CCA Texas Funds Artificial Reef Project

$50,000 to help establish nearshore reef off Port Mansfield

The CCA Texas Executive Board recently approved $50,000 for the development of another artificial reef in state waters. The Port Mansfield nearshore reefing project, spearheaded by the Texas Parks Wildlife Department (TPWD) Artificial Reef Program, is located approximately seven nautical miles out of Port Mansfield in about 65 feet of water.

This contribution is the latest by the CCA Texas Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow (HTFT) program, which is dedicated to creating and restoring habitat for the coastal fisheries of Texas. This latest contribution brings the total contributions and dollars secured by HTFT to $135,000 for nearshore artificial reefing up and down the Texas coast.

"These funds will assist TPWD in developing a spectacular nearshore fishing reef at the Port Mansfield PS-1047 (South Padre Island 1047) reefing site," said Dale Shively, TPWD Artificial Reef Program Coordinator.

The reef is located a short boat ride out of Port Mansfield jetties and was intended to accommodate fishermen with smaller boats. With its close proximity, the reef makes an excellent destination for the average weekend angler.

"In July of this year, the program reefed a 100-foot tugboat and 800 concrete culverts ranging in size from 24 inches to 72 inches, and has several hundred more to deploy within this 160 acre site," said Shively. "The funds from CCA Texas are greatly appreciated by both TPWD and the local community at Port Mansfield. This is another great example of how a non-profit organization can team up with the State of Texas to play an even larger role in the stewardship of our marine resources."

CCA Texas' contribution to the Port Mansfield reefing project along with the April 2009 commitment to the Vancouver reefing site off Freeport is helping to bring the vision of the TPWD nearshore reefing program closer to reality for anglers and the state's marine resources. The effort to bring valuable habitat to the Texas nearshore waters has been hugely successful in other states such as Alabama. CCA Texas is proud to be a part of the program and will continue to find opportunities to create productive reefing sites up and down the entire Texas coast for all recreational anglers to enjoy.

"Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow is an initiative and commitment that CCA Texas takes very seriously," said Mark Ray, chairman of CCA Texas. "These offshore reefing projects will impact the Gulf of Mexico fishery for generations. We remain committed to finding partners like the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Offshore Reefing initiative that maximize the impact of the dollars raised by our volunteers."

Other conservation news and events:

CCA Texas works on behalf of all recreational anglers to ensure that we have healthy marine resources to enjoy now and for future generations. Be sure to visit www.ccatexas.org and get the details on remaining banquets in Texas by visiting the calendar of events. You might also want to check out what is going on in your local chapter by clicking on the "Local Chapters" tab as well. Contact your local president or Assistant Director if you want to get more involved.

The Third Annual CCA Texas FishStix golf tournament is slated for Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at Longwood Golf Club located in Cypress, Texas. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to spend a little of your free time on dry land but still support the conservation efforts of CCA Texas. For more information, contact Erick Burke at 713.626.4222.