Wednesday, May 6th, 2009
CCA Texas Funds Offshore Reef Project
Conservation group to contribute funds for a major addition to the George Vancouver reefing area off the coast of Freeport, Texas.
Houston, TX – The Coastal Conservation Association Texas (CCA Texas) Executive Board recently approved $25,000 to fund 150 tons of concrete and rock debris to be added to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Vancouver reefing area in the near-shore waters off of Freeport. The project will provide crucial habitat for many recreationally important species including red snapper, kingfish and ling. The undertaking will be a joint effort between CCA Texas’ Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow program (HTFT), TPWD and local and private businesses, which will provide services and expertise for transporting, storing and placing of the reef material.
“This is an important project for CCA Texas’ HTFT program in many regards,” said CCA Texas Executive Director Robby Byers. “We have great expectations for the program and this particular project demonstrates the true potential of HTFT. The materials, donated by Texas A&M Galveston, will be placed in an area that already has established reefing areas within Texas state waters and will provide excellent habitat for a number of species that we are keenly interested in, including red snapper.”
As well as being a magnet for numerous Gulf species, the reef will also provide a prime fishing area for local anglers that is easily accessible. The addition of this vital offshore habitat will be a bonus for both the health of the Gulf of Mexico and the anglers who utilize it.
“This project is a win-win,” said CCA Texas HTFT Director, John Blaha. “The resource is going to benefit from the vast amount of new habitat created by the reef materials, and recreational anglers have another great spot to fish. This reef is just the first of several the CCA Texas HTFT Program plans to build up and down the Texas coast. It is an exciting time for HTFT, and the members and volunteers of CCA Texas should feel great pride in this important conservation project. Together, we can all make a difference today for the future of Texas’ coastal resources and the anglers who have worked so hard to conserve them.”
The project is expected to be completed by the latter part of summer in 2009.
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CCA Texas is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the conservation of Texas’ coastal marine resources. For more information, please go to www.ccatexas.org.
