Shell, Jefferson Parish, LDWF partner with CCA to honor legendary angler and conservationist.
On Tuesday, June 13, Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana, along with conservation partners Shell, Jefferson Parish, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and CCA’s Building Conservation Trust will begin construction on an inshore artificial reef. The project, to be built in Hackberry Bay near Lafitte, will be named “Theophile’s Reef” in honor of legendary Louisiana angler and conservation leader Captain Theophile Bourgeois.
CCA’s Westbank Chapter and Jefferson Parish worked together on the decision to honor Bourgeois with this project. Bourgeois was a beloved family man, a successful charter operator of the world-renowned Bourgeois Charters, an influential conservationist and a longtime supporter of CCA and other important coastal initiatives. He died tragically in 2019 during a seaplane accident. Bourgeois was recognized for his heroic actions during the incident which led to the survival of his passengers.
“Theophile’s Reef” will be built in an old fishing hotspot in Hackberry Bay where oyster habitat has been degraded in recent years. It will consist of roughly 1400 tons of limestone spread in a 2-acre site, and will create new habitat for oysters, redfish, trout and other marine species. If history is any indication, the reef will begin supporting marine life shortly after deployment and should become a favorite destination for area anglers in the coming years.
Funding for the project is provided by CCA’s Building Conservation Trust, Shell and Jefferson Parish along with matching funds from LDWF’s Artificial Reef Trust Fund. “Theophile’s Reef” will be the 5th project completed by CCA in the past 5 weeks, and the 46th CCA reef overall. Recent projects include the Finfish II Reef in Big Lake (April), the Jacob Meek Reef in South Timbalier 165 (May), the South Timbalier 77 Reef (May), the Pickets Reef Expansion in Ship Shoal 26 (May) and the South Marsh Island 235 Reef (June).
A dedication ceremony for “Theophile’s Reef” will be held on Tuesday, June 13, at 10am at Bourgeois Charters in Lafitte, LA. Friends and family will be joined by officials from CCA, Shell, Jefferson Parish, the Town of Lafitte and LDWF to dedicate the reef. Media members are invited to join us for the dedication ceremony followed by a short boat trip to the reef construction site.
For more information, contact CCA’s David Cresson at 255-952-9200