CCA & Mud Hole releases 15,000 Redfish in Indian River Lagoon
Eugene L. 11.21.22
Mud Hole Custom Tackle, Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Florida, and the Duke Energy Mariculture Center have come together again in an effort to improve the health of local fisheries and ecosystems. This time with the release of over 15,000 juvenile redfish at Ramp Road Park. This was done as part of the East Coast Redfish Restocking Initiative: “Release the East.” This juvenile fish release was the result of years of effort and planning. All of it is in an effort to help and grow the redfish population in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon.
“The Indian River is such an important ecosystem to the east coast of Florida, and we are proud to work with CCA Florida to help with its preservation” said Brook Oliva, Mud Hole Custom Tackle President. “It’s been amazing to work with Brian and the whole CCA team over the past two years on this program. From catching the broodstock to today’s release of thousands of redfish, it’s been a rewarding effort for the Mud Hole Custom Tackle team.”
The Release the East initiative is the east coast extension of CCA Florida and Duke Energy Mariculture Center’s successful west coast redfish stocking program. Both of these initiatives are focused on revitalizing the declining redfish populations along both Florida’s East and West Coasts. The release of the over 15,000 juvenile redfish was just the beginning of this, with plans for at least 100,000 red fish to be released throughout the month.
“Partnering with Mud Hole Custom Tackle really helped move the Release the East effort forward, with financial support and hands-on volunteerism,” CCA Florida Executive Director Brian Gorski said. “It was only fitting to have Brook personally release the first group of redfish on Friday. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Mud Hole and establishing a thriving redfish population on Florida’s East Coast.”
Mud Hole Custom Tackle and CCA Florida’s partnership goal is to ensure the health and preservation of local fisheries and marine habitats for future generations. Besides the Release the East initiative, they are working on oyster and clam bed restoration, and the CCA Florida Youth Scholarship Program. To see more about Mud Hole’s participation in these conservation programs, go check them out here at: https://mudhole.com/blogs/news/cca-mud-hole-launch-release-east.
