Coastal Conservation Association

CCA was created in 1977, after drastic commercial overfishing along the Texas coast had decimated redfish and speckled trout populations. A group of 14 concerned recreational anglers gathered in a local tackle shop to create the Gulf Coast Conservation Association to turn the tide for conservation. Only four years later, gill nets along the Texas coast were outlawed and both red drum and speckled trout were declared game fish. This previously unimaginable victory launched a new era in marine resource conservation. The successful conservation movement that started with the Save the Redfish campaign got the attention of anglers across the Gulf and by 1985, chapters had formed all along the Gulf Coast. By the early 90s, the South- and Mid-Atlantic regions had CCA chapters, in 2007, Washington and Oregon chapters were formed and in 2015, the CCA California chapter was created. The fish are different, but the challenges facing them are often the same on all coasts destructive commercia...