The New Hampshire Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association was established in June of 1998 by 100 former members of the Southern Maine and New Hampshire chapters of CCA Maine. The Coastal Conservation Association National Organization has chapters in most coastal states from Texas to Maine, as well as Washington and Oregon, with a membership of over 100,000. The president of CCA NH serves as a voting member of the CCA National Executive Committee, meeting three times annually to set national policy. A small portion of membership funds are retained by the national organization for administration and advocacy. All other funds raised at CCA NH events remain in the state for programming as the board deems advisable.
The CCA NH Board is open to all members willing to participate. It is an all volunteer organization that functions without a paid executive director.
CCA NH has representation on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and two of its advisory panels, the New England Fisheries Management Council advisory panels, and the Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership. Members of CCA NH have been, and currently are, serving as members of the Advisory Committee on Marine Fisheries and the NH F&G Commission. We are afforded the opportunity to have an input in the selection process of individuals appointed by the governor, or his designee, to some of these groups and commissions. CCA NH testifies before the NH legislature regarding bills related to marine resources.
In January 2009, CCA NH hosted Tuna Mania IV to another sold out crowd at the Redhook Brewery. Research and conservation, fishing techniques, and regulations were the centerpiece of the program. Significant funds were raised to support the bluefin tuna tagging work conducted by Dr. Molly Lutcavage of the UNH Large Pelagics Research Center.
The 11th Annual Banquet and Fundraiser was held in late March and raised thousands of dollars for the year's programming. Ellen Goethel of Hampton was recognized as the Conservationist of the Year for her extensive work in education and conservation. The Orvis Company received the Corporate Sponsor Award for their continued and historical financial support.
CCA NH allocated $7500 towards the removal of the Winnicut River Dam in Greenland to facilitate the passage of anadromous species upstream to suitable spawning areas. The dam was removed in October and became the first significant free flowing tributary in the Great Bay drainage.
In addition to the annual sportsmen shows, CCA NH participated in several outreach events made possible by the Kittery Trading Post, Navtronics, the Eldredge Fly Shop, and the Gundalow Company. These were great opportunities to communicate with the public and highlight the very serious conditions and challenges facing our regional estuaries and watersheds.
Board members testified on several occasions before the NH legislature on issues that we strongly supported. Both the saltwater license which will comply with the federal registry requirements, and the creation of a coastal watershed alliance, allowing communities to collectively address water quality issues, were enacted.
We teamed up with Seacoast Big Brothers/Big Sisters in June for our 7th annual 'Kid's Fishing Event' aboard the Atlantic Queen out of Rye Harbor, followed by a cookout at Wallis Sands. We lent support to the Wentworth Kid's Fishing Tournament organized by the Little Harbour Charitable Foundation.
The newly written outreach brochure was used in July for the Circle Hook Campaign. Hooks were donated by Gamakatsu and attached to the brochure. Board members canvassed the region to hand out the circle hooks and brochures to fishermen at popular fishing locations and launching sites. Reducing recreational striped bass mortality continues to be imperative.
In April and again in September, CCA NH joined in coastal cleanups organized by the Blue Ocean Society of Portsmouth. With the help of Great Bay Trout Unlimited and four Home Depot stores, we have become responsible for cleaning Fort Stark and a stretch of coastline north of Wallis Sands on an annual basis.
This fall, the Orvis Company looked favorably on a grant request submitted earlier in the year. The proposal would create an oyster shell recycling program and bed restoration project in Great Bay. Orvis has provided $10,000 to commence the project. The details are available elsewhere on this website.
There will be plenty of opportunities for all of us all to get involved in the future. In an all volunteer organization, it is imperative that everyone does a little so that no one person tries to do it all. Where can you help out?