At the stroke of midnight, Friday, August 14, the 75-day recreational red snapper season in the Gulf of Mexico came to an abrupt halt. Many bemoan this fact imposed by regulation of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council) and question whether the limited season and two-fish bag limit are warranted based on the experience of fishermen before and during this season. Bemoan if you must, but anglers should instead ask “Who represents recreational anglers in this and other fisheries issues before the councils and commissions that regulate our fisheries?” The answer we offer is: Coastal Conservation Association (CCA). Find another organization that represents recreational anglers and join it. If you cannot find such an organization, join CCA – but please get involved before our fisheries are only a memory rather than current and future enjoyment.

CCA works through its Government Relations Committees (GRC) at national, regional and state levels to address fisheries issues. If you attended Gulf Council meetings, you would meet Dr. Russell Nelson, CCA Fisheries Consultant, speaking on issues that impact recreational anglers. He has authored papers presented to the Gulf Council that propose innovative approaches to fisheries management that recognize the economic impact and growth of recreational angling. In extreme cases, CCA has resorted to legal action to challenge regulation or the lack of it when resources are threatened. CCA members accept the need for reasonable conservation measures and have abided by restrictions for the future sustainability of the resource. We have realized, after our best effort, that other users of marine resources have not matched our sacrifice. CCA must therefore base our action on the resource first, be science-based, but also the advocate for angling and anglers.

For CCA Mississippi, the GRC monitors the Commission on Marine Resources and has challenged actions as far as Circuit Court. CCA has voiced concerns about the menhaden reduction industry operating in the Mississippi Sound. We have actively supported SPEC that enhances our speckled trout population, and reefs both inshore and offshore. While we are a conservation group primarily interested in sustaining and protecting marine species and environment, we also recognize that tourism and our fisheries resources that bring visitors to the coast must be considered in all aspects of regulation. An NOAA report estimated that recreational marine activities in Mississippi in 2006 produced $490 million in Sales/Output and 3,371 jobs. Those are numbers that cannot be downplayed.

Members of CCA in Mississippi are but a small fraction of licensed recreational saltwater anglers. To increase the voice of recreational anglers in Mississippi, strength lies in numbers and in the volunteer base that gives voice to our concerns. The question posed above remains: who represents your interests? Try Coastal Conservation Association and join the organization in Mississippi (and the Gulf and nation) that works for the future of our marine resources. This website offers you the opportunity to join CCA NOW. The $25 membership fee is the same as it was when GCCA came into existence in Texas in 1977 and CCA Mississippi was formed in 1986. The influence of CCA is based on grassroots volunteers. We may not totally agree on fisheries issues but we must be heard.