Corpusfishing.com

[cephus]

Check out http://2coolfishing.com/cca.pdf to see how CCA minds work. Personaly, I think they lost their frigging minds!
_________________
Off Shore Port Mansfield

[Tyler]

We had a big discussion about that at the meeting last night and as it turns out this is not a proposal they are promoting whatsoever. In effect it was a think tank session with about 10 other groups trying to toss out ideas, thinking out of the box and seeing if anything stuck. This was put out for discussion only and it even lists the problems if it were to be put into effect. It was an idea that never went anywhere but someone got a hold of it and said "see what CCA wants to do!"

I have not agreed with a lot of things that the CCA National folks might do but a lot of these folks like to poke a sharp stick in CCA's eyes if they see a chance. I think there is room for all organizations like SCA , CCA, SEA and RFA.

[cephus]

Tyler, thanks for clearing up the issue, but for some reason, I don't exactly trust CCA's upper management.
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Off Shore Port Mansfield

[bk005]

I think they should release red snapper with frickin lazer beams attached to there foreheads.

[Capt Mike Singleterry]

Damit....bkoo5...you made Dr. Pepper come out my nose....

Mike

[Rebecca of Sunnybrookfarm]

ROTFLMAO! that is a good one.
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[Capt Mike Singleterry]

This wonderful idea by the cca went on the record today. I received a email from Mr. Smarr with the RFA.
I will try to post it up later this evening...TT I am fowarding you a copy of the email.

Mike

[Rebecca of Sunnybrookfarm]

uh, until you hear it from CCA (instead of Mr. Smarr, who doesn't always represent CCA), I wouldn't put much stock into documents floating around.

and who knows, I read the leaked "position paper" to sound kind of tongue-in-cheek, like A Modest Proposal.

sometimes you just can't take everything at face value these days when politics gets involved with fisheries.
_________________

[Capt Mike Singleterry]

[Tyler]

This is that same discussion and the same thing that was first put on 2coolfishing's board that was leaked out of context in that April 10th think outside the box discussion with those ten other interest groups put out in a different form. Was it put forth as an idea? Yes, and It was dumped and discarded and never seriously considered which is why none of the Texas CCA guys had ever even heard of it. It never got footing.

I wish RFA would actually DO something in Texas. If you look at their own website citing their accomplishments there are at best four things they have tried to do in Texas that I have highlighted in blue. They have only lobbied and filed suit in Texas. The ones they won say “successfully lobbied” and “won a lawsuit”. I commend them on their accomplishments in other states but really, what has RFA actually done in Texas besides whizzing on CCA’s cornflakes trying to hawk memberships?

I don’t agree with CCA National on a lot of things including the Snapper regs. You have to remember that CCA is a national group, all the other CCA Gulf Coast states are grumbling about how Texas is not affected with snapper regs. But, you can damn sure point to stuff including concrete and mortar places like the UTMSI center that not just CCA has done but CCA Texas has done.

Thanks,

TT

About RFA & Our Accomplishments


Spearheaded the effort to pass legislation to restrict menhaden harvesting by reduction vessels in the Long Island Sound.

Spearheaded legislation in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island to ban the harvest of valuable inshore forage fish and eliminate menhaden harvest for reduction purposes inside state waters.

Spearheaded national campaign to ban pelagic drift longlines as a gear type in all US waters and territories. RFA was called upon to testify at the House Resources Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans Subcommittee hearing regarding the pros and cons of three different bills concerning this commercial fishing gear type, which ultimately resulted in a reduced and restricted fishing fleet.

Successfully lobbied members of congress to include recognition of the recreational fishing industry under the definition of fishing community in the 2006 reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

Testified before the National Research Council and House Resources Committee on the need to improve recreational data collection programs at the national level, which ultimately led to the addition of a federal saltwater registry requirement and the reform of MRFSS.

Filed a 301 petition with US State Department demanding accountability for non-compliance by foreign commercial fishing fleets of international fishing treaties which the US is a contracting party.

Successfully lobbied NMFS from issuing exempted fishing permits to pelagic drift longline vessels to set gear in closed areas off the East Coast of Florida and South Carolina.

Requested a congressional hearing to investigate the high incidences of striped bass bycatch inherent with the sink gillnet fishery in federal waters.

Successfully fought a proposed increase in the harvest limits of the commercial striped bass fishery in the Chesapeake Bay.

Successfully lobbied to keep “game fish” designation for striped bass in New Jersey and subsequently killed the bill that would have changed the law.

Successfully campaigned to keep federal waters (EEZ) closed to the harvest of striped bass.

Successfully lobbied to ban the use of destructive oceanic driftnet gear for swordfish in the Atlantic.

Spearheaded a coalition that defeated NJS457, the glass eel bill, which would have allowed harvesting of elvers (glass eels) in New Jersey waters.

Successfully formed a New England coalition and lobbied to ban pelagic pair trawling for HMS from all Atlantic waters.

Successfully lobbied to protect recreational fishermen from state-imposed ground fish closures (codfish and haddock) in the Gulf of Maine.

Only national group to stop a fleet of longline vessels from taking up port in the new Charleston Maritime Center and prevented them from destroying a scientifically recognized swordfish nursery off the South Carolina Coast-AKA the Battle of Charleston.

First organization to recognize Sargassum to be a vitally important habitat and successfully lobbied to have Sargassum protected as essential fish habitat.

Successfully fought to keep the Occulina Marine Preserve open to recreational fishing.

Lobbied against the Callahan Amendment, an amendment that would have extended state waters in Alabama to 9 miles and provided a loophole that would permit the shrimp industry substantially more bycatch. The amendment was defeated.

Lobbied to halt “Blanket Marine Reserves” from denying access to recreational fishermen in the Gulf waters.

Filed suit against the NMFS for the unjustified restrictions and bag limits on recreational anglers who fish for Red Snapper.

Co-plaintiff on a suit filed against the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the State of Texas over the closure of the “Nine-Mile Hole” to general boat traffic thereby restricting fishing access to recreational fishermen.

Spearheaded the development of the Gulf Law Enforcement Task Force to reign in illegal red snapper harvest

Requested a management plan for squid, an extremely valuable forage fish, in Californian waters.

Working with groups in California to secure permanent funding and materials for current artificial reef programs.

Fought for and is continuing to fight for equity in representation on the North Pacific Fishery Council. The first two recreational appointments were made after intensive RFA lobbying efforts.

Spearheaded a lobbying campaign to ban destructive and inefficient oceanic gillnets from Pacific waters.

Currently lobbying to protect the guided recreational halibut fishery from losing quota to commercial privatization.

Lobbied successfully for a recreational nominee to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

Fought for the rejection of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (NPFMC) inadequate allocation provided for guided sportfishing vessels in Alaska under the guideline harvest level (GHl) for halibut and the individual fishing quotas (IFQ’s).

Worked with the California Striped Bass Association to extend the angling method regulations to account for the mortality occurring in ocean waters as well as inland waters.

Successfully lobbied to secure continued Mitchell Act funding for pacific salmon hatcheries.

Successfully lobbied US State Department and US Commerce Department to stop the International Pacific Halibut Commission from taking away the rights of the NPFMC to set season, size and bag limits in the Pacific Halibut guided sportfishery.

Conducting cooperative research to help create a new recreational chilipepper rockfish fishery

Supported and lobbied for HB 1706, an anti shark-finning bill that will protect Sharks from this wasteful fishing practice. The bill was passed and signed by President Bill Clinton.


Here is what CCA has accomplished just in Texas

CCA Texas has awarded more than $3,000,000 in college scholarships through its STAR tournament and graduate scholarship programs.
CCA Texas funded a $700,000 marine science laboratory building in Port Aransas called the CCA Texas Laboratory for Marine Larviculture. This building will provide a facility to study recreational fish species for hatchery restocking purposes.
CCA Texas has contributed $700,000 to TPWD in the last five years for night vision and other much-needed enforcement and research needs.
CCA Texas has five, fully endowed graduate-level marine science scholarships - Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, College Station and Galveston and the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas.
The CCA/AEP Hatchery in Flour Bluff and Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson continue to produce tens of millions of juvenile redfish, speckled trout and flounder for stocking Texas’ bays and provide state-of-the-art research into important recreational species.
CCA Texas Big Bay Debris Cleanup Project I and II surpassed 1,150 tons of harmful debris removed from Aransas Pass to Baffin Bay, marking the largest and most successful initiative of its kind.
CCA Texas has contributed $95,000 to the Bahia Grande marsh restoration project near Brownsville. This project restored over 10,000 acres of wetlands and is the largest project of its kind in the country.
CCA Texas has spearheaded the coast-wide abandoned crab trap clean-ups in funding and volunteer manpower with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, resulting in the removal of over 20,000 derelict crab traps from Texas bays and estuaries in the last five years. CCA Texas has secured $60,000 in funding for the initiative.
CCA Texas contributed $44,000 to the Galveston Bay Foundation to restore and protect 300 acres of marsh land in West Galveston Bay.
CCA Texas contributed $40,000 to the University of Texas for a journalism scholarship in memory of Bob Brister, a Houston area journalist instrumental in the early success of the organization.
CCA Texas funded $37,000 recreational fishing mortality study for red snapper.
CCA Texas funded $32,000 to TPWD game wardens for the construction of a floating cabin to be placed in the land cut to help enforce this remote area.
CCA Texas funded $32,000 for a Port Mansfield (East Cut) study to help determine the effects and benefits of this pass.
CCA Texas funded $30,500 for a snook study at the CCA Texas Laboratory for Marine Larviculture in Port Aransas, to help explore the possibility of spawning snook for hatchery restocking purposes.
CCA Texas funded $30,000 for a phase I and II of the spotted sea trout catch-and-release mortality study by Dr. Greg Stunz, Associate Professor at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
CCA Texas contributed $25,000 to TPWD’s Goose Island State Park project to help restore 20 acres of eroded marsh land.
CCA Texas funded $20,000 to the CCA/AEP Marine Development Center for Equipment to enhance fingerling production.
CCA Texas funded $19,000 for lab equipment for the University of Texas Marine Science Institute-Port Aransas to further hatchery research into ling and other finfish production.
CCA Texas provided $10,000 in funding for a crititcally important study on the viability of opening Cedar Bayou in Mesquite Bay.
CCA Texas provided $5,000 in funding for the publication of research results of an international symposium on tarpon stock status and management.
CCA Texas retains a water attorney in dealing with vital freshwater inflow issues.
CCA Texas has funded two intern programs for the TPWD Corpus Christi field station for the past five years and recently initiated similar positions at the Dickinson and Rockport Labs to further TPWD’s local training efforts.
CCA Texas continues to lead the charge to ensure sufficient freshwater inflows into Texas bays and estuaries on a legislative and legal level.
CCA Texas produces an award-winning state newsletter, Currents, and also aides in the production of the nationally acclaimed magazine, TIDE.
CCA Texas has two lobbyists to address conservation issues in Austin that impact the entire Texas coast.
CCA Texas retains a fisheries consultant and federal lobbyist to enhance conservation efforts in Gulf fisheries issues and has representation at every Gulf
CCA Texas has awarded more than $3,000,000 in college scholarships through its STAR tournament and graduate scholarship programs.
CCA Texas funded a $700,000 marine science laboratory building in Port Aransas called the CCA Texas Laboratory for Marine Larviculture. This building will provide a facility to study recreational fish species for hatchery restocking purposes.
CCA Texas has contributed $700,000 to TPWD in the last five years for night vision and other much-needed enforcement and research needs.
CCA Texas has five, fully endowed graduate-level marine science scholarships - Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, College Station and Galveston and the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas.
The CCA/AEP Hatchery in Flour Bluff and Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson continue to produce tens of millions of juvenile redfish, speckled trout and flounder for stocking Texas’ bays and provide state-of-the-art research into important recreational species.
CCA Texas Big Bay Debris Cleanup Project I and II surpassed 1,150 tons of harmful debris removed from Aransas Pass to Baffin Bay, marking the largest and most successful initiative of its kind.
CCA Texas has contributed $95,000 to the Bahia Grande marsh restoration project near Brownsville. This project restored over 10,000 acres of wetlands and is the largest project of its kind in the country.
CCA Texas has spearheaded the coast-wide abandoned crab trap clean-ups in funding and volunteer manpower with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, resulting in the removal of over 20,000 derelict crab traps from Texas bays and estuaries in the last five years. CCA Texas has secured $60,000 in funding for the initiative.
CCA Texas contributed $44,000 to the Galveston Bay Foundation to restore and protect 300 acres of marsh land in West Galveston Bay.
CCA Texas contributed $40,000 to the University of Texas for a journalism scholarship in memory of Bob Brister, a Houston area journalist instrumental in the early success of the organization.
CCA Texas funded $37,000 recreational fishing mortality study for red snapper.
CCA Texas funded $32,000 to TPWD game wardens for the construction of a floating cabin to be placed in the land cut to help enforce this remote area.
CCA Texas funded $32,000 for a Port Mansfield (East Cut) study to help determine the effects and benefits of this pass.
CCA Texas funded $30,500 for a snook study at the CCA Texas Laboratory for Marine Larviculture in Port Aransas, to help explore the possibility of spawning snook for hatchery restocking purposes.
CCA Texas funded $30,000 for a phase I and II of the spotted sea trout catch-and-release mortality study by Dr. Greg Stunz, Associate Professor at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
CCA Texas contributed $25,000 to TPWD’s Goose Island State Park project to help restore 20 acres of eroded marsh land.
CCA Texas funded $20,000 to the CCA/AEP Marine Development Center for Equipment to enhance fingerling production.
CCA Texas funded $19,000 for lab equipment for the University of Texas Marine Science Institute-Port Aransas to further hatchery research into ling and other finfish production.
CCA Texas provided $10,000 in funding for a crititcally important study on the viability of opening Cedar Bayou in Mesquite Bay.
CCA Texas provided $5,000 in funding for the publication of research results of an international symposium on tarpon stock status and management.
CCA Texas retains a water attorney in dealing with vital freshwater inflow issues.
CCA Texas has funded two intern programs for the TPWD Corpus Christi field station for the past five years and recently initiated similar positions at the Dickinson and Rockport Labs to further TPWD’s local training efforts.
CCA Texas continues to lead the charge to ensure sufficient freshwater inflows into Texas bays and estuaries on a legislative and legal level.
CCA Texas produces an award-winning state newsletter, Currents, and also aides in the production of the nationally acclaimed magazine, TIDE.
CCA Texas has two lobbyists to address conservation issues in Austin that impact the entire Texas coast.
CCA Texas retains a fisheries consultant and federal lobbyist to enhance conservation efforts in Gulf fisheries issues and has representation at every Gulf

[Capt Mike Singleterry]

As I said in my last email to you TT according to the information I received the cca went on the record with this proposal. So I'm sure if the Texas boys didn't know about it they soon will.
As far as the cca accomplishments as I told you I belonged along time before most of the board members here and spent alot of time , money and effort in promoting their direction. Until the move to Houston, Texas.
So please don't direct a list of accomplishments of the cca for me to review, I was a part of the early ones.


Mike

[2salty4U]

[Im Headed South]

Very nice post Tyler. I have a few of items to add.
$30,000-To SeaCenter Texas for equipment upgrades for flounder stocking research.
$100,000-To new Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow program. Expect a announcement shortly of this programs first project. Hint-It should make the bluewater boys happy.
$225,000-To Shrimp License Buyback Program.
Not to mention the thousands of man hours the members do all along the coast. Sure the people may have done the work anyway (maybe they wouldn't) but the organizing that goes on at the chapter level sure helps streamline the work.

I could find more I'm sure but these were ones I could think of off the top of my head that I did not see listed.

Michael
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