Our
Program
About
Return ‘Em Right aims to increase survival of reef fish that are caught and released in the Gulf and South Atlantic.
Project partners include Florida Sea Grant, University of Florida, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, NOAA, and a coalition of anglers, industry groups, state agencies, universities, government and non-government organizations committed to maintaining healthy fish stocks and fishing access in the Gulf and South Atlantic.
The project will provide free training to all and low-cost gear to eligible anglers with the goal of improving reef fish survival to benefit the health of the fishery. Other aspects of the project include funding studies to address depredation and release mortality concerns, as well as monitoring descending device effectiveness to document improved survival of fish. These efforts will help increase the number of fish returned to depth safely and provide improved fishing experiences for anglers.
Mission
Improve reef fish survival by equipping anglers with the knowledge and gear to confidently and successfully release reef fish.
Vision
Foster a lasting community of anglers committed to supporting fishery health.
Impact
The initial success of Return ‘Em Right since its launch in May 2022 within the Gulf fishing community indicates a strong angler commitment to reducing catch and release mortality. Our ongoing efforts to educate anglers have only just begun, and we see the potential to cultivate a culture where best release practices are embraced everywhere. However, achieving this goal is not feasible without your support. We eagerly anticipate continuing this journey with the angling community in the years ahead.
This 2024 Program Report highlights the achieved milestones and positive outcomes in our mission to enhance reef fish survival. By providing anglers with the knowledge needed for the confident and successful release of reef fish, we are making significant strides toward our goal.
