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| 2006
INAUGURAL STATE CONVENTION |
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Florida held its Inaugural State Convention in July at the Hutchinson Island
Marriott near Stuart. Members came from chapters around the state to take
part in the annual Inter_Chapter
Challenge Fishing Tournament, attend conservation
meetings and seminars from expert anglers, and
take part in fishing skill competitions. |
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| Photos by Rick Farren |
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The
Saturday morning conservation meeting included a host of speakers on subjects
ranging from the history of CCA, current changes and the future direction of
the organization.
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David Cummins,
CCA National President, addressed the members and provided a brief history
of the Coastal Conservation Association 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. CCA National now has a federal lobbyist, state development
director, chief financial officer, communications director, and director of
conservation and fishery consultants working with regional federal fishery
councils for the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
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| Pat Murry, CCA National Vice President, spoke about the things that make CCA a unique and effective organization. Referring to the four points of the "CCA Diamond" model, he talked of members "who we can touch" referring to: 1.) 7,800 comments that were provided on just the red snapper issue; 2.) of the broad diversification and broad input of where fundraising monies go; 3.) of the role of grassroots strength in pursuing advocacy goals; and 4.) the importance of communication to connect the membership through alert systems -- Tide Magazine and state publications. These four points create a unique approach to conservation and when balanced can impact issues on every level. |
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Jeff Angers,
the Executive Director of Louisiana CCA, spoke on the Cajun recipe for success.
He 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.
He then hit a number of points that lead to success including, teamwork, keeping
it fun, holding a statewide tournament and encouraging association among members.
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| 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. |
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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 the 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. Finally, 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 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,
CCA Florida involvement in seven major lawsuits against the net ban, including
one ongoing lawsuit. The upcoming ban on fish traps in the Gulf was mentioned,
as was the successful lawsuit over the red grouper closure in 2005. Current
advocacy issues he discussed included snook and redfish stock assessments
and management options, the impending speckled seatrout stock assessment,
and upcoming stock assessments of red and gag grouper in the Gulf. |
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Dr. Russ
Nelson, CCA Fisheries Consultant for Federal Waters Gulf of Mexico Issues,
rounded out the meeting with a review of pending Gulf 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.
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Mark Nichols, owner of DOA Lures and Eden White, of Florida Sportsman Magazine led afternoon seminars on inshore and offshore fishing. Both fishing experts also took the opportunity to deliver a conservation message along with tips and tactics for catching more fish.
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Convention attendees took part in fishing skill challenge games including a casting skills competition and an offshore tug-of-war.
In the casting competition First Place went to Pete McLeod, Second Place to Howard Wells, Third Place to Capt. Eden White.
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The
offshore battle was won by Kent Malinowski, Second place went to Don Ulmer and
Third Place to Jeff Allen.
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The evening concluded with an Aloha party catered by the Texas Cattle Company and live entertainment by the Aloha Productions Dance Troupe.
More photos.
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The Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center and the gamefish lagoon is a facility designed to promote the conservation of gamefish species and fisheries habitat.
A redfish caught in the CCA Inter_Chapter Challenge was released . . .
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Annual Convention a Great Success and a Model for the Future
by David Howton
CCA's first convention was a great success and gives us a model to move forward with an educational and fun event in future years. I walked away from the weekend knowing that CCA Florida is stronger than ever and that our membership can make a huge difference in preserving and protecting our marine fisheries.
There was a great deal of discussions after Saturday's educational meetings among those who attended the convention about how much they learned from our presenting speakers. I think all of us came away from the first convention with more knowledge about our organization and the goals that we not only have in the State of Florida but also the goals of CCA on a national basis. It was fun to hear members who have been around for many years come away from an event like this with a big "Wow, I didn't realize all of the things CCA was involved with."
I think the convention set a standard for future conventions, not only in the State of Florida, but also for all of the CCA state chapters around the country. It was a chance to bring the "Best of the Best" together, not only for educational purposes, but also for a good time and a chance to meet other volunteers from around the state. We all do things a little differently on a chapter-to-chapter basis, and by sharing our ideas, we can turn an average banquet or fundraiser into something exceptional. The speakers of the day were excellent and not only taught us more about CCA but gave us a lot of ideas on growing our membership and our influence as we move into the future.
I have asked Jeff Allen from the Palm Beach County CCA chapter to take on the role of "Convention Chairman" for 2007. He will be seeking the assistance of other chapter leaders from around the state to make next year's convention even bigger and better. If you would like to play a role in the growth of CCA, then I ask you to contact Jeff to assist with what will become an annual event and a show case to our members in future years. I have a feeling that this could grow into something that is not only educational, but something that all of our members and volunteers, and their families, look forward to on an annual basis.
I would also like to thank the staff of the Orlando office and in particular, our new CEO Rob Hendricks for the hard work in pulling this year's event together on very short notice. Rob did a great job with the venue and provided us all with an awesome evening of fun on Saturday.
I would also like to thank the speakers who attended for their time and dedication in educating our members about a "better way" to get things done.
We look forward to seeing all of you at the 2007 Convention next July.
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