Stocking Up

Wherever we are in life’s journey, it is a good idea from time to time to stop for a moment and take stock of our situation. However, at the Skidaway Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), we do the reverse. Instead of taking stock, we put stock in feeder fish.

To help our largemouth bass, America’s favorite gamefish, to achieve “lunker” size in the freshwater lagoons throughout our island, volunteers from the Skidaway Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) recently gathered for our annual fish stocking event.

Headed by Lagoon Committee Chair Jeff Harper, this month, we added more than 48,000 bait-sized threadfin shad and small bluegills to lagoons where earlier seining and electrofishing projects had assessed the need for additional bait fish stocking. The goal is to help create a “balanced lagoon,” characterized by a healthy distribution of bass and bluegill over a wide range of sizes and age classes.

“We are pleased that our fishery management efforts, which also include shoreline and aquatic planting, have, year over year, helped to improve the fishing quality of our lagoons significantly,” notes Skidaway CCA chapter president, Dave Devore. “What we’ve seen this spring, so far, points to points to excellent fishing as our waters warm up. All of our programs are 100 percent funded by donations from our island supporters, and I want to thank all of you for your support.”

Once again, our stocking program benefitted from a generous donation from island resident and Omelette House restaurants owner Jeff Wong. He joined CCA fish stocking volunteers and provided the traditional Buddhist blessing given when fish are released. In Buddhism, fish symbolize complete freedom of movement in the water as well as fertility and abundance.

Community donations fund all CCA activities, and all money is spent locally. You can mail your tax-deductible check (in any amount) made payable to Skidaway Island CCA Chapter to CCA Skidaway Treasurer Jerry Thompson (2 Periwinkle Lane, Savannah, Georgia,31411). You also can donate through Pay Pal or by credit card by visiting ccaga.org/skidaway-island-chapter/ and clicking on the yellow “Donate” button, located near the bottom of the page.

Jeff Wong, left, presents a $500 check for fish stocking to CCA Lagoon Committee Chair Jeff Harper.