The CCA Texas State Board of Directors and the CCA Texas Management Committee have approved $4,458,928 in funding for conservation initiatives along the Texas coast. These investments will support oyster license buyback, fish tagging research, habitat restoration, and coastal education programs, furthering CCA Texas’s mission to protect and enhance the state’s marine resources.
“We are thrilled to share this announcement and deeply appreciate the ongoing support of our members, volunteers, sponsors, and industry partners,” said John Carlson, chairman of CCA Texas. “This level of funding would not be possible without the grassroots fundraising efforts of our community chapters, and we hope our members take pride in knowing their contributions are making a lasting impact on our coast.”
Key Conservation Investments
Oyster License Buyback – $1 Million
As part of an effort to right-size the overcapitalized public reef oyster fishery, $1 million has been allocated to Texas Parks and Wildlife to facilitate a new oyster license buyback program, set to launch in spring 2025. This initiative aims to restore balance to the oyster fishery while promoting long-term sustainability.
Tarpon Tagging Research – $588,000
CCA Texas has committed $588,000 to expand tarpon research led by the Gulf Research Institute for Highly Migratory Species (GRIHMS) at Texas A&M University – Galveston. Over the next five years, this research will provide critical insights into tarpon migration patterns, stock structure, and environmental factors shaping their habitat, ensuring informed conservation strategies for this iconic species.
Sportfish and Shark Tagging – $101,152
To advance citizen-led fish tagging, CCA Texas has allocated $101,152 to support its ongoing partnership with the Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Harte Research Institute. These funds will be used for:
- Sportfish tagging
- Satellite tagging
- Shore-based shark tagging at the Sharkathon catch-photo-release tournament
Additionally, $50,000 has been dedicated to quantifying illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, further strengthening enforcement and conservation efforts.
Educational and Community Programs
Other approved funding allocations include:
- $125,000 for an oyster education program at the Texas Surf Conservancy
- $24,776 for three educational seagrass billboards along major coastal highways
- $20,000 to sponsor four sporting clay fundraising events in partnership with Operation Game Thief, Texas’s Wildlife Crime-Stoppers Program
Major Habitat Restoration Projects – $2.55 Million
To build on a strong start to the year, the CCA Texas Management Committee has approved:
- $2 million for two oyster reef restoration projects in Carancahua Bay and Ayers Bay, which includes $159,978 in donations from H-E-B, the Puenta De Maravillas Foundation, and Bay Flats Lodge.
- $550,000 for shoreline restoration projects in Nueces Bay, East Galveston Bay, and West Galveston Bay.
A Commitment to Coastal Conservation
“A big round of applause to all CCA Texas members for their unwavering dedication to conserving and enhancing Texas fisheries and coastal habitats,” said Mike Prasek, Jr., president of CCA Texas. “The funds raised at our chapter banquets are making a direct impact on our coastal resources. We sincerely thank our members for their hard work in making these projects a reality, and we look forward to another successful year of fundraising to keep this momentum going.”
With these substantial investments, CCA Texas continues to lead the charge in protecting the state’s coastal resources, ensuring that future generations can enjoy thriving fisheries and healthy marine ecosystems.