The Mission of the Saltwater-fisheries Enhancement Association (SEA) is to promote the preservation, conservation and enhancement of the saltwater inshore and offshore coastal resources for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
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SEA PROJECTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

LEGISLATIVE:

1.  Regulation of floating cabins.  Legislatively required identification of owners, registration, permitting and establishing financial responsibility on the part of the owners.

REGULATORY:

1.  Elimination of the retention of limits caught by guides.  This original         recommendation evolved into the “Trout Workgroup” which established the 28 inch Trophy status for Trout in addition to eliminating the retention of limits by guides.

2.  Initial discussions with Texas Parks and Wildlife on Flounder regulation based on recommendations by Dr. Joan Holt, UTMSI Port Aransas, which resulted in the adoption of regulations in 2008 that mirrored the original suggestions by SEA.

PROJECTS:

  1. Provided equipment and operators to clean out drainage ditch at the Flour Bluff Hatchery facilitating the quicker turnover of grow out ponds.  (This was an in kind donation of equipment and operator usage by Tommy Nelms and Joe Fleck valued at approximately $20,000.)
  2. $100,000 grant to the hatchery for the purchase and installation of paddle wheels for aeration of the grow out ponds.
  3. $102,565 To the Texas State Aquarium for the construction of pond associated with SEA camp to grow Redfish fingerling and release into local bays.
  4. $192,000 grant to University of Texas Marine Science Institute to build new research building and upgrade equipment in other facilities to facilitate Flounder research.  Attempting to develop successful spawning, grow out and release of Flounder.
  5. $36,000 provided to the University of Texas Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas, Texas, to facilitate a $108,000 grant to study habitat preferences of juvenile Flounder.  This project, lead by Scot Holt, is aimed at maximizing survival rates of fingerling Flounder when released into our bays and estuaries.  Total value of project $144,000.
  6. $13,500 matched by a like amount from the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program facilitating a $104,000 grand from Texas Parks and Wildlife for the reconstruction of the Nueces Bay boat ramp.  This is the only boat ramp providing access to Nueces Bay and by providing a usable launch facility, fishermen’s access to this bay system is assured.  This project was administered by Nueces County with in kind donations from the County and TxDot.  Total value of project; $131,000 plus value of in kind donations.
  7. $68,578 to construct boat storage/maintenance facility on State owned property for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in Rockport, Texas.  This facility eliminates monthly rental payments for storage, thus providing additional funds for marine management purposes.
  8. $209,580 providing equipment to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Enforcement and Coastal Fisheries Divisions.  This includes, among other things, night vision equipment, hatchery stocking trailer, GPS equipment, water monitoring equipment for the hatchery, an ATV, outboard engine analyzer, bullet proof vest and upgraded radio equipment.
  9. $45,000 directed to The Billfish Foundation, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to support their ongoing studies of migratory patterns of various offshore species with a particular focus on White Marlin.
  10. An additional $36,000 to The Billfish Foundation to support studies of “highly migratory species” with focus on Billfish, but will involve all “HMS and can compliment the Tarpon study funding.
  11. $45,000 providing scholarships at Texas A & M Corpus Christi for graduate studies in Marine Science or a related field of study.
  12. $17,950 sponsoring various youth fishing events in conjunction with the City of Portland Parks and Recreation Department, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Marine Development Center, Flour Bluff, Texas.
  13. $91,358 to sponsor the Kid Fish Foundation fish tank at elementary schools in the Corpus Christi, Flour Bluff and Calallen Independent School Districts.  Texas Parks and Wildlife Enforcement Division and the Marine Development Center participate in these events exposing children to fishing and the principals of fishery management.
  14. $10,000 to support hydrology studies on Cedar Bayou as a first step in potentially dredging and reopening this natural pass.  This donation was matched equally by the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuary Program, CCA and Save Cedar Bayou, Inc. to fully fund this initial study.
  15. $65,120 to fund a portion of a two year study conducted by the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas in partnership with the University of Miami of migratory patterns, habitat preferences and survival of Tarpon summering along the Texas Coast.  This information will be incorporated into prior studies conducted in the Northern Caribbean and along the coast of Mexico to better understand the spatial and seasonal movements of Tarpon in the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Seas
  16. $26,135 contributed to other educational efforts including funding boating accident investigation seminar for game wardens, local seminars for coastal fisheries biologist, providing travel expenses for speakers at various seminars, funding a bay debris origin study conducted by high school marine biology students through the Harte Institute at Texas A & M Corpus Christi and the development of a mobile Coastal Exposure exhibit also at the Harte Institute.
  17. $22,500 sponsoring Operation Game Thief billboards in coastal areas encouraging the reporting of both fish and game violations.
  18. $92,000 currently committed to the restoration and improvements of the public boat ramps and parking lots in the Billings and Clem’s area under the JFK Causeway.  This is an estimated $1.5M project expected to be completed in 2012.  The goal of the partnership, consisting of SEA, City of Corpus Christi, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, General Land Office, TxDot and the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, is to improve fishermen’s access to the Laguna Madre, Packery Channel and the Gulf of Mexico.
  19. Offshore Artificial Reef Project:  SEA is currently in the initial stages of  identifying suitable areas for the development of near shore reefs within State waters 8 to 9 miles offshore from the Packery Jetties.  This is a joint effort with SEA, the City of Corpus Christi and Texas Parks and Wildlife.  As this project develops SEA will be providing local funds, both cash and in-kind, to satisfy requirements to obtain grants through the Texas P & W’s Near Shore Reef Program.  (For additional information contact Mike Hurst, Chairman of SEA Offshore Committee @ 816-7070)

RAISING MONEY FOR LOCAL PROJECTS


Saltwater-fisheries Enhancement Association * 711 N. Carancahua, Suite 915 * Corpus Christi, TX 78475 * 361.886.1100