Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida,
Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina,
Virginia, Maryland, New York, Connecticut,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine,
Oregon, Washington

United in Conservation 

CCA: Building Conservation
February/March 2010

CCA's Commitment to Marine Habitat

     The 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 achieving one or more of five key objectives:

 - Restore degraded habitats

-- Create new habitats

-- Advance the science of coastal habitat restoration and marine fisheries conservation

-- Foster habitat stewardship

 - Educate coastal communities of the value of conservation

    Building Conservation 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.

CCA Louisiana: I-10 Twin Spans Reef Project
     The I-10 Twin Span Reef Project, in Lake Ponchartrain is underway, with Boh Bros Construction Company dropping the first pieces in early February. This massive artificial reef project will be the first project of its kind in Louisiana where #57 limestone has previously been required for use  for reefs. The limestone is a great reef material, but it is expensive and has to be shipped in.  The ability to use debris material from the I-10 bridge that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina will be an incredible step for Louisiana, and will hopefully open the door for many more projects like it across our coast. John Walther, the artificial reef coordinator with CCA Louisiana's Habitat and Conservation Committee, and many other volunteers, anglers and conservationists have been instrumental in bringing the project along from concept to reality.
     This is habitat building at its best. Click HERE for an article that appeared in TIDE magazine recently about the project and stay tuned for more news as this incredible project moves towards completion.

Old Twin Span Bridges get new lease on life
Video
WWLTV
March 3, 2010

CCA North Carolina: Oyster recycling efforts continue
     Raleigh-area residents will soon have 12 new places to deposit their used oyster shells and help the environment at the same time. The drop-off centers will be the most recent additions to a growing number of spots in North Carolina where the public can help reduce the landfill waste and restore oyster reefs by recycling oyster shells. Oyster shells collected through the program are placed back in North Carolina coastal waters to provide a place for baby oysters to attach and grow. For years, the state has used oyster shells in oyster rehabilitation programs, primarily purchasing the shells from oyster shucking operations. However, as demand for oyster shells has increased, so has the cost. The Oyster Shell Recycling Program started in the fall of 2003 to establish public places where people could donate their shells. The program has grown from collecting 711 bushels of oyster shells in 2003 to more than 32,000 bushels in 2007. More than 86,700 bushels have been collected since the program’s inception. CCA North Carolina’s Jim Hardin and Chris Elkins have been on the forefront of the Oyster Shell Recycling Program and each continues to volunteer his time picking up oyster shells at various sites across the state. CCA NC has also purchased a trailer in which Pitt County restaurants use to haul the oyster shells to each site.

CCA South Carolina: Topwater Action Campaign on Tap for Summer
     CCA SC‘s habitat program has been in full swing throughout the winter season collecting oysters for recycling. The results of those winter efforts will soon be put to use with the beginning of the summer oyster reef restoration efforts. Last year, CCA SC volunteers and members participated in the construction of four oyster reefs up and down the coast of South Carolina. This year’s efforts will be more ambitious. “Watching this program develop and grow has been extremely exciting for CCA SC,” said Scott Whitaker, CCA SC executive director. “To have the volunteers come together and focus on habitat improvement and to see the support that continues to build from local communities and businesses for this effort is overwhelming.”

     CCA SC is currently scheduling activities with the state Department of Natural Resources S.C.O.R.E. program revolving around bagging and preparing the oysters for distribution along the coast. Actual oyster reef projects will scheduled soon afterward. Visit the CCA SC website for dates, times, and locations of coming events.

CCA Texas: Nueces Bay project
     CCA Texas’ Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow (HTFT) is donating $10,000 and joining hands with the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program (CBBEP) and the Fish America Foundation (FAF) to help restore 150 acres of marsh that has been lost to various factors along Nueces Bay’s Portland Causeway.
     “This project is vital to restoring this once dynamic area,” said HTFT Director John Blaha. “With a little help, this area will become prime habitat for many species including crabs, shrimp and bait fish. Once this occurs, gamefish will follow and the circle of life will be restored.”
     CCA Texas’ HTFT Program, a major habitat restoration program that was initiated in 2008, has already dedicated tens of thousands of dollars for various projects including reef creation and marsh restoration initiatives along Texas’ near-shore waters. The projects are funded through CCA Texas fundraising efforts as well as with outside support from individuals, corporations and foundations.
     “CCA Texas has placed a major emphasis on habitat projects and this project, much like the Goose Island project in Aransas Bay and the Sportsman Road project in Galveston Bay, are a major step forward in restoring and conserving vital habitat areas for the future,” stated Robby Byers, CCA Texas executive director. “The more habitat areas we can restore today means more habitat, more fish, and better angling opportunities for the future. CCA Texas is able to continue this important work thanks to the dedication of our 50,000 members who understand the importance of giving today for a brighter future tomorrow. CCA Texas is proud to be a partner with CBBEP and FAF in this important project.”

CCA Washington: Fish Flinging
     During mid-December members of the Southwest Washington Chapter, working with the Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, participated in a series of nutrient enhancement events on the Washougal River. On Dec. 15, 23 volunteers from CCA Washington met at the Washougal River Salmon Hatchery to help spawn Coho salmon. On that date, more than 500 wild fish were passed above the hatchery to continue their upstream spawning migration, 300 pairs of Coho were spawned (offspring will be raised at the Washougal Hatchery) and 1,100 fish were held aside to be placed back into the watershed.
     After their spawning cycle is complete, salmon naturally die and the nutrients from their flesh are a critical element to the survival of their offspring, not to mention a myriad of other plants, fish and wildlife. So on Dec. 19, more than 20 CCA Washington volunteers returned to the Washougal River, loaded up several hundred salmon carcasses and distributed them back into the Washougal River. Not only was it a fun couple of days but the chapter made positive steps in rebuilding our resource.
     The chapter will be doing a follow-up event in early spring where thousands of frozen carcasses will be passed through a wood chipper to go back into the river.

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