Mark Stewart Shares his Love of Fishing with CCA
The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) is an organization of several state chapters, each composed of avid recreational fishermen and women who have banded together to address conservation issues nationally as well as within their respective states. The outdoor sports enthusiasts and conservationists who make up the organization recognize that only a concerted, ongoing effort of major proportions will save the natural resources of our coastal waters from depletion or destruction. They are dedicated to preventing that from happening through programs of education, legislation and restoration.
Nationally, CCA has led or shared in the efforts to stop the disastrous netting of redfish in the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the overfishing of kingfish. Another CCA success was the key role played in obtaining a Federal Management Plan for Atlantic billfish. CCA has played an important part in the ongoing recovery of striped bass and the elimination of destructive fishing gear. The organization continues to focus on the Magnuson Act, to ensure that conservation concerns are appropriately addressed. The involvement of CCA in the Fishery Management Councils and the Atlantic States Marine Fishery Commission also remains a high priority.
Locally, the South Carolina chapter of the CCA has played an important role in building or rebuilding coastal habitats including offshore artificial reefs built from old ships and bridge debris as well as the addition of hundreds of new oyster beds in its partnership with the SC DNR. The CCA has also helped to advocate for the protection of our coastline from offshore drilling while in parallel advocating for preservation and access by the public to natural resources on land and our waterways. Local projects like these are what initially attracted my interest to the mission of the CCA and continue to be what helps motivate my involvement today - working to preserve the beauty and abundance of the South Carolina coast for future generations is very important to me. I am happy to share more about our activities with anyone who would be interested in learning more or joining in supporting our cause and I thank BoomTown for its support as well.
BTL caught up with Mark, CTO at BoomTown to learn more about his love of fishing & personal reasons for supporting this organization:
BTL: What as a member do you do to participate with CCA?
Mark: I mostly participate in volunteer opportunities like marsh cleanups and oyster reef builds, but also work with my local East Cooper chapter to fundraise around the area to both help put on events, but also pay for reef builds and lobbying activities. Otherwise I spend time reaching out to elected officials to help educate them on the CCA's goals and advocate in a similar way to the state and national leadership.
BTL: When & how did you begin your love of the sport of fishing?
Mark: Growing up in the midwest I did some lake fishing with my dad, but didn't fish in saltwater until about 15 years ago. Some friends and I all went to the Dominican Republic for vacation and while there we decided to go on an offshore fishing trip, which none of us had really done before. I was hooked immediately and started looking for opportunities to fish any time we traveled until we moved here to Charleston and I could fish all the time.
