"CCA is very disappointed by the decision of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to disallow catch and release fishing in closed areas, " says David Cresson, CCA Louisiana Executive Director.  "We have been supportive of the Department's determinations regarding fishing closures throughout this ordeal, but we simply cannot support this action to keep anglers off the water."

CCA representatives attended the Commission meeting Thursday and publicly supported Secretary Robert Barham's ruling to allow catch and release.  "We heard the other arguments of support and those against, and we just cannot comprehend how the Commission ruled the way they did."

"While we understand that catch and release was not necessarily the answer to all our problems, it would have been a positive step towards recovery.  Opening areas to catch and release fishing could have attracted fishermen to the coast and would have been beneficial to businesses that depend heavily on recreational anglers," said Cresson. "Now, instead of seeing fishermen this weekend, local marina owners, bait shops and tackle shops may be closing their doors."