CCA FLORIDA AND DUKE ENERGY CONTINUE

‘RELEASE THE EAST’ EFFORTS IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA

Orlando, Fla. – April 13, 2023 – Today, Coastal Conservation Association Florida (CCA Florida), the state’s leading organization dedicated to marine fisheries conservation, education, and advocacy, joined the Duke Energy Mariculture Center and Mud Hole Custom Tackle to continue addressing the loss of the redfish population along Florida’s East Coast by releasing 8,000 hatchery-reared, juvenile redfish (about five to nine inches in length) in Jacksonville – completing its Northeast redfish releases.

“We are excited to resume our ‘Release the East’ efforts and finish our Northeast releases in Duval County,” CCA Florida Executive Director Brian Gorski said. “In the past two weeks, in partnership with the Duke Energy Mariculture Center, we have released 20,000 redfish in Palm Coast, St. Augustine and Jacksonville, and we could

Contact: Mary Hillyer Peelen Walther| 407.617.0604 | mhpwalther@ccaflorida.org

About CCA Florida

The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) was founded in 1977 after drastic commercial overfishing along the Texas coast decimated redfish and speckled trout populations. One of 19n state chapters, CCA Florida became the fifth state chapter in 1985. A 501(c)3 nonprofit, the purpose of CCA is to advise and educate the public on conservation of marine resources. Through habitat restoration projects, water quality initiatives and fisheries advocacy, CCA Florida works with its over 18,000 members including recreational anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to conserve and enhance marine resources and coastal environments. Join the conversation on Facebook or not be more proud to continue our commitment to protecting and preserving Florida’s marine resources and revitalizing the redfish population along the East Coast.” learn more at ccaflorida.org.

In recent years, Florida’s redfish population has drastically declined as a result of water quality issues and loss of habitat. To counteract these effects, CCA Florida and the Duke Energy Mariculture Center have taken a proactive approach to habitat restoration, water quality projects as well as restocking one of Florida’s most sought-after inshore fish, the redfish.

This latest release is part of a multifunctional and multiyear strategy to rebuild and maintain game fish stocks. Since 2018, CCA Florida and Duke Energy have released more than 226,000 redfish and spotted seatrout across Florida’s coasts to help provide abundant recreational fishing opportunities.

About Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 30,000 people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts through its regulated utilities, and 3,000 megawatts through its nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit. The Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit’s regulated utilities serve approximately 7.7 million retail electric customers in six states, including Florida.