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Cedar Bayou Redfish Study Needs Your Help

Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation

NEEDS YOU!

2014 HRI Redfish Tag Flyer 1 Updated

The Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation has surgically implanted several redfish with tracking technology as part of the Cedar Bayou study. Each of these fish is marked with a green external dart tag. Please release these fish if caught and call the phone number on the tag to let researchers know where you caught the fish and to add valuable movement information to their study! If you decide to keep a tagged fish or if the fish dies in the process of being caught, please keep the black cylindrical acoustic tag implanted in the fish and call (361) 825-2028. This research is heavily dependent on the cooperation of local anglers, and your support is greatly appreciated!

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The Restoration of Cedar Bayou Completed

Iconic Pass Now Open After Years of Planning and Fundraising Efforts

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Aransas County, Texas –Cedar Bayou and Vinson Slough were opened on September 25, 2014, after having been sealed in the 1970s and enduring decades of negative impacts from siltation and low water flows. Local media were invited to view the ribbon-cutting ceremony and opening last Thursday.

Cedar Bayou is a natural pass that separates San Jose Island from Matagorda Island. Dredging efforts date back to the 1930s, but partial efforts, siltation, and misplacement of spoil materials eventually led to the pass and adjacent Vinson Slough being sealed. The restoration of Cedar Bayou and Vinson Slough has created the vital connection from Mesquite and Aransas Bays to the Gulf of Mexico.

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CCA Texas Presents Monumental Check for Cedar Bayou’s Restoration

$1.6 Million Dollars Given Toward Multimillion Dollar Project

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Rockport, Texas – On May 21, 2014, Coastal Conservation Association Texas (CCA Texas) presented Aransas County with a check for $1.6M to help fund the restoration of Cedar Bayou in Rockport, Texas. After being sealed in the 1970s and decades of negative impacts from siltation and low water flows, a $9.4M construction project is underway to open Cedar Bayou and Vinson Slough.

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Tagged for the Taking: CCA Texas STAR Tournament

Sixty STAR quality redfish have been released!

Texas Gulf Coast — Sixty specially tagged redfish are the STAR attraction in the 25th Anniversary CCA Texas State of Texas Anglers’ Rodeo (STAR) sponsored by the Texas Ford Dealers, Tilson Home Corporation and Capital Farm Credit.  The tournament kicks-off this Saturday!  CCA Texas STAR officials have released 60 redfish ranging from 20 ½ to 25 ½ inches in length.  These tagged redfish have been released throughout 600 miles of Texas coastal waters, from Sabine Lake to South Padre Island.

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Partners Dig Deep to Open Cedar Bayou

 Multi-million dollar project poised to begin

Aransas County, Texas – After being sealed in the 1970s and decades of negative impacts from siltation and low water flows, an estimated $9.4M effort will be required to open Cedar Bayou and Vinson Slough. This historic effort, which is slated to start on April 15, will create the vital connection from Mesquite and Aransas Bays to the Gulf of Mexico. With Aransas County kicking off the campaign in 2009, Coastal Conservation Association Texas initiated a new effort in 2012 with a $500,000 matching grant to help open these iconic and environmentally significant passes.

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Kenny Chesney Accepts Honorary Board Seat with Ocean Habitat Conservation Organization

The Building Conservation Trust, the national marine habitat program of the Coastal Conservation Association, is proud to announce country superstar Kenny Chesney will serve as an honorary board member. Founded in 2010 to enable people who love and enjoy the oceans, the Trust supports projects that revitalize critical habitat and establish a vibrant foundation for the marine ecosystem.

“Very few people have captured the essence of what draws us to the oceans as well as Kenny Chesney has over his incredible career,” said Patrick Murray, president of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA). “The most passionate stewards of our marine environment are the ones drawn to the water for sport, relaxation and reflection. Through his music and life, Kenny has inspired an entire generation to engage in ocean conservation and stewardship, and we are very proud to have him on the board of the Trust.”

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2014 Texas Crab Trap Removal Program

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Crab Trap Removal Program runs from Feb 21-March 2. During this 10-day period, all Texas bays will be closed to crabbing with wire mesh crab traps.  Any traps left in the bay will be assumed abandoned and considered “litter” under state law. This allows volunteers to legally remove any crab traps they find. Continue Reading

CCA Texas Participates in Smooth Cordgrass Seed Harvesting for Dickinson Bayou Wetlands Restoration Project

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Dickinson Bayou Wetlands Restoration Project will utilize a previously proven technology and conservation approach to maximize the restoration of up to 10 acres of intertidal marsh complex habitat and enhancement and protection for up to 17.7 acres of existing intertidal emergent marsh. This technology and conservation approach has been extensively used for restoring wetlands and enhancing fish and wildlife habitats during the widening and deepening of the Houston Ship Channel.

This project includes constructing approximately 2,405 linear feet of earthen containment berms and 1,818 linear feet of rock armored earthen berms to protect the 27.7 acre restoration site. Approximately 28,521 cubic yards of clay material will be used to construct three containment areas, and approximately 6,545 tons of limestone rock will be placed on the outer slopes of these earthen containment berms. Intertidal marsh complex will be created inside these containment units by mechanically or hydraulically dredging approximately 81,735 cubic yards of material from the shallow water areas within the main channel, designated as the project’s borrow site. These sediments will be placed at specific elevations to create intertidal and high level marsh habitat.

“Without this project,” said Jan Culbertson, Coastal Ecologist for TPWD Coastal Fisheries, “the existing marsh would be lost through conversion to open water habitat in the next 25 years.” Continue Reading

Shell Continues Major Commitment to Gulf Marine Habitat

Historic partnership with CCA habitat program to continue another three years

     HOUSTON, TX (11-6-13) – Coastal Conservation Association and Shell Oil Company have announced an extension of their unique partnership that has already produced more than a dozen significant marine habitat restoration projects along the Gulf Coast over the past two years. Shell’s decision to fund $500,000 over each of the next three years will enable CCA’s Building Conservation Trust to continue providing vital funding for grassroots-driven marine habitat projects.
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