Return Em’ Right

Overview

Return ‘Em Right is a Gulf-wide initiative dedicated to increasing the survival of reef fish that are caught and released. By educating and equipping anglers with best practices and effective release gear, the program helps ensure more fish return safely to depth—supporting healthier fish populations and more rewarding fishing experiences.

Launched in 2022, Return ‘Em Right is a collaborative effort led by Florida Sea Grant and the University of Florida, in partnership with the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, NOAA, and a broad coalition of anglers, industry groups, state agencies, academic institutions, and conservation organizations. Together, they share a common goal: to sustain healthy reef fish stocks and preserve access to world-class fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.

Return ‘Em Right provides free training and release gear to recreational anglers across the Gulf, empowering them to take part in fishery conservation each time they drop a line. The focus is on increasing the use of descending devices and other safe release practices that significantly improve the chances of survival for reef fish suffering from barotrauma.

In addition to angler education, the program supports scientific studies to better understand and reduce release mortality and depredation, monitors the effectiveness of descending devices, and documents improvements in fish survival. Outreach and community engagement further help build a culture of conservation within the recreational fishing community. These combined efforts help more fish survive post-release, ultimately enhancing the resilience of reef fish populations and maintaining quality fishing experiences for generations to come.

Since its launch, Return ‘Em Right has seen strong participation and enthusiasm from the Gulf fishing community. The early success of the program highlights a shared commitment among anglers to reduce catch-and-release mortality and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the fishery. The 2024 Program Report outlines key milestones and positive outcomes achieved so far. It also underscores the belief that meaningful change is possible—but only with continued angler support and engagement. The program team looks forward to continuing this journey with the angling community in the years ahead.

The program addresses the significant damage to reef fish populations caused by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which resulted in the loss of trillions of fish larvae—translating into millions or even billions of fish that never reached maturity. The spill also caused lasting impacts on the health of juvenile and adult reef fish, as well as disruptions to reef fish communities and habitats across the Gulf.

Reef fish play a vital role in the Gulf’s recreational, commercial, and ecological systems. Return ‘Em Right is helping to restore and protect these important species through angler-led conservation, working to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of Gulf fisheries.