wildlife commission/CCA responses
 

I sent 2 emails in regards to most of the issues discussed on this board lately. Oyster dredging, license fees, channel dredging, weir control, I sent the emails to the wildlife commission and to CCA CEO(David Cresson). Within hours I didn't get a reply email, I recieved phone calls from both the commision member Will Drost and CCA CEO David Cresson. Had lengthy conversations with both. I'll tell you both have our best interest at heart and they are working on a lot of issues.

I suggest instead of all just sitting here complaining about things that we really don't know jack about. Take action type up an email with your concerns or questions and send it. Thats the only way to get your voice heard, I promise sitting here complaining is not going to change anything.

Bureaucrats and politicians are masterful at convincing the naive that their concerns are being addressed.

But the fact is that the when SC members expressed their concerns on the proposed tripletail regulations in writing, CCA and the LWF Commission went full speed ahead only taking additional steps to hide and make their ongoing efforts less transparent.

I've written to CCA and to LWF Commission about various issues and never received a single reply. All appearances are of some kind of old boys network where the average citizen is neglected and you gotta know somebody ...

-dredging and use of spoils are being worked on now. Corp was going to just run a discharge pipe out in to the middle of the lake and cut it loose there. CCA suggested that be a very bad idea, and are working with corp on ideas on where to dump spoils that will help stop erosion.

- license fee increase. Will be used for dock studies etc. This will enable Big Lake to have its own data and be managed as a single estuary. Instead of being lumped in with the state trout and redfish data as in the past. Big lake is unique compared to the rest of the state and it would be good for it to be mangaed that way.

- weir operations. CCA connot operate the weirs, but they have a good relationship with the corp here and will inquire about the current operations of the weirs. I passed on the comments and questions that you guys brought up here.

-oyster dredging. The bill was being passed to limit the amount of dredging in the lake. Most oyster fisherman where on board with it because dredging isn't good for their future either. But the only people that took action were the ones for it. Protesting Blade's office and making death threats towards him. If we want oyster dredging to be regulated it will take some action on our parts. pnone calls and emails and support for the people pushing it not, death threats.

- Hopfully there will be a public meeting in the future to address all of the questions and issues we have about the future of the lake.

Triple Tail? That is your main issue with everything else that is going on around this lake?

No, tripletail or not the main issue, but it was an issue that motivated many SC members to action, and the actions were met with silence and hiding while pushing the agenda forward.

I've also attempted correspondence regarding "more important" issues and been ignored there as well. It's boycott the S.T.A.R. time, now. I expect them to be much more amenable (or at least pretend to be) once it becomes clear how much money it costs them to ignore important concerns and continue pushing more restrictive regulations.

I've learned that when a bureaucracy screws you on one issue, they'll screw you on other issues too.

Reading between the lines, can we expect CCA to use this "data" to push for more restrictive regulations on other species in addition to specks?

Will they push for lower limits on redfish and a narrower slot (21"-24") like they pushed for in Florida?

I contacted Read Hendon, the MS biologist whose data CCA referred to when pushing for the restrictive tripletail limits in the July LWF Commission meeting. The data has not been subject to peer review nor published and yet CCA referred to it when pushing for more restrictive limits. Do we expect them to be more honest if they can claim the data they are twisting originated in Big Lake?

What did Hendon say? CCA was lying?

Hendon said the data was not available and had not been published yet.

CCA was not reporting on actual published data or findings, but only hearsay.

So Louisiana is managing our fish stocks based on hearsay regarding the stocks in Mississippi, and CCA is pushing it because it suits their agenda of more restrictive regulations.

Gonna trust a couple politicians lol

T-TOP if CCA wants the support of me or others at this site then they better damn well try to earn it with ACTIONS and not just fancy double talk and unkept promises like them politicians always saying just wait until after the election and i'll get right on it. well they keep saying "do our job for us" and support STAR and then we'll get working on your concerns. if we have to do all the lobbying then why do we need and why should we support CCA? so they can walk around like a bunch of big shots? support means backing someone up but if they don't show up you aren't backing up anything so start publicly and privately start condemning regulations that are unwarranted and start lobbying for restrictions to be removed and limits to be increased where they can be like drum and redfish that are overpopulated and no longer in need of any type of protections.

tell them for us (since you seam to be the only one they seam fit to reply to) that we no longer will support them or STAR and will work to convince others not to support them either until they start talking ACTION and showing up to support OUR concerns and NOT pushing further unwarranted restrictions on us with no scientific reason for it.

while you are at it tell them we want all limitations on drum removed completely and the redfish limits doubled to 10 fish and 2 over 27". the size limit on redfish should also be reduced to 14" unless there is bonafide scientific PROOF that it will hurt the spawning populations.

the more excuses I hear from CCA and LWF the more i am convinced they care nothing about sportsmen and just want to restrict our rights to harvest our fisheries that scientists say can more then support increased harvesting and fishing pressure.

I dont think they will never increase our harvest even when science supports that doing so will not harm the fisheries.

their actions and lack there of continue to support the image that they don't represent the interests of sportsmen and are nothing more then environmental activists.

Guys. I've known David Cresson since he has been CCA Executive Director.. He's a Stand-up guy...

I can't speak for him.. But I'm sure U can invite him to come talk at a "MEETING"..

Invite UR elected officials??? Invite any WLF commissioner????

Analogy: It may be a poor one; but I'm not a Rocket Scientist Like MATH GEEK..

I'm just a simple CAJUNBOY.

I was at a red snapper public input meeting held in Lafayette, Several months ago... Believe me the Gulf Councils representative (Young Lady) was asked ALOT of HARD QUESTION'S. She listened to everyone of the questions/comments and everyone of themthey were recorded..... The questions and Comments were VERY, VERY HEATED AT TIMES..

SHE Took them back to the Gulf Council Meeting and they were reviewed... Still the Recreational Fisherman got it in the Rear, when the Federal Judge ruled in the Commercials favor..

The Very Old Analogy: U can Attract More FLY's with HONEY THAN Vinegar Applies here..

If many "JOIN TOGETHER". They can EFFECT More change By Using Honey than Vinegar..

Biggun

Keakar, go ahead and not enter the STAR and sit on your hands and do nothing else... See how much change happens. I could care less who fishes the STAR. Or joins CCA, but sitting at home talking big SH$T on a Internet forum isn't going to change anything.... I don't like the fact to prizes have went down hill in the STAR, I didn't include that In my email because we have bigger issues than that.


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you are right and supporting CCA also isn't going to change anything as proven by their actions and lack there of but they do have nice shirts and take pretty pictures with all our money.

we need to find an organization to put our support and $$$ behind that DOES represent the interests of sportsmen and CCA has shown it is not them.

There is no other group.... Your voice in a reasonable and intelligent fashion is much stronger than blindly throwing money at an organization.


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we are not unwilling to come out and be active to support any organization that is working FOR our interests but we aren't going to support CCA who works AGAINST our interests at every opportunity.

if no group exists then one will be created but one thing is for sure as long as its not run by CCA or LWF it will be one that truly represents the interests of sportsmen and not about good times and special interests.

millions of sportsmen in this state are sickened by CCA and LWF and what its become and will gladly support any startup group that champions the causes we support. sure it will take time but if the group represents our interests then in a short 2 or 3 years it will be bigger and more powerful then CCA ever dreamed of being and when you pizz off and betray sportsmen they don't forgive that and will jump at the chance to oppose them and support a group to replace them so a new voice free from special interests is there to speak for us and be supported by us.

I'd rather no change than more change for the worse thanks to CCA

Keakar

In UR last post; it sounds Like U would the logical Choice to be the "Founding FATHER" of that Organization..

Start it UP !!!!

Anyone familiar with this organization? Not sure if they could help in the erosion/land loss matter?

http://www.crcl.org/about-us/mission.html

So let me ask a simple question? Just WHAT are your "interests."?? Seems like what I get from reading a lot of threads and posts on this forum and others is that it boils down to being able to catch and keep any and as many fish as you can. Sad actually.

I'm fixing to start going to the oyster shucker and filling sacks of shucked oysters and build some small ones... Of course I'll be building em in the middle of the night! Along w some cinder blocks... Anyone know the price of oyster seed and how much it covers etc?


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I just want channel fixed and oysters either tongs only r mandatory reseeding... And I'll take care of the fish murdering... Keeping the estuary pristine will keep the fishing excellent like it was... When u see a bad yr weather can be blamed see 2 throws a flag and makes u look at what's changed



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I'll deck hand for you on those trips!!

No one has advocated keeping "any and as many fish as you can" on this forum.

We have advocated limits and regulations supported by sound, public scientific data rather than jealousy, fear, and special interests.

That's exactly what they do. They do vegetation plantings. I've worked with them a few times. Actually have a bad habit of trying to claim other people's projects. Other than that, they do good work.

Obama also said if you like your insurance plan you can keep it...


Politics will politic

Actions speak louder than words

far from it, I don't want to keep anything or have any regulations changed for anything that cant be supported by actual science that says the fishery can support it. if the science says that the fishery is healthy and can support more harvesting then change the regulations to allow more harvest (which never happens).

as it stands now CCA is trying to get us into a catch and release only fishery for all species of fish with no science to back up the need and in direct opposition of real science and data that says their position and the regulations they are pushing for are wrong. they sit around and think up ideas that sound good to them and push them through even though scientist tell them it wont work or even will have negative impacts such as the crazy idea lowering speck limits in big lake will create even more bigger trout there. in fact just as scientists told them its the food supply that determines how big specks get NOT how many you are allowed to keep. so instead of solving the food supply problem they are off chasing crazy ideas not supported by science. had they worked on increasing the food source for them then big lake would be a trophy speck destination like no other yet they have done nothing that scientists told them would work to get the desired results. they are clueless and only concerned with self promotion rather then working hard for real change that is supported by science and 90% of the positions they take are in direct opposition to what the science says should be done.

when it gets to the point you can only keep one or two fish and have to spend $500-$700 just to go do it, then CCA has achieved its goal and its a fishery that is being reserved only for the wealthy and well off and the regular public is deprived of that fishery by default of it being too expensive with no reward or benefit. people around here need to feed their families with the fish they catch, its not just a hobby or pastime for most of us.

Blade Morrish lives in Jennings, have you went by to talk to him about the bill that was going to restrict oyster dredging?


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Yep, on phone, in person, by email

have you?

Did he say why did he back off of the bill for tonging only?

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Is there a bill now for this?


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Math Geek, I really like your passion for the issues we all are facing here in Calcasieu but you simply overreach in your assumptions regarding what CCA. Please don't take that the wrong way but you simply do not have all of the facts. I will make you a deal, I will pay for a CCA membership for you for one year and you can get involved at the local board level, meet the hard working men and women who truly have our fishing resources at heart. Just a hunch, but I think your feelings will change or at least improve regarding who and what CCA is. CCA needs folks who have passion and vision which I think you have. DEAL????

Because that's the only bills politicians care about.

http://randombio.com/100-dollar-bills4medium.jpg

No thanks. I've done my homework and gathered lots of facts. I'm not into shell games that require personal interaction. People and organizations that put their positions in writing and are willing to be judged by their actions are more believable than verbal positions taken at meetings.

CCA consistently pushes for more restrictive limits just to be on the safe side, even when there is no scientific data suggesting that the current regulations are not sustainable. They've done this for black drum (statewide), specks (Big Lake), and most recently tripletail (statewide). They even wanted to narrow the redfish slot to 21-24" in Florida and close the redfish season in October, even though redfish stocks have made a tremendous recovery since the closure of commercial fishing and the ban in federal waters. They also opposed Florida recently raising the redfish limit from 1 to 2 slot reds.

Finally, CCA recently backed LA raising the saltwater fishing license cost by 136%. Louisiana needs data driven regulations. The "better safe than sorry" philosophy will always favor increasing restrictions on liberty. The focus on fisheries conservation in Louisiana should be on habitat: marsh, oyster reefs, artificial reefs, reducing erosion.

As soon as CCA comes out in public lobbying to REPEAL the tripletail restrictions and REPEAL the trout limit of 15 in Big Lake, I will give a membership serious consideration. But when a group has been screwing the sportsmen, you don't get into a closer relationship to "get to know them better" until they make amends for past wrongs.

CCA has a clear propensity to consistently favor more restrictive fisheries regulations, even when there is not solid data showing that harvests are unsustainable under current regulations. In contrast to this viewpoint which will lead to ever increasing regulations, here are my carefully considered principles:

Conservative Principles of Responsible Wildlife Management

Sportsmen's liberties in pursuing and harvesting fish and game should not be further restricted unless there is sound and compelling scientific data demonstrating a true conservation need. Regulations should not be based on irrational fear that the resource might not remain for future generations; they should be based on sound scientific data showing the resource cannot be sustained for future generations under current management practices.

Sustainable harvests and use of the resources should always be allowed, and the burden of proof for those proposing new regulations should be on those proposing to impose criminal penalties for liberties which have been previously enjoyed. I see no wisdom in adopting restrictive regulations copying the example of neighboring states. Louisiana waters are generally less pressured and allow a more bountiful harvest than neighboring States. Whenever possible, Louisiana would do well to support the tourism industry and justify the expense of non-resident hunting and fishing licenses by maintaining more liberal harvest limits than other Gulf states. Our "Sportsman's Paradise" allows us to share our resources more liberally.

Finally, we should realize that habitat loss and other environmental factors often have a greater negative effect on fish and game populations than harvest pressure. Declining numbers of a population should not be blindly attributed to harvest pressure unless all possible confounding factors have been duly considered with applicable data-driven scientific approaches. In the long term, habitat loss is a greater threat to the sustainability of Louisiana fisheries than over fishing.

Data driven science should be the cornerstone of Louisiana's fishery management. All fisheries data, collection methodologies, and interpretations of Louisiana's data used to manage Louisiana's fisheries should be available to the public and subject to peer review and public scrutiny to ensure that management decisions are transparent, data-driven, and made with due consideration of sound scientific principles and stakeholder interests.

CCA has Zero fight right now on oyster fishing ZERO

Until they start showing Actions and not talk, your wasting your money supporting a lost cause and I speak for a lot of fishing guides, crabbers and others who make a living on the waters



When was the last time the CCA had a spoke person down here in person asking questions talking to crabbers, guides and recreational fisherman??





Never!! Like is said Actions.Speak.louder than words and CCA action here on big lake have been ZERO





But we did get a $650,000+ reef that was donated from old road and the CCA sunshine pumpers got to make the paper

^^^^^^^^ Best statement ever ^^^^^^^^^^^

CCA motto

" it's the right thing to do"
Science we don't need no stinking science

exactly :bounce: but you lost them as soon as you used that dreaded "c" word, wish you had just simply called it: Principles of Responsible Wildlife Management

the second the libs saw that they wrote your ideas off as crazy tea party stuff. sad but true in todays political climate of ignoring the opposing views

Truly sorry you feel that way and again your passion is so misguided that it is a shame. I would hope you, "W", kekar and the rest will put all of your concern for the resource and your collective energies expressed here on the interweb into forming an organization to accomplish the goals you seek. As I said about a month ago "those of you who doubt CCA's concern for our resources just sit tight".

I didn't sit tight when they cut our trout limits in half and cca sent every Texas member an email telling them to vote to support 5 trout/day and 2 flounder/day from nov. 1 till the middle of Dec. I spoke against it publicly, and texted, called, and emailed every tx fisherman i could to tell them that the cca is screwing us and to vote the opposite of the cca recommendation. But too many cool aid drinkers never questioned the authority of the almighty cca, and our limits got cut in half. With no science to back it up. In fact the flounder harvest data suggested that the fishery had rebounded significantly, so instead of letting the fishermen keep a few more this year, the extended the 2 flounder/day period by 50%!!!. I honestly don't get it?

Also...sit tight...is another way of saying...I know something you don't know....what's the big secret?

You mean sit tight until CCA's main fundraising efforts are over for the year?

We been sitting tight for a long long time while they are rapping west Cove down to the mud line with dredging and no plans of reseeding

CCA has nothing on tap for oyster dredging right now so tell us how long are we going to have to sit tight? How much longer will Long point be a land mark? How many more summers will the weirs choke the life out of the lake??

Are we as fisherman and sportsman suppose to be happy right now? Serious question?

Can one person Name 1 thing the CCA has done on Big Lake in last 15 years? Too save our estuary







Please do not say put a $650k reef in that was 100% donated that anyone could of done!!


Chernier Energy has done more than our own CCA

I was oblivious to this before these threads. I entered the star erry yr for the last 5yrs. This may be the first yr I don't!


"Go ahead, share your opinion! I won't cry"

Was a member of CCA here in B,R,, Went to a meeting and had a few questions about why things were being done and how they were being done . The first 2 times i asked the question the person at the podium acted like he didn;t hear me so i said it quit loudly the 3rd time,
The speaker ignored me and abruptly changed the subject. Last time i had anything to do w/ CCA.

Sit tight boys, you're in good hands

I wish these CCA puppets would come talk to these crabbers here at Heberts, had a 2 hour talk with 4 of the just now, The older man been crabbing here all his life and last year and this year are his worst so far


Weirs Weirs Weirs killing the lake

Here is a good solution I heard from one today


Keep weirs open year around every set, rock Eddie a line from Old Jetties to Com pt..leaving 30 yard gaps

Rock wash out closed but leave release gaps