Coastal Conservation Association (CCA)

CCA Cleanup Project Wins National Recognition

HOUSTON, TX – One person’s trash really is another person’s treasure.

A project that has removed tons of debris and trash from Texas bays and beaches officially turned to gold when Coastal Conservation Association Texas’ Bay Debris Cleanup program received the 2007 Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Award bestowed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). Volunteer leaders from CCA Texas were in Washington DC in early June to receive the award from retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere, and NOAA administrator.

“The health and sustainability of the planet’s ocean resources is of paramount importance for the world’s environmental, economic and human well-being,” said Lautenbacher. “The contributions from the award recipients inspire others and enhance NOAA’s marine science and management programs every day.”

The Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Award was created in 2005 to recognize outstanding performance by industries, organizations and individuals whose contributions promote best stewardship practices for the sustained use of the nation’s marine resources. Recipients of the award were selected from more than 60 nominations in six categories. CCA Texas received the Conservation Partnership Award for the effort that cleared tons of debris from the bay and beach in and around the Coastal Bend area near Corpus Christi.

“This is not your typical beach trash pick-up,” said David Cummins, CCA president. “Members of the CCA Corpus Christi chapter worked for months to find the funding, arrange the machinery and secure the permits to remove things like abandoned boats, derelict fish camps and huge pieces of industrial equipment that followed the currents onto Texas’ beaches. It was an exceptional effort that created a template for how to achieve coastal cleanup on a truly grand scale.”

“It is one thing to recognize the need for a project like this, and quite another to invest the time, money and expertise to actually make it happen,” said Pat Murray, CCA director of conservation. “Those volunteers achieved something truly extraordinary, something that is a benefit to the entire state. They deserve this award and the gratitude of everyone who values Texas’ coastal environment.”

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