CCA News Item

The International Game Fish Association has named Coastal Conservation Association as a recipient of its prestigious Conservation Award, established to honor organizations that have made significant and outstanding contributions to the cause of conservation in the freshwater, saltwater and fly fishing communities.
“This award is for the tens of thousands of CCA volunteers who have worked so hard over the last 30 years to advance the cause of proper marine resource conservation,” said David Cummins, CCA president. “All of them contribute their time, money and expertise because they see a need and have the ability to fill it. That sort of work is its own reward, but it is also gratifying when a group like IGFA recognizes those achievements.”
CCA was founded in 1977 by a handful of anglers in Texas frustrated at the demise of once-robust redfish populations at the hands of commercial netters. CCA’s spirit of conservation and stewardship started with the "Save the Redfish" campaign and soon swept across the entire Gulf Coast. By 1985, Gulf-state chapters had formed from Texas to Florida. By decade’s end, state chapters were founded through the mid-Atlantic region, and by the early ‘90s, development of the New England state chapters was completed to address state, national and international issues as a united Coastal Conservation Association.
“Everything CCA has been able to achieve over the past 30 years is due to its grassroots organization of dedicated volunteers,” said Pat Murray, CCA Vice President and Director of Conservation. “All of our members are all drawn by the same desire to make a positive difference and they never let an occasional setback keep them down. It is their creativity, commitment and perseverance that have allowed CCA to become a force for marine resource conservation.”
“CCA VA members can be proud of this recognition,” said State Chairman John Bello, “This prestigious award is a direct result of volunteer activity in each of the state chapters, and CCA VA has played an instrumental role in the conservation of marine resources in our state.” 
Among other notable achievements in its history, CCA volunteers have helped establish game fish status for billfish and redfish, enacted net bans in four states, and outlawed many destructive gear types. CCA is also recognized by fisheries managers as instrumental in the recovery of redfish, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, striped bass, Gulf grouper, and Atlantic weakfish.

Coastal Conservation Association is a national organization of 90,000 members in 15 state chapters. CCA’s mission is to advise and educate the public on conservation of marine resources. The objective of CCA is to conserve, promote and enhance the present and future availability of these coastal resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the general public.