New Gulf Reef Fish Conservation Program Announced

Return ‘Em Right aims to increase survival rates of released reef fish

With summer snapper season right around the corner, a new program is launching across the Gulf of Mexico to teach anglers how to properly return deep water fish.

Return ‘Em Right aims to educate recreational fishing enthusiasts on how to increase the survival rates of reef fish released back into the water. This is important to help ensure that Gulf of Mexico fisheries populations remain sustainable and accessible.

Reef fish are susceptible to barotrauma, an injury caused by the rapid change in pressure as they are reeled in. Return ‘Em Right seeks to educate Gulf anglers on barotrauma, share ways to help fish that are suffering from the injury and how to safely release affected fish to the water.

The campaign is asking the sportfishing community to visit their website to review best practices to protect fish from barotrauma and to register as a campaign partner. Registered partners will receive a 15-minute review of ways to help affected fish and a gift package that includes descending devices to help fish return to the deep.

“According to studies, for every 10 million federally-managed reef fish released annually, one million will die upon returning to the water,” said Martha Guyas, ASA’s Southeast Fisheries Policy director. “This important campaign will teach best practices about how to safely return fish to the water and by doing so, ensure that fisheries remain abundant.” Guyas added that some items included within the partner gift packages are manufactured by ASA members.

Return ‘Em Right is funded by the Deepwater Horizon Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group, a restoration project created in response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Gulf oil spill.