Columbia, S.C. - On Tuesday June 22, 2004 The Coastal Conservation Association of South Carolina (CCA SC), because of the dedication and hard work of its members, will raise the bar in its mission to improving recreational fishing in South Carolina. That morning at around noon, the largest non-profit marine conservation organization in the state will be creating the newest artificial reef within easy reach of South Carolina’s fishermen.
“We as an organization are extremely proud of this project and are excited about the possibilities both for the resource and for fishermen that come with it,” said CCA SC State Chairman Rob Donlin. With the help of FishAmerica Foundation and The Brunswick Public Foundation, the organization will be sinking two tugboats, one 105 footer and one 45 footer to create the CCA – McClellanville Reef site. Located just nine short nautical miles southeast of the mouth of Five Fathom Creek in McClellanville, SC in 50 feet of water, the vessels will instantly create live bottom habitat where there was nothing. The next closest site for structure is the Hector reef site some fifteen miles to the north. Situated in the heart of king mackerel territory, the CCA – McClellanville Reef is surely to become a favorite among fishermen searching for a mixed bag of species as well as tournament fishermen looking for that winning “smoker”. The site is expected to begin producing fish almost immediately due to its proximity to natural surroundings of channel formations, deep ledges, and currents.
“This project is representative of the many aspects of marine conservation that CCA SC is active in and with more anglers joining our ranks daily, we look forward to doing even bigger and better things” said Tom Milliken, Jr., CCA SC State Vice Chairman. CCA SC has been involved for several years now in the habitat restoration and enhancement arena as the largest sponsor of the state oyster restoration project.
With nearly 90,000 members and 15 state chapters, CCA is dedicated to the conservation and pr