Saltwater
Freshwater
Research and Support
- P.R. Bass Marine Fisheries Research Center
- Heart of the Hills Fisheries Science Center
- Analytical Services Laboratory
Volunteer Opportunities
CCA Marine Development Center
The CCA Marine Development Center in Corpus Christi is the first state-operated hatchery and visitor center, and is one of the best kept secrets in Texas. The hatchery produces juvenile (30 millimeter) red drum and spotted seatrout for releasing into Texas bays for stock enhancement. To find out more about hatchery operations and visit the facility for a tour.
Education Programs
- Tours
- CCA Redfish Hatchery Project -- curriculum developed for fifth grade students
- Kidfish Events -- scheduled for youth groups ages 17 and under
- Angler Education

The tour starts at the Visitor's Center in the Ben F. Vaughan Building. In this building, eight saltwater aquariums depicting different habitats along the Texas coast are available for viewing. A tour guide provides information on the history of the hatchery and current aquaculture techniques used to rear red drum and spotted seatrout. From the visitor's center tours follow the progression of culture activities that start in the three-thousand-gallon saltwater spawning tanks. The massive broodfish (adult fish) are induced to spawn eggs by controlling the temperature of the water and the lighting above the tanks. Next, the tour moves through the incubator room for viewing of the fish eggs and larvae, and concludes at the outdoor rearing ponds.
The partnership that makes it work
Three conservation-minded groups helped by the Sport Fish Restoration Act joined forces to form a unique public-private partnership to make this hatchery a reality. The Gulf Coast Conservation Association (new designation Coastal Conservation Association, CCA), Central Power and Light Company (new designation American Electric Power), and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department committed to enhance red drum and spotted seatrout populations in Texas coastal waters.

Even Mother Nature needs a helping hand
In the 1970's, red drum populations had reached an all-time low. Recognizing this decline, the
partnership opened the hatchery in 1982, and the first stocking of red drum into Texas bays
occurred in the spring of 1983.
Today, red drum and spotted seatrout populations are stable in
response to TPWD's coastal management plan. Fulfilling its mission, the CCA Marine Development Center continues to produce quality sport-fish species for
stocking Texas bays to manage effects
on recruitment from habitat degradation causing environmental changes, natural
catastrophe's and
fishing pressure on the species.
The CCA Marine Development Center is located at 4300 Waldron Road in Corpus Christi, Texas. To reach the hatchery, take SH 358 (South Padre Island Drive) off I37 and proceed south to the end of the island. Take a right on Waldron Road and drive about 4 miles to the Barney Davis Power Plant Station.
ADMISSION FREEDONATIONS ACCEPTED
Tour times are M-F at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and Sat at 2:00 p.m. Tours of the hatchery last approximately one hour and are available by appointment only. Please call (361) 939-7784 or email ashley.fincannon@tpwd.texas.gov.