History
CCA and others worked to stop the vessel whale restrictions. In January 2025 the restriction rule was withdrawn.
With support from CCA and others Governor Desantis vetoed the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Restoration Blueprint due to disagreements on management within State Waters.
CCA is working to decrease a closure in Biscayne National Park. The FWC has introduced a 1.74sq mile, 7 month closure to protect a pre-spawn aggregation for bonefish.
CCA successfully defended a lawsuit from the commercial reef fish industry, protecting key fishery allocation precedent. CCA Florida is also addressing access issues at the Skyway fishing pier and working to reduce pelican entanglements.
The organization supported major policy efforts, including HB 1379 for the Indian River Lagoon protection plan and HJR 1157 to establish the right to hunt and fish, now headed to the 2024 ballot. CCAFL also helped stop the closure of 11 artificial reefs due to insufficient science.
CCA Florida joined Governor DeSantis for the announcement of a 70-day Gulf red snapper season.
On conservation, CCA Florida and the Building Conservation Trust have contributed over $1.3 million since 2010, leveraging more than $9 million in habitat projects. In 2023, 13 projects were completed or underway, with 14 more planned.
Recent efforts include eelgrass restoration along the St. Lucie River and continued oyster reef restoration, with over 60 tons of recycled shell deployed since 2021.
CCA Florida worked with FWC to open a regulated Goliath Grouper season and helped announce a 57-day Gulf red snapper season with Governor DeSantis. They also pushed for stricter Mahi Mahi regulations and successfully opposed increasing redfish bag limits, instead strengthening conservation measures.
CCA Florida defended key fishery allocation precedent in an ongoing lawsuit and worked to stop large-scale bottom closures off Florida’s east coast, while opposing right whale slow speed zones.
On conservation, CCA Florida has restocked over 40,000 trout and 205,000 redfish, completed 12 habitat projects in 2022, and contributed over $1.2 million since 2010—leveraging more than $9 million in restoration efforts.
Their oyster recycling program has collected over 100 tons of shells, with 60 tons deployed for restoration. Additional efforts include deploying 7 artificial reefs, removing 75+ tons of marine debris, and reseeding over 1 million clams in 2022 (15 million since 2018).
CCA Florida, alongside leading conservation groups, helped secure seasonal fishing closures at Western Dry Rocks to protect spawning snapper and permit. The organization also opposes oil drilling in the Bahamas and supports sustainable tournament practices, helping release over 1,300 redfish and promoting weigh-release formats.
CCA Florida has worked with FWC on red tide fishery closures and continues addressing major water quality issues, including Everglades restoration and lagoon health. They remain active in protecting the net ban amendment and advancing fisheries science through initiatives like the Redfish Summit and Snook Symposium.
Additionally, CCA Florida is collaborating with FWC and SAFMC to enhance the East Coast dolphin (mahi-mahi) fishery.