2024 PROGRAM REPORT
STRONGER TOGETHER: A THANK YOU TO THE RETURN ‘EM RIGHT COMMUNITY
VISION GOALS
This year, we want to focus on giving a heartfelt thank you to the Return ‘Em Right community — to all the anglers, supporters, and partners who have made this journey possible!
When we launched Return ‘Em Right in 2022, we didn’t know what to expect from the fishing community. We knew that anglers are the true conservationists of our waters, and like us, they hate seeing fish float off and die after a release. Less than three years later, we’ve reached a remarkable milestone: providing free training and gear to over 40,000 Gulf anglers!
PARTNERS FUNDING
Core project partners include Florida Sea Grant, University of Florida, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, NOAA Restoration Center and a coalition of anglers, industry groups, state agencies, universities, government, and non-governmental organizations committed to maintaining healthy fish stocks and fishing access in the Gulf.
This $30 million, eight-year project is funded by Deepwater Horizon Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group as part of the 2019 Open Ocean Restoration Plan. Reef fish species were substantially harmed by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill - Return ‘Em Right helps support their restoration. For full funding information please visit returnemright.org/about-us/
The positive response we’ve received has only strengthened our commitment to promoting sustainable fishing practices and better release techniques offshore. Our ultimate goal is healthier fisheries, ensuring that future generations — our kids, grandkids, and beyond — can enjoy the same resources we cherish today.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way. We are excited to continue working together to strengthen local fishing communities and promote responsible fishing for years to come.
Tight lines, The Return ‘Em Right Team
EARN ANOTHER FIGHT returnemright.org
GROWING IMPACT
IN 2024, 12,169 NEW RECREATIONAL ANGLERS AND 307 CHARTER CAPTAINS PARTICIPATED IN OUR TRAINING PROGRAM.
EXPANDING OUR IMPACT: RETURN ’EM RIGHT LAUNCHES SPANISH EDUCATION MODULE TO REACH MORE ANGLERS
The Return ‘Em Right team developed and launched a Spanish education module in early 2024 to more effectively communicate best release practices to a broader audience, welcoming the significant number of
-RICHARDO
DE SANTIAGO, LAKELAND, FL
“All
the equipment works very well; I am satisfied.”
ASSESSING GEAR USE AND PROGRAM IMPACT YOUR VOICE MATTERS
Return ‘Em Right distributed follow-up surveys six months after sending out gear, and angler feedback was essential in improving the program and strengthening our connection with the fishing community.
WHAT WE’VE LEARNED
report being extremely satisfied with the gear package. 93%
84% 92% 78%
3%
prefer to use a descending device to release reef fish, while only 12% prefer venting.
already have or are willing to buy descending devices on their own.
have lost fish to sharks or other predators while reeling the fish in.
SUCCESS THROUGH COLLABORATION
By bringing together anglers, natural resource experts, and industry leaders, the program fostered a shared commitment to responsible release practices. This spirit of collaboration not only amplified the program’s reach but also strengthened a unified dedication to marine conservation across the Gulf community.
DIGITAL MEDIA THE POWER OF
57,000 new website users
Reached over 1.6 million people on Facebook and InstagramRER’s most successful year to date. 160,000 YouTube views and over 2,000 hours watched.
1.6M 160K 57K 1.8M 500K
MARCUS DRYMON
RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT: DO PREDATORS
TARGET FISH ON DESCENDING DEVICES?
BACKGROUND:
Return ‘Em Right funded a Mississippi State University study to answer the question, “How much predation occurs on descended fishes across the Gulf?”
METHODS:
Charter captains collected data on their typical fishing trips by descending fish using SeaQualizers and GoFish Cameras. Information on species, depredation, predators observed, and other data was collected across each region of the Gulf. Descent videos were then reviewed and assessed to identify depredation events and the species responsible.
CATCH, TAG AND RELEASE
Return ‘Em Right partners with state programs to tag reef fish during for-hire fishing trips and to evaluate venting and descending usage.
614 1,488 8,501 8,955
trips in 2024 had observers present. vessels were sampled through dockside surveys. reef fish were tagged and released.
Southeast Region Headboat Survey trips recorded information on venting and descending.
Click or scan to play
Depredation on Descenders
KEY RESULTS:
987 descents of 20 different species were recorded on video
3 descended fish were eaten off the descending device, all from sharks in Louisiana
The overall rate of depredation on descent was less than 1%
