Gulf Coast Research Lab Receives Check from Local Conservation Chapter
Thu, 05/03/2012 - 08:04am | By: Martha Brown
The Bay St. Louis chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) will present a check for $2,500 to The University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) on Saturday, May 5 at the Garfield Ladner Memorial Pier in Waveland.
Representatives from both GCRL and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (DMR) will be in attendance to receive the donation. The money will be used for general equipment and supplies that support the rearing, tagging, releasing and post-release monitoring of spotted Sea trout.
The Pilot Stocking program, a partnership between GCRL and the DMR, tests the effectiveness of using hatchery-raised fish to enhance Mississippi's Sea trout population. The spotted Sea trout, Cynoscion nebulosus, known locally as speckled trout, is one of Mississippi's chief sport fishes.
GCRL has long been involved in the development of culture and stocking programs for several recreational finfish species. The lab has built a knowledge base about spotted Sea trout age and growth, reproduction and seasonal movements. A strong relationship exists between the lab and groups such as the CCA, especially through enlisting volunteer anglers in tag-and-release programs.
The donated funds came from the 5th annual Ernie Zimmerman Friends and Family Live Catch tournament held in December of 2011. Some of the fish caught in this tournament went to support the speckled trout population in the Mississippi Sound by providing brood stock.
The CCA will be hosting a Casting for Conservation Kid's Fishing Rodeo on Saturday, May 5th from 8 a.m. to noon at the Garfield Ladner Memorial Pier in Waveland. The rodeo is free to all children ages 5-13 and lunch will be provided. There will be lessons for the children on conservation, knot-tying, casting and water safety just to name a few. For more information about the rodeo, please contact Owen Johnson at 228-363-3264, owen.johnson@att.net
The CCA's stated purpose is to advise and educate the public on conservation of marine resources. The objective of CCA is to conserve, promote and enhance the present and future availability of these coastal resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the general public.
For more information about the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, visit: http://www.usm.edu/gcrl/
