If you fish the Guana, Tolomato, and Matanzas estuary, you already know what makes these waters special. From chasing redfish and trout in the backwaters to targeting flounder and other species along the Intracoastal Waterway, this estuary is a critical nursery and feeding ground for the fish that make Northeast Florida’s recreational fisheries so incredible.

But our fishery is under pressure. Pollution, damaging boat wakes, and continued development are taking a toll on the shallow-water habitats that fish depend on. It’s not one single threat, it’s death by a thousand cuts situation. When we lose oyster reefs, marshes, and other productive habitats, we lose places for fish to feed, grow, and reproduce. Healthy habitat means healthy fisheries, and healthy fisheries mean better fishing. 

That’s why Matanzas Riverkeeper is launching Casting for Conservation, a program built specifically to get local anglers involved in protecting the waters and fish they care about.

Through hands-on restoration projects, scientific data collection, and volunteer opportunities, anglers can play a direct role in improving the health of our estuary and safeguarding our local fisheries for the future.