CCA Texas and Volunteers Move Forward

In the last 18 months, CCA Texas, members, supporters, and sponsors have faced many uncertainties and challenges. In the “can do” spirit, 2021 began with guarded optimism that the year was going to be better than 2020 and our daily lives would begin to return to normal. Then came the February freeze. CCA Texas and the STAR Tournament Committee moved immediately and announced major changes to the tournament format that would leave no impact on already freeze-stricken coastal fisheries. The Babes on the Bay – All Women’s Fishing Tournament, hosted by the Aransas Bay CCA Chapter, followed suit and announced the tournament would move to a Catch-Photo-Release format, and spotted sea trout would be removed from the tournament. State and local chapter leadership recognized changes had to be made in the best interest of the fishery, and changes were made.

As time moved along and needs were accessed, CCA Texas Executive and State Boards made the commitment to assist Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) hatchery programs as needed. Through an electronic vote, CCA Texas’ Board of Directors approved $152,000 to aid the Sea Center Texas Hatchery in Lake Jackson, TPWD – CCA Marine Development Center (CCA MDC) in Flour Bluff, Texas to ramp up their production of juvenile speckled trout and redfish. With these funds, TPWD biologists at Sea Center Texas were able to purchase and install liner replacements for three rearing ponds, allowing them to immediately increase fingerling production as some of the ponds were entirely out of commission and the remainder required frequent repair. Additionally, CCA Texas funding allowed for the replacement of four vital heat exchangers for the speckled trout brood tank systems at the CCA MDC to ensure proper temperature control and allow staff to increase the spawning period and maximize egg production of speckled trout broodstock. CCA Texas is proud to maintain its longtime commitment to TPWD hatcheries, and will remain committed for future needs of the hatcheries as we all work together to ensure healthy coastal fisheries.

As we passed through the month of May, CCA Texas and local chapters have held 27 banquets and the Babes on the Bay – All Women’s Fishing Tournament.  With caution and guarded optimism, local chapters began holding banquets following all the necessary and required guidelines of the CDC and the local communities. The early banquets of February and March set the tone for what is shaping up to be a very successful year. Volunteers and community supporters have been eager to return to local community events, and support has been stronger than ever. CCA Texas is blessed to have the support of a strong volunteer network and communities that support the organization.  We are looking forward to a strong second half of 2021 that includes some of the state’s largest events in Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi and El Campo. The stage has been set for success as the local chapters are working diligently and communities are ready to take part in ensuring Texas’s coastal resources are healthy for present and future generations.  Be sure to visit the CCA Texas calendar of banquet events at www.ccatexas.org.

Advocacy and Habitat efforts continue to remain strong all along the coast. CCA Texas’s habitat initiative, Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow (HTFT), and CCA National habitat program, Building Conservation Trust (BCT), have now provided over $8.3 million in funding to habitat projects here on the Texas coast. These efforts would not be possible without the partnerships forged with TPWD, Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF), Coastal Bend Bay and Estuaries Program (CBBEP), Harte Research Institute (HRI), Friends of RGV Reefs, Friends of Sabine Reefs, and many other like organizations and corporate partners. Habitat restoration and creation takes a joint effort by many and CCA Texas and BCT are proud to be a part of these continuing efforts. CCA Texas Governmental Affairs Committee and Advocacy Director, Shane Bonnot, continue to stay busy following legislative efforts that may affect coastal fisheries management. After a busy oyster season and the introduction of oyster mariculture in Texas, CCA Texas will continue to monitor and work with coastal fisheries to ensure this important habitat is managed to the best practices as possible. Oysters are a building block to a healthy ecosystem, and we must continue to work on the management of this important resource.

If you have not registered yourself and family for STAR be sure to do so now. There are lots of great prizes up for grabs including boats, trucks, and scholarships. Do not take a chance on missing out. As I write this article, I was notified of two catches made over the Memorial Day weekend by anglers that were not registered. Both fish were released and swam away, and memories were made of what could have been. Do not miss out! Get registered today online, at registration stations, or simply call the CCA Texas office at (713) 626-4222.  The 2021 STAR is all Catch-Clip-Release, so be sure to read all the rules and visit the STAR Tournament online at www.startournament.org for all the details.

Have a great summer and we look forward to seeing you at local chapter events!

CCA Texas STAR Tagged Redfish – Tag Removal and Release