Update from Wayne Kotow, Executive Director, CCA-CAL
CCA-CAL has been working hard on building the correct infrastructure for success. Our mission statement is: “Conserving the resource and anglers’ access to it.” Our three main goals are to keep our fisheries open with pro-fisheries legislation and preventing arbitrary no-fishing zones, building artificial reefs, and increasing the finfish hatchery program.
But that is not all CCA-CAL has done. As previously published, CCA-CAL joined with American Sportfishing Association (ASA) to show that banning traditional fishing tackle in California will cause significant economic harm. CCA-CAL has also published its position to the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) against the use of drift gill nets and any other destructive gear. Our goal is to reduce unnecessary bycatch that hurt resources.To accomplish these goals we have to have a strong membership base and that starts with building local chapters. The first two local chapters in Los Angeles and San Diego are being formed and we are not stopping there. CCA-CAL is looking to form a chapter in Orange County and continue working up the coastline. “Anybody who wants to be part of a local chapter board can contact me.” says Wayne. “Once the local chapter board is formed, we will be holding local membership meetings and moving forward with fundraising efforts.” Membership and fundraising are the lifeblood of the organization. The success of CCA is based upon a huge grassroots system.
CCA-CAL has a goal to enhance the habitat in the coastal California waters. We have partnered with California Ships-to-Reefs in their efforts to increase the hardscape off of our California coastline. Ships-to-Reefs has been very successful in finding ships and getting them sunk in strategic locations to create new habitat. Together we can increase the badly needed habitat in California. This is a win-win situation for both divers and fishermen.
Lastly, CCA-CAL has provided the insurance for all of the white seabass grow out pens in the White Seabass Hatchery Enhancement Program. The Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program (OREHP) is an experimental hatchery program investigating the feasibility of using cultured marine finfish to successfully enhance wild fish populations White seabass are spawned and reared at a hatchery in Carlsbad, which is owned and operated by Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute (HSWRI). The hatchery provides juvenile white seabass, 4 inches in length, to 13 grow-out facilities operated by volunteers throughout southern California. The fish are held at the grow-out facilities until they are ready for release, typically at around 8 to 10 inches in length. OREHP is one of the few stocking programs dedicated to assessing the biological and economic impacts of its releases, and it is the only program of its kind on the West Coast of North America. Through its responsible approach and extensive, self-imposed scientific review process, OREHP has established itself as a model for stocking programs worldwide. In addition, The UASC White Seabass Committee has been changed to the CCA-CAL White Seabass Committee.
CCA-CAL is working with the Dick Laub Fisheries Replenishment Program, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, marine science community and recreational anglers to get the next species authorized for release.
CCA-CAL is working on all of the main goals simultaneously while also working on the grassroots efforts of local chapters and memberships.
If you would like to help, please contact Wayne at WKOTOW@CCACALIFORNIA.ORG.
California Ships to Reefs and CCA-CAL Form Alliance
California Ships to Reefs, Inc. (CSTR) is pleased to announce an alliance with Coastal Conservation Association of California (CCA-CAL). CCA-CAL’s leadership and membership consist of thousands of recreational anglers and outdoors enthusiasts. CCA California’s objective is to conserve, promote, and enhance the present and future availability of coastal resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the general public.
“We could not have stated it better ourselves,” stated Greg Wolf, CSTR’s Public Information Officer. “CSTR is proud to ally with such an outstanding organization and we look forward to finding ways to work together in the future.”
“We all need to work together for the conservation and sustainability of our coastal resources. This is an excellent example of two groups working together for the benefit of all outdoor enthusiasts as well as the sea life,” stated Wayne Kotow, CCA-CAL’s Executive Director. “CCA-CAL members will be working with Ships to Reefs in their efforts to create the additionally needed habitat in California.”
California Ships to Reefs, Inc., is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit public benefit corporation. Its mission is to supplement California coast’s natural reef environments by increasing the economic opportunities of all California coastal communities. CSTR will provide increased economic benefit through sport fishing and scuba diving opportunities which will become recreational attractions functioning in harmony with marine ecosystems.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Sept 1 – Dec 31
California Scorpionfish (Sculpin) Closed from Mendocino to the Mexican Border for boat based anglers HTTPS://WWW.WILDLIFE.CA.GOV/FISHING/OCEAN/REGULATIONS/GROUNDFISH-SUMMARY
Sept 9 – 16
Pacific Fishery Management Council – DoubleTree By Hilton Sacramento, 2001 Point West Way, Sacramento, CA 95815 Pacific Fisheries Management Council to consider swordfish fishery management and other matters affecting west coast fisheries.
Newsletter Editor and Designer: Heather Peterek
Newsletter Consulting Editors: Pat Murray and Ted Venker
The objective of CCA is to conserve, promote, and enhance the present and future availability of coastal resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the general public.
