Florida Sea Grant and the University of Florida announced that Return ’Em Right gear distribution is resuming following a temporary pause that began in May.
All orders completed since May 16 will be backfilled chronologically, and processing has begun to ensure timely delivery. The project is committed to efficiently fulfilling outstanding orders.
Return ’Em Right gives anglers the knowledge to confidently and successfully release reef fish caught in the Gulf of Mexico, reducing barotrauma mortality. Partners include Florida Sea Grant, University of Florida, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, NOAA and a coalition of anglers, industry groups, state agencies, universities, and government and non-government organizations committed to maintaining healthy fish stocks and fishing access in the Gulf.
The project provides free training and gear to Gulf anglers to help improve the survival of reef fish and benefit the fishery. The project also funds studies to address depredation and release mortality, as well as monitoring descending device effectiveness to document improved fish survival. These efforts help increase the number of fish that get back to depth safely, and provide improved fishing experiences for anglers.
The $30 million project was selected and funded by the Deepwater Horizon Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group as part of the 2019 Open Ocean Restoration Plan. Reef fish are recreationally, commercially and ecologically important to the Gulf, but were substantially harmed by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Trillions of fish larvae were killed, and that likely resulted in the loss of millions of fish that would have reached a year old. The spill also negatively impacted juvenile and adult reef fish.
The initial success of Return ’Em Right since its May 2022 launch indicates a strong angler commitment to reducing catch-and-release mortality. Efforts to educate anglers have only just begun, and the program recognizes the potential to cultivate a culture in the Gulf that prioritizes fish survival. However, achieving this goal is not feasible without support, and Return ’Em Right anticipates continuing this journey with the angling community in the years ahead.
