Protecting California's Coast While Ensuring Access for All. A chat with CCA California.
The origins of CCA (Coastal Conservation Association) began 1977 in Texas when commercial overfishing almost decimated the fish population. A group of recreational anglers came together to fight the use of gill nets and add certain species to the game fish list to help protect the fish population. These efforts spawned new chapters across the country fighting for their fisheries along with education and pushing policy change that protect the fish and the coastal habitat while allowing the public access to recreational fishing opportunities.
The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) of California was created in 2015 by a group of California anglers looking to protect the fish and the fisheries were they lived. We spoke with Chris Arechaederra, Assistant Director of CCA California to learn more about their mission and the current challenges facing our coastal waters.
Tell us how CCA California makes a difference in protecting costal resources and fisheries?
In 10 short years, CCA California has made a huge difference in recreational fishing. We have a great list of accomplishments in Sacramento for recreational anglers in California, but all done with a conservation mindset. Sure, we have big wins like a true 365-day fishing license that was passed in congress in 2022, but also every year, we are meeting with many others who make budgetary decisions in California to include more and more financial resources for programs like the OREHP (Ocean Resource Enhancement & Hatchery Program), which funds our hatchery program in San Diego with the Hubbs-Seaworld Research Institute to be able to produce more and more white sea bass every year. We are also helping lead the charge in a new pilot program which is promoting taking fin clips from fish that are caught recreationally. With fin clips, we are using genetics to determine the success and to keep track of the progress of the entire program.
Along with that, we are continuing to point out the real issues that exist along our coastline that nobody wants to address, like the sewage that spills out of Tijuana each and every day, ocean acidification, lack of kelp, etc. And finally, we are always pushing for more thriving habitat along our coastline, working with our partners at CDFW (California Department of Fish & Wildlife) and others, to push for more reefs, oyster reefs, etc. to provide habitat for fish along our coast.
How would you rate the health of California’s Coastal Resources and what advice would you give to anglers to help in maintaining a healthy resource?
I would say that our coastal resources remain pretty healthy at the moment, because of adjustments we've made along the way, we being Californians in general. If you talk to many of the boat captains and anglers who have been around for a while, they consistently say that we are currently in "the good ol' days" of fishing and coastal resources. Fish is plentiful, and more importantly, more people are fishing now than they were back before 2020, which is a trend we love to see.
I think most anglers are mostly on the same page in terms of conservation. Gone are the days when people go out, load up, and come back. The number of fish being brought back to the dock and harvested is not nearly as important nowadays than they were even 20 years ago. With the regulations that are currently in place, I feel like we have a pretty happy medium right now. However, in California, once we lose something in terms of legal take, size of a legal fish, etc. we never seem to get that back.
What have been the biggest challenges recently for CCA California with regard to its mission?
Along with our struggle with the 30x30 movement (more info on that is below), we are constantly looking for projects regarding habitat restoration and building along our coastline. Our state chapters within our national organization are very productive in creating thriving habitat off of their coasts, creating habitat for fish and other sea creatures alike. Currently, the State of California has paused their reefing programs for the time being as they try and figure out how to survey the current reefs that exist.
Another organizational struggle is fundraising. We have many fundraisers all throughout Southern and Central California, with each and every dollar going towards each one of our goals. Many other organizations are well-funded by big corporations and other groups pushing agendas that are detrimental to our efforts.
What are some solutions that could help overcome the challenges CCA California is facing?
In general, I think most of us all want the same thing and are after the same goal of protecting and conserving our resources. It's counter-intuitive to believe that anglers want to catch everything on the water so we don't have anything left to catch the next day, or even for our kids and grandkids to be able to catch fish in their lives. We all want the ability to do that. Keeping that in mind, those of us at CCA California, the Sportfishing Association of California (SAC), the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and others are putting forth much effort to be able to reach across the aisle, come together and create and come up with solutions that work for all of us, that provides the opportunity for us to go fish, but conserves and protects our resources so that we all have a future in what we do. Over many years, recreational anglers need to be rewarded and credited for our conservation measures throughout the previous generations when we've embraced and followed all of the regulations handed down by the agencies.
A specific example would be the rebuild of the Cowcod. 30 years ago, the fishery was shut down because it was being overfished, so much that the stock was at a critical level and in real danger of becoming extinct. So, we policed ourselves and stayed away from them. Just a few years ago, the stock was deemed as rebuilt a whopping 70 years ahead of schedule.
CCA California focuses on a few projects but which one are you currently focused on (or which issue needs the most attention)?
Right now, we are still trying to manage a headwind from those who would like to see all of us anglers kept off the water, which is a big mission of ours, to keep anglers' ability to fish. Our main focus at the moment is a push called 30x30, which is to conserve , water and oceans by 2030. This is technically a conservation minded bill and effort being pushed by environmental groups, but we fear that this effort could be a vehicle to shut down our entire industry in California. The good news is that we are constantly working with the OPC (Ocean Protection Council) and others on coming up with solutions that meet the needs of most. As a conservation group, we naturally are all for conservation efforts for our future, but want to be certain that additional closures and regulations are not included in measures like these.
What’s the best way an individual can help with CCA California's mission in protecting and promoting California’s costal resources?
There are many great ways for any individuals to participate and help with our mission and cause. We always are in need of donations, whether it's through our monthly pledge program, our business contribution program, or make a one-time donation, everything helps and matters to us greatly. Another way to help is to get involved with any of our nine local chapters, which all meet at least once per month. And as always, if someone is looking for more information regarding what we do, our goals and efforts, or would like to get involved legislatively, please reach out to me.
For more info on CCA California visit: CCACalifornia.org
SALT. is donating a portion of profits from the 1898 glass to CCA California in an effort to help with their mission of protecting fisheries and their habitat.