulting in a 48-day season in 2011. Even though NOAA Fisheries announced that the recreational quota is increasing from 3.403 million pounds in 2010 to 3.525 million pounds in 2011, the season is projected to be even shorter than last year.
Evidence from offshore anglers indicates a booming red snapper population in the Gulf that has benefitted wildly from a variety of factors, including a 74 percent reduction in shrimp trawl bycatch that was mandated in 2007. The recovering status is good news for a fishery that has long suffered from baffling stock assessments and suspect catch data. A wild card this year is whether NOAA Fisheries will elect to heed calls from the Gulf State governors and the recreational angling community to add more than a million pounds of recreational quota that went uncaught last year due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to the 2011 season.
“That would be a welcome stop-gap measure for anglers and the businesses that depend on them along the Gulf Coast, but it does not get to the root of the problem,” said Brewer. “There is something systemically wrong with the federal fisheries management system, and nowhere is it more obvious than in Gulf red snapper, where the most economically beneficial sector of the fishery will sit at the dock for more than 10 months this year. Before the Gulf Council embarks on any more controversial management schemes, it has to get the allocation right.”
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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.
Posted in CCA Federal Fisheries, CCA Gulf of Mexico | 3 Comments »
CCA applauds Gulf governors’ efforts on behalf of recreational anglers
Red snapper season in the Gulf is just around the corner, and if Texas Gov. Rick Perry and other Gulf state governors have their way, it will be a bit longer than anyone expected. In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon spill last summer, the recreational angling sector fell short of catching its quota of red snapper by almost one-third. Gov. Perry, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, and Florida Gov. Rick Scott have all presented letters to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council urging that more than one million pounds of red snapper uncaught in 2010 be added to the 2011 season.
“We are writing to urge the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to recommend adding the 2010 uncaught recreational quota for red snapper to the 2011 quota to increase the projected length of the season,” Gov. Scott writes. “Given the present economic condition of Florida, we believe the addition of this quota, and the extension of the season, would provide a much needed economic boost to this region that is still recovering from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.”
“I acknowledge the red snapper population is currently being rebuilt and understand the strict calculations used in setting commercial and recreational quotas,” Gov. Perry writes. “As such, I ask that you consider the region’s economic recovery and health of the fishery in considering my request. By building on the leftover 2010 quota, I believe we are satisfying both requirements, and I look forward to your swift and favorable action.”
Red snapper are an exceptionally popular sportfish, and have been the subject of federal management for more than two decades. After years of frustration, setbacks and sacrifice for recreational anglers, the population of red snapper is on a steady path to recovery, although strict rebuilding guidelines are still in effect to reach rebuilding goals set by fisheries managers. The red snapper season in 2010 was the shortest on record at just 53 days, even though anglers almost universally report a booming red snapper fishery in the Gulf.
“We are truly grateful to Gov. Perry and his staff for standing up for recreational anglers on this issue,” said CCA Texas Executive Director Robby Byers. “He is exactly on target – we need to be mindful of the health of the fishery, but with the underage from last year and the robust recovery our members are witnessing in the Gulf, it would be a tremendous boost to the region to create more opportunities for angling offshore. Gov. Perry continues to be an excellent friend to Texas’ anglers.”
Governor Rick Scott’s Letter
Governor Rick Perry’s Letter
Governor Bobby Jindal’s Letter
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: Gulf governors, red snapper
Posted in CCA Gulf of Mexico | No Comments »
HOUSTON, TX – Following its meeting March 28-29 in Tampa, Florida, the Limited Access Privilege Program (LAPP) Advisory Panel to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is presenting a suite of options at the Gulf Council meeting next week to aid the struggling charter/for-hire industry and seem to lead inevitably to catch shares and sector separation in the recreational sector.
Discussions at the two-day AP meeting included a “days-at-sea” program for the charter for hire fleet and the allocation of an Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program for the 63-boat headboat fleet in the red snapper fishery. Each proposal would presumably reserve part of the recreational allocation for such boats and allow them to fish it throughout the year. The LAPP AP was originally tasked with looking at IFQ/catch share programs for the “other species in the reef fish management unit” across sectors, but was subsequently tasked with looking into pilot programs to give the for-hire fleet flexibility in red snapper fishing days in an effort to help the depressed economic status of the fleet.
“Development of these proposals was a fast, unexpected turn of events,” said Bill Bird, a CCA board member and panel participant. “It seemed to me that everyone in that room, including Council staff, knew where they wanted this to go before the meeting even started, despite CCA’s objections. Most of the details remain undefined, but it is difficult to understand how either program would work unless those boats get a specific allocation of the recreational quota. You can call it anything you want, but it looks and sounds like the first steps to sector separation and catch shares.”
From the start, CCA was concerned at the prospect of the AP turning to catch shares as a tool and it is clear that those concerns were well-founded.
“The assignment of the catch share approach to a pilot headboat program was out of left field and spun out of control at the meeting very quickly, even though no headboat operators are represented on the LAPP AP,” said Troy Williamson, CCA board member and panel participant. “It was a runaway train and CCA will certainly make the case at the Council to stop it in its tracks.”
CCA is opposed to both recreational catch shares and to splitting the recreational sector between private boat anglers and the charter/for-hire fleet. “Sector separation,” as it is known, and catch shares are both unpopular concepts with the vast majority of the recreational angling community.
“The days-at-sea program is being sold as a benefit for conservation, data collection and management, but all of those things can be achieved by means other than catch shares and sector separation,” said Bird. “Additionally, the Council could help the entire recreational sector and not just the charter and headboat operators by reallocating the red snapper fishery properly in the first place. In fact, the Council just decided at its February 2011 meeting to finally begin reviewing red snapper allocation and the existing red snapper IFQ program. To make this recommendation before that review has even started doesn’t make a lot of sense.”
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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: Catch Shares, Gulf red snapper, LAPP AP
Posted in CCA Gulf of Mexico, Catch Shares | 5 Comments »
