The IGFA at Project SeaSafe: 4 Million Clams, 5,000 Mangroves, One Mission

The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) took part in this year’s Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective, held April 24–27 in Grant, Florida. Hosted by Star brite and SeaRedwine Preservation, the event united nonprofit organizations, scientists, brands, and community members in a powerful show of environmental stewardship, restoration, and education.

At the event, the IGFA's staff staged a creative, hands-on booth that became one of the weekend’s most popular attractions. Children, families, and anglers gathered to transform collected plastic marine debris into vibrant ocean-themed artwork, learning how simple actions—like picking up trash—can create a ripple effect of positive environmental impact. The IGFA’s education staff also used this opportunity to educate attendees on the importance of responsible angling, marine conservation, and the lifelong rewards of environmental stewardship.

In honor of its long-standing commitment to youth education and ethical fishing practices, the IGFA's  Youth Education Instructor and Ambassador Emily Hanzlik, was presented with a donation from Project SeaSafe to support its conservation and outreach initiatives moving forward. She had this to say about the event,

"Events like the Star bright SeaSafe event are crucial to our environment. We must know that there are never too many events like this, because you will never be able to help too much!"

 

Beyond education, the Project SeaSafe weekend delivered impressive, boots-on-the-ground restoration results. As part of the Billion Clam Initiative, a total of 4 million seed clams were deployed by drone into the Indian River Lagoon. This method not only ensures more efficient seeding but also reduces physical stress on the clams and limits exposure to predators. This latest release adds to the 12.5 million clams already planted in the region, underscoring the project’s scale and impact.

On land, 5,000 red mangrove seedlings were planted to help stabilize shorelines and provide critical nursery habitat for fish and wildlife. Led by New Swell Restoration’s Captain Alex Gorichky, this effort will have lasting benefits for erosion control, biodiversity, and water quality.

Attendees also took part in seeding clams and building oyster vertical gardens, an innovative solution designed to attach to dock pilings and promote the growth of filter-feeding oysters. These structures not only enhance marine habitats but also help purify surrounding waters—each oyster filtering up to 50 gallons of water per day.

The event’s educational element was further amplified through science tents hosted by researchers from Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience. These exhibits gave attendees a deeper understanding of coastal ecosystems, native species, and restoration strategies through interactive learning and live demonstrations.

Content creation was another key pillar of the weekend. The event served as a backdrop for two nationally televised shows—Local Knowledge and Blair Wiggins Outdoors—capturing both the mission and the momentum of the project. In addition, teams produced how-to videos, branded product features, and documentary-style clips that will amplify the conservation message across social platforms and media outlets.

Project SeaSafe also welcomed media personalities and podcasters, with episodes of Connected by Water and To Catch a Memory recorded live onsite, featuring in-depth discussions on fishing ethics, marine restoration, and community action.

The week wasn’t just about action in the field—it was also about investing in people. Star brite Pro Staff members participated in catch-and-release fishing, filming and training sessions to strengthen their roles as conservation ambassadors, aligning them more closely with the SeaSafe mission and equipping them to spread the message in their own communities and digital channels.

Evenings brought everyone together at Old Fish House for seafood dinners, story-sharing, and authentic conversations. These meals served as informal roundtables to reflect on the day’s work and build genuine camaraderie between brand teams, nonprofit staff, and outdoor industry leaders.

To close the weekend, hundreds of volunteers joined forces for a massive beach and shoreline cleanup, removing trash and marine debris from boat ramps, beaches, and access points across the lagoon. It was a fitting end to a weekend centered around collective impact, personal responsibility, and respect for the water.

Together, we accomplished something truly special.

Pairing the collective muscle of  SeaRedwine Preservation, OneWater brands including Star brite, PartsVu, TH Marine and YakGear, with nonprofits like the IGFA and others, helped make the 2025 Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective a resounding success. Through science, service, and shared purpose, this event reinforced the idea that clean water is everyone’s responsibility—and when we work together, real change happens.