by Dr. Paul Anderson
Director, Aquarium Fisheries
This Fall, Aquarium Fisheries and partners Mystic Aquarium and the Florida Marine Life Association (FMLA) officially launched FloridaReefFish, an initiative designed to strengthen Florida’s iconic marine life fishery through education, engagement, and collaboration. Sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, FloridaReefFish aims to combine education, one-on-one engagement, and shared problem-solving to help fishers reduce losses, increase profitability, and contribute to healthy reef ecosystems through responsible harvest and care.
The launch took place beneath a thatched Tiki hut at Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters in Marathon, where twenty fishers gathered—the FMLA’s largest turnout in years. For many, it was their first chance to meet face-to-face with the FloridaReefFish team and talk about the challenges and opportunities facing their industry today. Over barbecue and conversation, new connections were made, and trust began to grow—the foundation on which the program will build.
The FloridaReefFish program draws from a recent policy analysis (Anderson & Pomeroy, 2023) showing that Florida’s Marine Life fishery ranks among the best-managed aquarium fisheries in the world. But management is only one part of the story. By helping fishers gain access to professional development and practical tools—from animal husbandry and water-quality management to transport optimization and humane handling—FloridaReefFish aims to strengthen businesses, improve animal survival, and support reef conservation across the state.
In the months ahead, the team will conduct a first series of site visits, meeting fishers at their own facilities to identify specific needs and tailor training programs accordingly. Follow-up visits six to nine months later will help track progress in fish health, system efficiency, and business performance.
Ultimately, FloridaReefFish is about lifting up the people who make Florida’s marine life fishery possible. By equipping fishers with practical skills, tailored education, and a stronger voice in the future of their fishery, we aim to empower a workforce that is both resilient and conservation-driven. When fishers are supported, the entire value chain—from reef to aquarium—becomes stronger, healthier, and more sustainable.
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