I expect to be at the SC tourney willing to shoot the breeze with anyone who happens by. I don't expect to make many CCA meetings, especially if membership in the group (and payment of a membership fee) is a requirement for a place in the discussion.

I treasure my time in SW Louisiana and I prefer to spend it fishing and with family than with CCA. CCA knows how to reach me if they want to discuss anything.

I hardly see the similarity between the two. On the one hand, you are talking about a non-profit group, and a very localized issue. On the other hand, you have a For-profit company and a national issue.

Two different situations in my opinion.

I get the point you are trying to make, but its just not the same situation.

Boycott the S.T.A.R.: Gafftop condition points to problems in the Calcasieu Lake
 

I know few people appreciate gafftops as much as I do, but the condition of gafftops serve as a useful bioindicator of the health of the estuary. Being dominantly a bottom feeder and spending more time in the lake than in the marsh, considering the body condition of gafftops is useful in assessing whether the bigger issues impacting the lake originate in the lake or the marsh and whether they impact species higher or lower in the water column.

Think of a gafftop as a sentinel organism whose relative condition factor can be used to determine how much forage is available lower in the water column. The attached graph shows that gafftops, especially the longer length classes, are having a hard time maintaining healthy body condition over the study period (2011 - 2013).

It is, but it isn't. Every organization, for profit or non-profit thrive on resources. Resources are man hours and money. Money trumping everything else. The general public has a choice on where to place their charitable/conservation dollars, and in this regard CCA is competing for resources like any for profit company would.

Granted, CCA's goal isn't to hit an earnings target per quarter to please owners/shareholders and receive a positive impact to their stock price, they do aim to please their members and the general public to get what they need most... money.

The term non-profit in and of itself is misleading. While the overall goal isn't to make money, CCA has full time employees that are not volunteers. Their compensation is directly correlated to the success of the organization.

CAA has followed a certain agenda for the past few years, some argue for it, some argue against it, but the organization continues to move forward because of funding. The more funding it receives, the more they want to continue the behaviors that lead to the funding in the first place.
This makes perfect sense.

A public company will stick to the same business model if they see increased demand for their stock based upon their current business strategy.

Everyone knows that the consumer benefits when they have choice and competition. CCA right now has no real completion for these types of dollars.
So the options are as follows:
1. Agree with CCA and support them
2. Disagree, but still support them because no better alternative.
3. Create a new entity and give "consumers" a choice on where they want to spend their conservation dollars and which agenda to support
4. ***** and do nothing

In conclusion, MG's point is right on in that money and donations are CCA's true earnings report. If those continue to increase, they believe they are doing a good job based on the only feedback that matters.

Its up to each individual to decide what "grade" they want to give them.

Cca non profit,

Nice! 1,000% profit margins too

Why won't they release their books to the membership?

Man we are screwed.

I would like to know what they pay there employees

2011 - 990 for CCA

Dude I know where u can hammer huge gaftops every cast


"Go ahead, share your opinion! I won't cry"

Post da location!

Boat stalls you catch 1million hardheads

Math geek did u know gaff tops get spaghetti worms too.

Yes, the children have done that a time or two. Pulled up a bonus sheephead too, along with a few mullet.

I've read that. But I musta filleted dozens of gafftops last year and didn't see it a single time. In contrast, it's in most bull drum.

Funny thing the gulf at fresh water 9 of ten gaff and nothing in reds but blacks had 10 of 10

In the middle of southwest pass in out of da pernt. Drop a shrimp down and hold on. I've done it 3x wasting bait bored with no fish... Every time same result. Fish on! It's deep so they throw down!


"Go ahead, share your opinion! I won't cry"

Most of our gafftops last year were from the Calcasieu Jetties and Caminada pass. Caught a bunch from the dock at Bobby Lynn's too (Bayou Lafourche).

Just to make it official

Attachment 67109

Heard NOAA/NMFS will also be implementing new restrictions on Tripletail by the end of the year as well.