CCA January Meeting

The Coastal Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is the focus of CCA of Skidaway’s January meeting and seminar. The meeting will be held Monday, January 13, at St. Peter’s Church beginning at 7 p.m. The speakers are Doug Haymans, head of the Coastal Resource Division, and Paul Medders, Unit Leader Artificial Reefs, Habitat Restoration and Public Access.

Haymans and Medders will talk about their overall responsibilities at the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), focusing on the agency’s partnership with CCA. They also will discuss the impact of the “fishing habitat” license plate, which has generated more than $250K in its first 18 months, as well as present video of the scuttling of the 74’ pilot boat Bill Brown.

The Coastal Resources Division (CRD) of the DNR has primary responsibility for managing Georgia's marshes, beaches, and marine fishery resources. Based in Brunswick, CRD administers permitting programs under the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act and Shore Protection Act, issues revocable licenses for the use of state-owned water bottoms, monitors coastal water quality, and manages shellfish harvest areas.

Haymans has been with CRD for more than 17 years, serving most recently as coordinator for policy, outreach, and communications, and representing Georgia on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Earlier in his career, he supervised boating/fishing access and habitat development, served as a commercial fishing liaison, and coordinated special projects such as the Peach State Reds Initiative. He worked as a fisheries biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before employment with CRD. Haymans holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Georgia and is a graduate of Leadership Glynn and the Institute of Georgia Environmental Leadership.

Medders heads the division that oversees Georgia’s inshore and offshore reefs that provide habitat for recreationally, commercially, and ecologically important finfish and other animals. These reefs enhance and support local and regional fisheries management efforts, increasing the accessibility of great locations to catch fish and scuba dive. Also, he handles marine habitat restoration, which is important for economic and ecological reasons. Oysters enhance water quality. Their reefs protect shorelines by buffering wave action adjacent to marshes, and they are harvested and marketed by commercial fishermen.

The January raffle will give attendees a chance to win a saltwater rod-and-reel combo.

CCA is a nonprofit organization with chapters on the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf Coasts. For more information about CCA of Skidaway, call Joe Tyson (598-8765). For more information about CCA’s Georgia District, call Tom Rood (598-9753). For information about January’s meeting and seminar, call Dave Devore (330-329-6457). Area residents are invited to attend the CCA of Skidaway meetings and seminars held on the second Monday of the month at St. Peter’s Church.