A (my) Word About Conservation Groups

[Ray]

There has been a lot of talk about the problems and issues with the various conservation groups here in NE and throughout the nation. I can understand how and why some people like and agree, and dislike and disagree with the various positions of these groups.

I think what we should keep in mind is something is better than nothing. As recreational fisherpersons we should get involved with the conservation and management of the species (and not just stripers) that provide us with so much enjoyment.

As the president of a local conservation group chapter, I have nearly 400 members in my chapter, but only see about 15% of them at events.

So get directly involved with the issues and positions you are passionate about. It will be rewarding in the end.

[Quicksilver]

Well said!

[Onshore]

I'll buy into that, Ray.

After seven years as a member and five as an officer/director of the NH Chapter of CCA; I have very little use for the national organization, but the state group has done everything good a marine conservation group should do. And I support it completely.

[dewey]

im just kinda wondering does it cost money to join the cca and other conservation groups.can anyone tell me:confused:

[Ray]

A one year membership to CCA is $25. This cost includes a subscription to our national magazie, TIDE.

If you have any questions regarding membership or CCA in general please email me.

Ray

[h2p530]

Ray what kinda steps does your group take toward conservation. I have never read anything about your group CCA.I would like to know.I"m always interested I thinks that might keep me going longer.

[bones]

I support Ray and the Coastal Conservation Association.

CCA was founded in Texas by some folks who have a genuine love for fishing. One weekend in 1977, a couple of them fished Port O'Connor, Texas, and caught nothing. Fishing had been getting poorer for years. They decided to drop in to a local fish shop to purchase a few fish to take home. They entered the establishment and to their horror observed the shop floor to be literally KNEE-DEEP in redfish,........and a pick-up truckbed overflowing with redfish being off-loaded with a snowshovel. All "caught" by commercial netters using the newly developed gill-nets. These gillnets were placed strategically in certain areas known to hold ACRES of redfish (by spotters in airplanes). The redfish were then literally herded like cattle into these gill-nets............not a chance for survival. The nets also wiped-out eveything else in the area..

"We need to do something about this".

Thus the birth of the Gulf Coast Conservation Association,.........which has since grown and spread from the Texas Gulf Coast all the way to Maine. It is now called the Coastal Conservation Association. We are a private non-profit organization. We spend our money on conservation programs.

Because of the efforts of CCA, all gill-netting in Texas has been outlawed and redfish from the wild has been taken off the restaurant menus (there are a few redfish "farms" that supply the restaurants.....tastes kinda like catfish). The harvest of Redfish in Texas is OFF-LIMITS to all but the recreational angler,.......me and you!!!!! CCA assists Texas Parks and Wildlife by donating equipment to surveil and roundup the cheaters. An active re-stocking program using CCA, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and other funding (from large Corporations, i.e., Big Oil money) has restored the redfish population in Texas to historic levels. (Please refer to my Thread in the Gulf States-Louisiana-Texas Forum entitled "Return to POC).
CCA successfully lobies many new conservation programs in State and Federal Legislatures. CCA is adamantly against openning the EEZ.

I strongly urge every one of us with that love for the sport join and actively support one of the finest sportsman's conservation groups on this planet.......Coastal Conservation Association. Don't sit back and expect your state governments to legislate good conservation programs, ....remember, your legislators are owned by your worst enemy, Commercial Fisheries interests.

Click this: www.joincca.org and sign-up!

Let me leave with this final note. I am not an agent of CCA other than as a private sportsman with a general membership who funnels a few extra dollars into the banquets,(where I always seem to win "something"..) I consider my membership in CCA with great pride as it allows me to help direct the future of my favorite sport..........stalking the vast Texas flats, in solitude, sight-casting to and battling the big reds with my longstick.

Please pass this to all of your fishin' buddies.

[Ray]

Ya...what he said.