Return ‘Em Right, an angler-led program designed to help caught fish survive after release, is expanding its reach into the South Atlantic.
The initiative is now offering free release gear and short educational modules to saltwater reef fish anglers across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and the east coast of Florida.
The expansion aims to lower discard mortality—the rate at which fish die after being returned to the water—by equipping anglers to recognize and treat barotrauma, a condition caused by rapid pressure changes when deep-water fish are brought to the surface.
The program originally built its model working with recreational fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico.
“Thanks to the tremendous response from Gulf anglers, Return ‘Em Right has grown into a model for achieving meaningful conservation outcomes through education, outreach and the distribution of practical tools,” said Nicholas Haddad, program director for Return ‘Em Right. “Expanding into the South Atlantic is a natural next step.”
Program leaders point to growing recreational fishing activity throughout the Southeast as a key driver for bringing the initiative to Atlantic waters, where many of the same target species and fishing methods are used.
“Anglers throughout the Southeast share many of the same fisheries, fishing practices and conservation values,” Haddad said. “By expanding access to training and gear, we’re helping build a stronger conservation ethic and ensuring more anglers have the resources they need to release fish the right way.”
To qualify for the free release equipment—which includes descending devices that carry fish back down to depth so their bodies can safely recompress—anglers complete a brief training course online.
Eligible anglers can access the training and request release gear by visiting returnemright.org.
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