Conservation

Protecting what we love

Since the club’s founding in 1941, the Stuart Sailfish Club has led the way in ethical angling practices and marine conservation. We were among the first to reward catch-and-release sailfishing, long before it became a standard, and that commitment still guides us today. From youth education and sustainable tournament formats to partnerships with like-minded organizations, everything we do is anchored in the belief that healthy fisheries are the key to our sport—and our community.
What we Do

The Work Behind the Mission

Conservation isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we practice in every event, program, and partnership. Our goal is to protect the waters we love today so that future generations can enjoy them tomorrow.Here’s how we turn our mission into action:

Catch-and-Release Tournaments

All of our major tournaments, including the iconic Light Tackle Invitational, are designed to protect pelagic species through ethical, all-release formats. Anglers are celebrated not just for what they catch—but for what they let go.

Youth Education & Mentorship

Through junior angler tournaments, school partnerships, and community events, we teach young people about responsible fishing, local ecosystems, and the value of stewardship on and off the water.

Collaborative Conservation

We work with other conservation-focused organizations, agencies, and researchers to support habitat restoration, marine science initiatives, and sustainable fishery practices throughout the Treasure Coast and beyond.

Clubwide Advocacy

Whether it’s encouraging members to reduce bycatch, respect seasonal closures, or follow best practices at sea, we lead by example and promote conservation values within the broader sportfishing community.

The Red Release Pennant Still Flies

In the early years, club captains like Curt Whiticar designed the gold enamel “release button” and later the iconic red release pennant to honor anglers who let their sailfish go. These symbols became a national model for ethical sportfishing and remain part of our tradition to this day.

That legacy lives on in every tournament we host, every junior angler we mentor, and every fish we release. We champion circle hook use, proper handling techniques, and tournament formats that minimize stress on fish and protect spawning populations. Our members know that great fishing and good stewardship go hand in hand—and that releasing a sailfish today ensures someone else can catch it tomorrow.

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Bringing people together through fishing, friendship, and conservation—right here in the Sailfish Capital of the World.
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The Stuart Sailfish Club Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is registered with the State of Florida as required by the Solicitation of Contributions Act (Registration #). Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free (800-435-7352) within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.