Who We Are

Founded on the shores of Boca Grande, Gulf Conservation Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with our roots deeply embedded in the commitment to safeguard the ecological integrity of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to implement effective policies that protect these vital waters. We take pride in the accolades we have garnered, which reflect our unwavering dedication. Feel free to explore our journey through engaging visuals and stories.

Your voice matters, and we encourage you to express it authentically. In a vast sea of information, your unique perspective is what distinguishes our mission. If the words resonate with your values and vision, you are on the right path.

Our Story

The Gulf Conservation Alliance (GCA) was established in response to growing concerns about the health of the Charlotte Harbor fishery and ecosystem. Founded by a group of dedicated anglers, guides and concerned citizens, the organization emerged from the need to address issues like habitat degradation, fisheries management and the impacts of increasing human population in the region. The GCA's mission centers on protecting and restoring vital marine and coastal ecosystems through advocacy, research, and community engagement. Over time, it has expanded its efforts to include, public education, and collaborative projects with the local community and other organizations, striving to ensure the long-term health and resilience of Charlotte Harbor’s diverse and unique environments.

Our Mission

Our purpose is to protect and preserve the Charlotte Harbor/Pine Island Sound Estuary System. The culturally and economically important fishery that depends upon this ecosystem is under threat, and new conservation measures are urgently needed to arrest its rapid state of decline. Our goal is to recover this once quality fishery, and to protect a healthy estuary for our angling, economic and recreational future. The largest concentration of tarpon in the world gathers in and near Boca Grande Pass to feed and build strength before heading offshore to spawn. Our increasing presence in their migratory journey has raised the bar of our responsibilities. Our members will work diligently and unwaveringly for the best interests of our fishery and estuary system.

Our Executive Team

PARKER O’BANNON
President

Parker is a 6th generation Floridian born and raised in Boca Grande. He follows in the footsteps of 100 years of notable O’Bannon guides spanning a history of 4 generations, who have lived in the Charlotte Harbor, Pine Island Sound area. His passion for the fish and game he pursues and the environments of which they live clearly resonates through his work as a guide. Parker has been fishing for tarpon in Boca Grande beginning in his early childhood, catching his first on fly at the age of 12. As a graduate of the University of Florida, he has an unyielding respect for the environment and the outdoors. Growing up in Boca Grande, he has deeply felt the changes to the area and the fishing. As a response to these rapidly increasing changes he became one of founding members of the Gulf Conservation Alliance. He believes that it is not too late to reverse the negative impacts being put on the fishery and that it can be re-built piece by piece.

ZEKE SIEGLAFF
Vice President

Zeke grew up in Wilmington, Delaware and was educated at the Holderness School in Plymouth, New Hampshire and graduated with a BA in history from Denison University in Granville, Ohio. Annual vacations to Boca Grande began at the age of two. During a visit in 1992 to Boca Grande he caught his first saltwater fish on a fly on his first cast, a 125 pound Tarpon. Shortly thereafter Zeke relocated to Boca Grande and earned his real estate license, helping his father Peter open a real estate office on the Island. Zeke spent countless hours learning the waters of Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound with the goal of pursuing a guiding career. Mentored by Capt. Phil O’Bannon greatly aided the learning curve and he became a licensed captain in 1994, with a heavy focus on flyfishing. In 1997, Zeke and his wife Tory founded Boca Grande Outfitters and grew the business into an island institution. His son and daughter were born and raised on Boca Grande. Zeke and Tory have spent time on various boards, including the Boca Grande Child Care Center and the Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce. Zeke and Tory left the Island in 2007 to pursue a larger retail opportunity in Philadelphia. After a successful 10 year run, they sold the business and followed their hearts back to where it all began. Upon his return, Zeke returned to real estate, guiding for Tarpon, and for three years he managed two fly fishing mothership’s operating in Louisiana, the Everglades, Florida Keys and Andros, Bahamas. Witnessing the increased traffic on the water, combined with decreasing water quality and its’ subsequent effect on the fishery has inspired him to get involved and do whatever it takes to improve the current state of our watershed.

HUNTER BROWN
Secretary

Capt. Hunter Brown was born and raised in Southwest Florida. At age 19, Hunter began his career as a fly fishing and light tackle guide in the Boca Grande/Charlotte Harbor area while also pursuing his education. Hunter attended Vanderbilt University, where he earned a BA in Economics and Anthropology. Upon graduation, Hunter continued guiding and, in 2021, founded Marquesa Marine, a marine components and advanced composites company.
Capt. Hunter is a passionate conservationist who strives to educate his clients on the challenges facing his fishery and the natural world of Southwest Florida. When Hunter is not on the water or in the shop, he can be found spot and stalk archery hunting in the fall and calling turkeys in the spring.