Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) of Louisiana, Phillips 66 Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex, Building Conservation Trust (the National Habitat Program of CCA), the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and DLS Energy will begin construction on an expansion to the Brad Vincent Reef in Calcasieu Lake next week. A media site visit will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Calcasieu Point Landing, weather permitting.
This will be the first enhancement to the original Brad Vincent reef, constructed by CCA and conservation partners in 2012 in memory of Lake Charles area conservationist Brad Vincent. The original project created roughly 6 acres of reef habitat in mid-Calcasieu Lake that has become a popular hot spot for Big Lake anglers. The expansion project will consist of another 2,000 tons of limestone or crushed concrete spread over 3 to 4 acres adjacent to the original reef.
Enhancement of this reef will support a variety of marine life, including oysters, crustaceans and small baitfish. These species serve as forage to sportfish like redfish, speckled trout, flounder and others, making this new habitat a perfect spot for Louisiana anglers. The new, larger reef footprint will provide additional opportunity for anglers to enjoy. The reef’s central location in Calcasieu Lake makes it easily reachable from numerous area marinas and landings.
“Phillips 66 sees this reef project as a long-term investment in our community. By partnering with the Coastal Conservation Association to support a sustainable and enhanced marine habitat on Calcasieu Lake, we can improve lives where we live and work,” said Richard G. Harbison, Phillips 66 Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex Manager.
This project marks the first collaboration between CCA Louisiana and Phillips 66 and the fourth reef project completed by CCA in Calcasieu Lake. In 2003, CCA built Turner’s Bay Reef, followed by the Brad Vincent Reef in 2012. In 2017, CCA Louisiana completed “Big Jack’s Reef” in southern Big Lake, in memory of conservation legend Jack Lawton, Sr. The Vincent Reef expansion will be the 23rd artificial reef project overall to be built by CCA Louisiana across the state. In total, CCA has constructed more than $8 million in marine habitat projects on the Louisiana coast in recent years.
Funding for the project will be provided through CCA’s Building Conservation Trust, Phillips 66 Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex and LDWF‘s Artificial Reef Development Fund. In-kind materials and services will be provided by DLS Energy. Continued support of CCA Louisiana’s habitat program is provided by the Paul Candies Family.
Media members are invited to attend the site visit at 11am on Tuesday, July 17. Boats will be available for viewing of the reef installation and project leaders will be available for interviews.
About CCA Louisiana
In its 35th year, CCA Louisiana is the largest marine resource conservation group of its kind in the state. With more than 30,000 members and volunteers in 29 local chapters, CCA has been active in state, national and international fisheries management issues since 1977. Visit www.CCALouisiana.com for more information.
The Building Conservation Trust (BCT) was founded in 2013 as the national marine habitat program of Coastal Conservation Association. BCT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization exclusively dedicated to providing funding for local, state and national fisheries, habitat conservation and restoration projects. BCT has created a model for the successful collaboration of business, non-profit organizations and government agencies to revitalize critical habitat and establish a vibrant foundation for the marine ecosystem.