Tri-Parish Chapter of Coastal Conservation Association inaugural banquet April 13

The Tri-Parish Chapter of Coastal Conservation Association will hold its inaugural banquet at 5:30 p.m. April 13 at the Northwest Community Center in Eunice.
Randy Young, chapter president, said, “We had our first meeting with Tony Berrigan, coordinator for CCA, last year in October. He wanted to see what kind of showing we would have, if it even warranted having a chapter open.
“We had 12 people at our first committee meeting, and right there on the spot, he said if we wanted to do it, we had enough people to move forward.”
CCA, a non-profit organization, was founded nationally in 1977 and in Louisiana in 1983 to promote responsible management of the state’s fishery resources. The organization works to provide scientific research through tagging programs, educate youth about conservation matters and complete habitat restoration projects along the coast. There are 29 CCA chapters and 23,000 members statewide.
Committee members from the Tri-Parish area are Young, Freddie Fruge, Richie Gaspard, Donald Fruge, Jason Bertrand, J.C. Carpenter, Mac Atteberry, Peter Miller, Clark Lafleur, Tony Berrigan, Brett Manuel, Ed Manuel, Mike Sonnier and junior member Quin Fruge.
Young, who has attended other CCA chapter banquets across the state, said there are many of saltwater anglers in the Eunice area.
“In the last several years, we’ve had a lot of people who were attending the Crowley chapter banquet,” Young said. “We just felt that there were enough people here in Eunice alone to warrant a charter. Then, when you have Basile, Mamou and Ville Platte, the Evangeline Parish area, there are a lot of fisherman in those areas, too, and that’s why we wanted to invite everyone to join us. We invite those from Church Point and Iota to join, too.”
Young said he and the committee members hope to sell 200 tickets to the inaugural banquet, and tickets may be purchased from any committee member or at the door. Tickets are $50 per person, and $25 for those 17 and under. Sponsorship packages are also available. Ticket cost covers the meal at the banquet and a one-year membership in the association.
There will be a live auction, a silent auction and raffles at the banquet. Auction items include artwork, fishing gear and guided fishing trips.
Young, an avid Calcasieu (Big) Lake angler, supports CCA for several reasons, including the organization’s conservation efforts like reef building for fishing habitats, derelict crab trap removal and fish tagging programs.
“One of things I love about CCA is that it is very involved with the legislators to insure that we have conservation,” Young said. “The main thing CCA does is it stands up for the sports fishermen.”
He continued, “They get kids from schools together to plant plants that keep the coast from eroding. They just do a lot for Louisiana, and they do a lot in Louisiana. A big portion of all their funds raised are spent back right here. That’s what’s one of the best things about CCA.”
Committee member Donald Fruge said, “Being a saltwater fisherman, it’s always good to support organizations that help keep the sport healthy. CCA is a big voice for conservation.”
Committee member J.C. Carpenter said, “Whenever I fish saltwater, I always join the STAR (Statewide Tournament and Anglers Rodeo) tournament. I just like what they stand for, and I like the program.”
David Cresson, executive director of CCA Louisiana, said, “We truly could not be more excited about bringing a CCA Chapter to Eunice. There are a countless number of conservation-minded sportsmen in the Eunice area. It was overdue to have a CCA representation there.
“The excitement and enthusiasm shown by volunteers and the leadership we have seen there will make a strong chapter for years to come. Randy Young and his team will make it a great chapter.”
For more information, visit www.ccalouisiana.com.