The Vero Beach Country Club was awash with anglers last Thursday at the Treasure Coast Coastal Conservation Association’s Annual Banquet and Auction. The recreational anglers and boaters, commercial fishermen and fishing guides in attendance all support CCA in one common interest – keeping waterways clean and full of marine life through conservation.
During the cocktail reception, CCA members and their families wandered through three rooms filled with raffle, silent- and live-auction items, each with a thematic connection to boating and fishing. Everything from Pathfinder boats to a $19,000 Yamaha 300hp boat motor were on display, with excited fishermen circling the tables.
“Everything we do is based on the lagoon; it’s our waterway,” said Jason Wilson, this year’s banquet chair. “This is for the Oyster Mat Projects and especially for conservation of the Treasure Coast Indian River. It’s an organization of fishermen fighting for fishermen.”
In addition to conservation, the organization supports greater fishing rules leniency, which Wilson calls a “hot button issue” for the anglers. For instance, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission currently limits Red Snapper catches to six days each year. The CCA does not believe there is an extreme danger to that population and are working with the FWC to come up with a less stringent ban.
“The CCA supports the FWC quite a bit and constantly assisting us. We are working with them as well on education and outreach,” said FWC Lt. Anthony Zamonis at the event.
Another area of concern is the pollution caused by water releases from Lake Okeechobee into the Indian River.
“Right now we are lobbying against water being pumped in from the center of the state to our waters creating pollution. Without the lagoon we will have nothing here,” said Wilson.
Lange Sykes, president of the Treasure Coast chapter, spoke at the dinner to bring members up to date on various issues. Sykes has been speaking on behalf of the CCA and their grassroots mission to preserve marine resources, claiming the recreational sector is a bigger economic driver than the commercial sector.
“We do a very good job of having a seat at the table to discuss the economic impact of our constituency,” said Sykes. “We are doing a lot of great work to promote and protect recreational fish management on a state level here. And of course, CCA is working as a national organization as well.”
The evening was also a fun way for members to connect and be reminded of why they joined CCA in the first place. The plethora of fishing gear and boats out front had the anglers itching to get back on the water and drop a line to catch the next big fish.
“I love fishing,” said young Will Tripson, who came with a slew of family members. “My grandpa brought me a fishing rod when I was just 2 days old and said ‘this boy’s going to be a fisherman.’ And I am.”
Tripson was grinning ear-to-ear after winning two fishing poles in the night’s raffle and it was a sure bet he would be on the river that weekend.
Money raised also helps fund legal expenses, court fees and operational expenses. Although the organization is predominantly run by volunteers, there are six paid staff members to keep the behind-the-scenes work on track.
