CCA Florida Executive Director Brian Gorski, left, and Mud Hole Custom Tackle President Brook Oliva, right, kick off "Release the East" in Cocoa Beach with the first batch of juvenile redfish to be released in November.
November 22, 2022
By Press Release
In its continued dedication to support the health of local fisheries and ecosystems, Mud Hole Custom Tackle , again, joined Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Florida and the Duke Energy Mariculture Center for the release of over 15,000 redfish at Ramp Road Park as part of the East Coast Redfish Restocking Initiative: “Release the East.” Last week’s release was the culmination of years of planning and activities, all in an effort to reestablish and grow the redfish population in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon.
Nearly 100 volunteers joined in Brevard county to release 15,000 hatchery-reared, juvenile (averaging 4 to 6 inches) redfish. Photos provided by CCA Florida. “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.”
Release the East is an extension of CCA Florida and the Duke Energy Mariculture Center’s successful West Coast redfish restocking program, an initiative focused on revitalizing the declining redfish populations along Florida’s East Coast. Friday’s release of more than 15,000 juvenile fish in the Indian River Lagoon was just the beginning, as at least 100,000 redfish are planned to be released throughout the month.
A few days after the initial release in Broward County, 6,000 additional redfish were released to the south in St. Lucie County. Photos provided by CCA Florida. “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.”
Approximately 100,000 redfish are planned to be released throughout the month. Photos provided by CCA Florida. From the Release the East initiative, oyster and clam bed restoration efforts and the CCA Florida Youth Scholarship Program (introduced in 2022), the Mud Hole Custom Tackle and CCA Florida partnership continues to focus on ensuring the health and preservation of local fisheries and marine habitats for future generations. For more information about Mud Hole’s participation in the Release the East program, go to: https://mudhole.com/blogs/news/cca-mud-hole-launch-release-east .
