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Table
of Contents:
Conservation and Good Times Mix at CCA
Florida Convention
(Seawatch, October 2006)
by
Mike Dambro, CCA Florida Regional Director
The organization’s first annual summer convention
brought together members and their families for three days of fun, outdoor
activities and conservation seminars.
In ancient times, Hawaiians held traditional feasts called
ahaaina to mark special occasions—the birth of a child, a successful
harvest or victorious battle. The modern term for these feasts, “luau,”
is a gathering of family and friends to enjoy good food, good company,
and good times!
So it was only fitting that CCA Florida’s inaugural state convention
ended with a luau. There was plenty to celebrate with the families and
friends who attended. There have been many victorious battles in our 21-year
history, and now we have created a new tradition, a state convention that
every member can look forward to year after year.
Inter-chapter
Challenge
The long weekend began Thursday night, July 27, with a captain’s
meeting for the Third Annual Inter-Chapter Challenge fishing tournament.
The evening started with a casual cookout at the beautiful River Palms
Cottages on the shores of the Indian River in Jensen Beach. After everyone
had a chance to relax and have dinner, Regional Director Brian Gorski
went over the rules of the photo all-release tournament while Rufus Wakeman,
River Palms’ proprietor, fishing guide and CCA chapter president,
provided a little insight into fishing the local waters.
The evening wrapped-up with a laid-back game of Texas hold ’em poker
in which the winner, Salvatore Anastasi, walked away with an enviable
assortment of prizes including two weekend getaways.
The tournament kicked off at first light on Friday morning. With temperatures
hovering in the mid-90s and a brief but intense thunderstorm, the fishing
held true to the tour-nament’s name – it was a challenge. The
incredible snook bite the area is known for was not as hot as usual, making
it even more difficult to score the coveted “grand slam” of
a snook, trout and redfish. Nonetheless, a number of teams managed to
do just that with Jacksonville chapter’s Gary Burdette scoring a
slam on his own.
But in the end, it was the Orlando chapter that scored the first place slam and earned the Grand Champion trophy along with bragging rights for the year. Second place went to the Naples chapter and the Jacksonville chapter came in third. Winners and photos.
The awards were passed out on Friday evening at the island-like tropical
setting by the water at the River Palms. The pleasant, warm evening under
the stars started with a barbecue prepared by the Texas Cattle Company.
They pulled out all the stops with a delicious roasted pig, barbecued
chicken, baked beans and buttered apples. Following the awards ceremony,
the raffle was held and several members gained a few new treasures.
Convention Meeting
| Saturday morning marked the beginning of the main event—the
state convention—held at the
nearby Hutchinson Island Marriott. First off were meetings of the
Government Relations Committee, which reviews current conservation
issues, and the President’s Council, which brings together chapter
presidents to share ideas. Council Chairman Dan Askin led a great
discussion on topics such as how to better communicate and share resources
among chapters and how to increase the banquet revenues. |
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David Howton, CCA Florida Chairman, opened the
meeting and welcomed the members. |
At 10 a.m. it was time for all to gather in the main meeting room to
enjoy an exceptional panel of speakers.
CCA Florida Chairman, David Howton, started with a warm welcome
and introduced CCA National President, David Cummins who provided
an interesting look back at the history of CCA from its small beginnings
in Texas to 90,000 members composing 100 local chapters in 15 state chapters.
He reviewed the current evolution of the organization and the growth of
staff positions as they move from dealing mainly with state issues to
a larger role in national fishery issues. He also noted that CCA National
now has a federal lobbyist, state development director, chief financial
officer, communications director, director of conservation, and fishery
consultants working with regional federal fishery councils on the Atlantic
and Gulf coasts.
Pat Murry, CCA National Vice President, spoke next about the things
that make CCA a unique and effective organization. Referring to the four
points of the “CCA Diamond” model (see Seawatch, June 2006),
he talked of members “we can touch,” such as the 7,800 comments
that were provided on just the red snapper issue, the broad diversification
and broad input of where fundraising monies go, the role of grassroots
strength in pursuing advocacy goals, and the importance of communication
to connect the membership through alert systems, state publications and
Tide Magazine.
Jeff Angers, CCA Louisiana CEO, spoke on the Cajun recipe for success
and compared working on fisheries issues to taking part in a long-standing
political campaign in which you need to get 50 percent plus one to be
successful in any issue. He then hit on a number of points that lead to
success including teamwork, keeping it fun and encouraging association
among members.
Dick Brame, Atlantic States Fisheries Director, talked about the
need to work within the existing management system. He also explained
how the various federal councils and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries
Commission are set up. He then reviewed various federal issues along the
Atlantic coast and their status, including management of snapper and grouper,
Atlantic croaker and menhaden.
CCA National’s General Counsel Bob Hayes addressed the meeting
with a review of the organization’s national advocacy program. He
had everyone stand who is currently on, or has sat on, a federal advisory
committee as an introduction to explaining how important it is for CCA
members to serve in that capacity. He then touched upon a number of federal
legislative issues in which CCA is involved including a national fishing
license bill, coastal occupancy, striped bass management and a national
aquaculture bill. Hayes also covered important aspects of the reauthorization
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. On the
international front, he touched upon issues before the International Committee
for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna including management of billfish,
sharks, bluefin tuna and swordfish. Lastly, he reviewed CCA’s success
with the menhaden issue in Chesapeake Bay, the LNG terminals in the Gulf,
and the red grouper lawsuit.
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Ted Forsgren, CCA Florida Executive Director,
spoke about how CCA Florida got started in 1984, and the debt owed
to CCA National for support during the early years. He mentioned the
success in achieving gamefish status for redfish, the net ban campaign
and CCA Florida’s involvement in seven major lawsuits. The upcoming
ban on fish traps in the Gulf was addressed, as was the successful
lawsuit over the red grouper closure in 2005. Ongoing advocacy issues
he covered included recent or impending stock assessments for snook,
redfish, red grouper, gag grouper and speckled seatrout and what the
results mean for future management options. |
Dr. Russ Nelson, CCA Fisheries Consultant, rounded out the meeting
with a review of pending Gulf of Mexico issues including management of
red snapper, red grouper and triggerfish. He discussed the confusion over
the mortality numbers in the recent gag grouper stock assessment, the
need to look at economic measures when managing Gulf fisheries, and the
future of those fisheries. The need to look at mortality of released grouper
with respect to the use of circle hooks was also mentioned, as was the
need to push for more research on hook size and its relation to the size
of fish caught.
Fishing
Challenge Games and Seminars
In the afternoon, following a delicious Mexican-style buffet, it was time
to give everyone a chance to demonstrate their fishing
skills in a casting contest and a unique “offshore tug of war,”
where strength played second fiddle to reeling speed and strategic use
of the rod and the drag.
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When the games were over and the winners decided, the
members and their guests escaped the south Florida summer heat to
the cool comfort of the convention center where they were treated
to a bounty of onshore and offshore
fishing tactics, tips and tricks presented by Captain Mark Nichols,
president of D.O.A. Lures, and Captain Eden White, longtime staff
member of Florida Sportsman Magazine. |
Aloha
Party
As the day wound down, there was still time for a dip in the pool or a
short ride to the beautiful beaches of Martin County. Once the sun began
to set, convention attendees donned their tropical attire and headed back
to the Marriott for an Aloha Party.
Once again the feast was provided by the Texas Cattle Company. This time,
however, they grilled up their signature mouth-watering prime New York
strip steaks. Suddenly, the sound of island drums filled the room and
seemingly from out of nowhere appeared a muscular Hawaiian dancer and
his two beautiful companions with their flowing black hair and traditional
grass skirts. The Aloha Productions Dance troupe both entertained and
interacted with the crowd by performing a series of traditional hula dances
set to island rhythms, songs and mele (chants). With expressive hands
and movements, the dancers evoked images ranging from a palm frond in
the breeze to the menace of an approaching enemy.
When the dancers had finished their exciting repertoire, it was sadly
time to say aloha to new and old friends, and to the first CCA Florida
convention. I can’t wait until next year!
Members
Visit the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center
On Sunday, at the invitation of Karl Wickstrom, publisher of Florida Sportsman
Magazine, conference attendees were treated to breakfast and a private
tour of the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center and Gamefish Lagoon on
Hutchinson Island. The facility is designed to promote the conservation
of gamefish species and fisheries habitat.
A redfish caught during the Inter-chapter Challenge was released
into the lagoon and kids were invited to take part in the daily feeding.
[Return to Table
of Contents]
Red
Snapper Conservation Stalled Again
(Seawatch, October 2006)
by
Ted Forsgren, CCA Florida Executive Director
The Coastal Conservation Association is disappointed in the continuing
reluctance of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to address
shrimp trawl bycatch as the primary cause for the decline of red snapper
in the Gulf of Mexico.
CCA’s frustration culminated at the most recent meeting of the Gulf
of Mexico Fishery Management Council when the Council elected to delay
any action plan for the recovery of red snapper until January 2007. NMFS’
refusal to support the inclusion of measures to reduce shrimp trawl bycatch
as a part of a proposed red snapper recovery plan left the Gulf Council
with no choice but to postpone any action.
It is virtually impossible for the Council to set red snapper limits for recreational anglers when they don’t know what the shrimp trawl bycatch reduction for juvenile red snapper is, said Fred Miller, chairman of CCA’s National Government Relations Committee. You have to deal with both sides of the equation at the same time.
Gulf Red snapper populations remain at a mere fraction of their natural
levels as a result of shrimp trawl bycatch, which kills more than 80 percent
of every year class. That bycatch is the target of a lawsuit filed by
CCA against NMFS last year seeking to force significant regulations to
recover red snapper stocks. For much of the troubled history of red snapper,
the shrimp industry has avoided significant regulation relative to its
impact on this important commercial and recreational fishery.
Since this fishery was first identified as severely overfished in 1988, recreational red snapper anglers have seen their seasons shortened and bag limits tightened while the shrimp industry has largely been allowed to dodge their responsibility for this mess, said Miller. Enough is enough.
Last year CCA petitioned the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to put emergency
measures into effect to end the excessive bycatch of red snapper by the
Gulf of Mexico shrimp fleet. That petition was denied despite almost 8,000
supporting comments from CCA members and other conservationists around
the Gulf Coast.
The current lawsuit filed by CCA seeks to achieve significant shrimp
trawl bycatch reduction on the order of 60-80 percent through measures
such as bycatch quotas, closed areas, seasonal closures and meaningful
reduction in shrimping effort.
NMFS’ own studies show that shrimp trawl bycatch is far and away the single largest source of mortality for juvenile red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico, and until that is properly addressed, this species will continue to be at risk,? said David Cummins, CCA president.
CCA Florida Red Snapper Positions.
[Return to Table
of Contents]
Commercial Interests Appeal Latest Gill Net Ruling
(Seawatch,
October 2006)
by
Ted Forsgren, CCA Florida Executive Director
A commercial fishing group is again trying to weaken the net ban
and return gill nets to state waters.
On February 3 of this year, Leon County Circuit Judge Janet E. Ferris ruled that the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s regulations implementing the ban on gill nets are a valid exercise of the Commission’s constitutionally delegated authority and that there is a ration-al basis for their provisions.
The lawsuit, which was filed by the Wakulla Commercial Fisherman’s
Association and Ronald Fred Crum in July 2005, had once again tried to
invalidate the measures which require seine nets to have a net mesh size
of 2 inches or less. Commercial netters have consistently sought to legalize
the use of nets with 3 inches or greater mesh size, which would obviously
be used as gill nets.
In fact, according to the judge’s Final Order, commercial netters argued if the three-inch net is a gill net, then the two-inch net also must be a gill net, and therefore the Commission’s rule allowing meshes of two inches or less is therefore unconstitutional.
In ruling against the netters, Judge Ferris found that this argument would only lead to the conclusion that all nets could be ruled illegal. Such an argument falls squarely within the admonition of being careful about what you ask for, since finding the rules unconstitutional would not lead to the conclusion that any net is therefore available to fishermen.
Nevertheless, netting interests have appealed Judge Ferris’ summary
judgment of the case to the First District Court of Appeal. CCA Florida
has intervened in support of the FWC’s ability to pass rules governing
mesh size of seine nets.
The original case was filed following a ruling in February 2005, by the
FWC, which approved a set of rules that created a net-measurement procedure,
clarified net construction criteria and solidified the definition of a
legal seine net as having a mesh size smaller than two inches.
Even though the same or similar issues have been litigated by the same commercial group several times before with similar results, CCA Florida will remain actively involved in the case, and in all attempts to weaken the positive results on the resource brought about by the elimination of gill nets in state waters.
CCA Florida Illegal Netting/Net
Ban Enforcement Positions.
[Return to Table
of Contents]
Permit Withdrawn for LNG Terminal off Alabama Coast
(Seawatch,
October 2006)
by
Rick Farren, CCA Florida Communications Director
The open-loop technology had the potential to kill billions of
fish eggs, larvae and plankton annually.
A victory for marine conservation in the Gulf of Mexico was achieved
with the recent withdrawal of a permit application by ConocoPhillips to
operate an open-loop liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal off the Alabama
coast, 11 miles south of Dauphin Island. Alabama Governor Bob Riley, with
the support of that state’s marine conservationists, remained committed
throughout the process in his opposition to the facility.
ConocoPhillips was the latest of a string of energy companies seeking
permits for offshore facilities in the Gulf to receive and process LNG
using an open-loop system to reheat the gas. The open-loop system heats
liquefied gas back into a gaseous state by circulating seawater through
a radiator-like system. The system can filter more than 100 million gallons
of seawater per day which is chlorinated to prevent fouling of the intake
pipe, thus creating the potential to kill billions of fish eggs, larvae
and plankton annually.
Earlier, governors in Louisiana and Mississippi vetoed an open-loop terminal
proposed by McMoRan Exploration off the Louisiana coast. That company
has since said it intends to pursue the project using closed-loop technology
which is significantly less harmful to the marine environment.
CCA is not opposed to ConocoPhillips developing this facility as long as it does not use this risky technology, said Pat Murray, CCA Director of Conservation. The message delivered by the Gulf Coast governors is simple: There is a better way, one that does not jeopardize the resources that so many people value so greatly.
CCA has worked extensively to prevent use of the technology in the Gulf
of Mexico and during the past year has testified at public hearings, engaged
its membership to send thousands of e-mails, and worked with state officials
and federal agencies to remove open-loop technology as an option.
[Return to Table
of Contents]
Striped
Bass Remains Closed in Federal Waters
(Seawatch,
October 2006)
Following an overwhelming outpouring from concerned conservationists,
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that
it would maintain the 1990 federal closure of offshore marine waters to
striped bass fishing. Coastal Conservation Association has fought to keep
the closure intact and applauds NOAA’s decision to give the stock
its best chance to expand its historic age and geographic distribution.
CCA has always maintained that the striped bass population should be managed for what it is—the most valuable marine recreational fishery in the country, said Dick Brame, CCA’s Atlantic States Fisheries Director. NOAA decided on a conservative management plan for this species, one that will reap benefits for future generations.
NOAA closed marine areas between three and 200 miles offshore, known as the Exclusive Economic Zone or EEZ, to recreational and commercial striped bass fisheries in support of a rebuilding plan adopted in 1981 by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). The stock rebounded and became one of the most successful examples of marine conservation, but striped bass are still heavily exploited and fishing mortality rates are still approaching the upper limits. Anglers were rightfully concerned that opening the offshore waters could increase the harvest significantly and could halt the recovery in its tracks or even reverse it. Keeping the EEZ closed provides a safe area for stripers, especially larger fish which are the core of the spawning stock.
NOAA should be congratulated for a conservative management plan for this valuable public resource. All participants in this fishery have made substantial sacrifices since 1981 to ensure the future of this species, and this action today ensures that those sacrifices won’t be thrown away, said Sherman Baynard, chairman of CCA Maryland’s Fisheries Committee.
[Return to Table
of Contents]
eBay for CCA
(Seawatch, October 2006)
by
Mike Dambro, CCA Florida Regional Director
Do you eBay? If so, you can now help CCA Florida with every item you
sell! An eBay program called Giving Works, administered through MissionFish,
allows sellers on eBay to donate a portion of their sale to a non-profit
organization of their choice. CCA Florida is now one of those choices
and we encourage you to participate. It’s an easy way to support
CCA while making a few bucks on eBay.
All that’s required is that you click on the "Donate Percentage of Sale" box when listing an item for sale. The box appears on the "Pricing and Duration" page just below the price you enter for the item. You can then select the percentage of the sale you would like to go to CCA – anywhere from 10 to 100 percent. If your donation is 90 percent or more, eBay will also donate the insertion and final value fees to CCA! There is a $5 minimum donation. The first time you make a donation, you’ll have to fill out a short, one-screen registration with MissionFish. The next time you can just click and go.
Every time you sell an item, eBay will provide a receipt for your tax-deductible
donation. You will also get a special icon next to your listing that shows
you are helping a non-profit organization. This may result in more visibility
for your item and possibly even a higher sale price—especially if
you sell to another CCA member.
The next time you eBay, think of CCA.
Chen and Whitlock Named First CCA Florida Featured Artists
(Seawatch, October 2006)
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CCA Florida has launched a new recognition section,
featured artists, and would like to recognize Carey Chen and Steve
Whitlock for their generous support of marine conservation initiatives
in Florida. Their donation of fine art has provided important fundraising
opportunities for the organization. For more information about these
two talented artists go to featured_artists.html. |
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