CCA’s history showed up in suits and ties and sharp business attire. Of course, the fact that that the event was taking place in the Louisiana State Capital had something to do with the dress code, as did the fact that Louisi- ana Governor Bobby Jindal was set to be the emcee.
The setting and dress code were appropriate given that
this was no
ordinary habitat project. There would be plenty of time for dirty clothes, sun- burns and muscle aches later, because today was set aside to officially kick-off a new public-private partnership — between the recreational angling com- munity, private businesses and the state — to assist in CCA’s ongoing Building Conservation Habitat Pro- gram. On that cold day in Baton Rouge, Gov. Bobby Jindal joined representa- tives from CCAand Shell Oil Company to announce Shell’s $1.5 million dollar contribution to CCA’s Building Con- servation Habitat Program. “Louisiana’s coastal environment has faced many challenges, some man- made and some natural. This makes it increasingly important for us to find innovative ways to restore and en- hance the coastal areas that support state’s economy. Our marsh is the heart
and soul of Louisiana,” said Gov. Jindal. “We have a sporting heritage second to none and a long, proud con- nection to our land, water and resources. Louisiana sportsmen know better than anyone the need to give something back to the environment so that we can continue to enjoy it while preserving this heritage for our children and grandchildren. That’s what makes this announcement today so inspiring — CCA’s Building Conservation Habitat Program is a long-term commitment from the angling community to the incredible natural resources of Louisi- ana. Partnerships like the one announc- ed today are a critical component for helping our citizens get back on their feet after the oil spill and preserving the beauty of coastal Louisiana for gen- erations to come.”
INDEPENDENCE ISLAND
One of the key ingredients to any significant habitat restoration or cre- ation project is adequate funding. CCA members have always been ready and willing to put down their fishing gear, and donate their own time and money to do the dirty work. With the extraor- dinarily generous donation from Shell, the scale and scope of CCA’s habitat
program expands dramatically. The first project to benefit directly from the new partnership will be Independence Island — formerly an emergent island in Barataria Bay near Grand Isle. Independence Island was formerly one of Louisiana’s popular fishing des- tinations, but due to coastal erosion and subsidence, the Island sank to the point that it is no longer a viable fish- eries habitat. Gov. Jindal explained that the state’s new partnership with CCA and Shell will help resurrect the trea- sured marine life habitat associated with Independence Island. The project calls for installing two
reefs covering four acres at Indepen- dence Island this spring, each reef con- sisting of 3,500 tons of limestone to pro- vide hard-structure habitat for marine fisheries. Almost immediately after installation, these reefs will start attracting marine organisms and for- age fish, which will draw recreational species and provide new opportunities for anglers in Grand Isle. In an exciting addition to the project, CCA will also fund a monitoring program run by Louisiana State University marine sci- entists to gauge the impact of the new reef and its effect on the surrounding ecosystem.
TIDE
www.joincca.org
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