Coastal Conservation Association South Carolina

Coastal Conservation Association South Carolina Dedicated to the health and conservation of the Palmetto State’s marine resources and recreational angler's access to them.

08/21/2026

The weekend is coming...act like it.

There’s been a lot of conversation around the red snapper EFPs—and a lot of reminders to leave a public comment.But what...
08/18/2026

There’s been a lot of conversation around the red snapper EFPs—and a lot of reminders to leave a public comment.

But what actually happens after you hit “submit”? How are those comments reviewed, and what makes one meaningful?

We’re taking a closer look at the process and what public comment really means.

Comments on the red snapper EFPs are open through August 25.

If you have something to say, don’t just have an opinion. Put it on the record.

08/13/2026

For more than 15 years, oysters have been a cornerstone of CCA South Carolina’s habitat work. Since 2009, we've invested in oyster reef restoration because healthy reefs mean cleaner water, stronger shorelines, and better habitat for the fish we all love to catch. These incredible ecosystem engineers have helped drive conservation success across our coastal waters. Together with volunteers and partners, we’re creating a healthier future for South Carolina’s coastal resources, one reef at a time. 

Give this "Habitat Throw Back" project in the Stono River from last year a view. And remember Habitat today equals fish tomorrow. 🦪🌊

A pretty cool stop by members of the CCA SC state board in Bluffton recently.We had the chance to visit SCDNR’s Waddell ...
08/10/2026

A pretty cool stop by members of the CCA SC state board in Bluffton recently.

We had the chance to visit SCDNR’s Waddell Mariculture Center and get a behind-the-scenes look at some of the work happening to support South Carolina’s fisheries.

Waddell is one of the country’s leading facilities for mariculture research, where SCDNR scientists raise and study marine species to better understand what it takes to support healthy wild populations.

One of the newest projects underway is especially interesting: southern flounder.

SCDNR is raising flounder from wild broodstock in specialized tanks as part of an effort to explore stock enhancement for a species that has faced significant declines along our coast.

And raising a flatfish is no simple task. Flounder need specialized tank designs, feeding protocols and bottom conditions—and researchers are using genetic testing to help maintain the diversity found in wild populations.

This work may happen behind the scenes, but it matters out on the water.

And getting to see it up close? Pretty darn cool.

07/31/2026

Last week we joined our partners at South Carolina Department of Natural Resources on the water and in the lab to document the next phase of the with Justin Hodge behind the lens.
From retrieving acoustic receivers to downloading data from tagged fish, every step brings us closer to understanding how South Carolina’s red drum move, where they spend their time, and which habitats matter most.

This three-year collaboration is the largest fisheries research project CCA South Carolina has ever funded. After a year of deploying equipment and beginning to tag fish in Charleston Harbor and Winyah Bay, the data is now starting to tell its story.

Stay tuned—we’ll be sharing more from the Roaming Redfish Project as the research continues!

07/24/2026

August and September are peak spawning months for red drum, and our bull reds are hard at work producing the next generation.

SCDNR reminds us to give these adult fish a little break from fishing pressure. They’ll still be here in October when the water cools and spawning season ends.

For decades, CCA South Carolina and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources have partnered on projects that l...
07/20/2026

For decades, CCA South Carolina and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources have partnered on projects that leave a lasting impact on our coast—from oyster reef restoration and shell recycling to artificial reef deployments and, most recently, the Roaming Redfish Project.

Different organizations. One shared mission: healthier fisheries, better habitat, and more opportunities for anglers today and for future generations.

What happens after a redfish is tagged?Each fish receives a small acoustic transmitter that emits a unique signal. As th...
07/16/2026

What happens after a redfish is tagged?

Each fish receives a small acoustic transmitter that emits a unique signal. As that fish swims along the coast, underwater acoustic receivers stationed throughout South Carolina’s estuaries listen for those signals and record when each tagged fish passes by.

Over time, those detections reveal movement patterns that conventional tagging simply can’t capture—showing where red drum travel, how often they move between estuaries, and which habitats are most important throughout their lives.

Every tagged fish adds another piece to the puzzle, helping build a stronger understanding of South Carolina’s red drum population and supporting smarter fisheries management for years to come.

This is the mission of the Roaming Redfish Project.

Not all fish tags tell the whole story.For years, conventional tags have helped fisheries researchers learn about red dr...
07/13/2026

Not all fish tags tell the whole story.

For years, conventional tags have helped fisheries researchers learn about red drum—but they depend on one thing: someone catching that fish again and reporting the tag. If that never happens, the fish’s journey remains a mystery.

That’s where the Roaming Redfish Project changes the game.

By using acoustic telemetry, researchers can track the movements of tagged red drum as they pass underwater listening stations along the coast—without relying on recapture.

Every detection helps paint a clearer picture of where redfish travel, how they use different habitats, and how connected South Carolina’s estuaries really are.

Understanding their movements today helps us make better conservation and management decisions for tomorrow.

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3021-10 McNaughton Drive
Columbia, SC
29223

Telephone

+18038654164

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