Rufus...CCA CAL
 

Rufus...climb out from under that rock and join the CCA CAL. :toetap05:

The Coastal Conservation Association of California (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.
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 can contact me.” says Wayne Kotow, Executive Director for CCA CAL. “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.
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.
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. 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. In addition, The UASC White Seabass Committee has been changed to the CCA-CAL White Seabass Committee.
CCA-CAL will be working with CDFW to get the next species authorized for release. This in itself is neither a simple nor quick process.
CCA-CAL is working on all of the main goals simultaneously while also working on the grassroots efforts of local chapters and memberships.
To Join, please visit our website www.ccacalifornia.org
Please like us on Facebook, Coastal Conservation Association of California
If you would like to help, please contact Wayne at wkotow@ccacalifornia.org .

Just axing a rhetorical and leading question for those who may not know who CCA Cal is.

The list is always expanding with newbees. We gotta include them in our discussions if we're going to expand our influence.

Just sayin.