The IGFA at Project SeaSafe 2026: Clean Water, Conservation, and the Bouncer Smith Celebrity Inshore Slam

The International Game Fish Association proudly joined conservation leaders, anglers, fishing celebrities, scientists, and community volunteers for the 2026 Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective, held April 17 to 26 in Grant, Florida. Hosted by SeaRedwine Preservation alongside IGFA partner Star brite, this year’s event grew into one of the largest community-driven conservation gatherings on Florida’s East Coast.

New for 2026 was the addition of the Bouncer Smith Celebrity Inshore Slam, a conservation-focused catch, photo, and release tournament designed to highlight the connection between healthy waterways, thriving fisheries, and the outdoor traditions shared by generations of anglers. The tournament used official IGFA measuring devices to validate catches and promote ethical angling practices throughout the competition.

Blending habitat restoration, fishing, science, education, and community involvement, the week demonstrated what can happen when people unite behind a shared conservation mission.

A New Chapter: The Bouncer Smith Celebrity Inshore Slam

One of the most exciting additions to Project SeaSafe this year was the launch of the Bouncer Smith Celebrity Inshore Slam, which brought together families, anglers, guides, and outdoor personalities from across Florida. Named after legendary South Florida captain Bouncer Smith, the tournament highlighted the importance of protecting the estuaries and coastal habitats that support Florida’s inshore fisheries.

“The best way to protect our waterways is to bring people together to work on them,” said Bouncer Smith.

The flexible tournament format allowed participants to fish any day during the April 18 to 21 fishing window, making the event accessible to families, working anglers, and weekend participants alike. All catches were documented using official IGFA measuring devices to encourage responsible fish handling, accurate scoring, and greater awareness of how the International Game Fish Association verifies catches under internationally recognized angling standards.

For many young anglers, the measuring devices also served as an introduction to the IGFA’s record keeping process and conservation mission. The tournament further highlighted the IGFA’s recently expanded junior angler record categories, which were created to encourage more youth participation in ethical angling and conservation. All tournament participants also received IGFA digital memberships with their tournament entries, helping connect more anglers and families directly to the organization’s global conservation and education initiatives.

The tournament officially kicked off Friday evening during the Captain’s Party at the Old Fish House, where anglers gathered for registration, music, food, sponsor giveaways, and conservation focused camaraderie. Early registrants received limited edition captain’s buckets packed with sponsor gear, raffle entries, official IGFA measuring devices, and IGFA digital memberships.

More importantly, the event reinforced a simple message:

Good fishing depends on healthy water.

Conservation at Scale

At the center of the week was the Clean Water Collective, held Saturday, April 25. Led by Cory Redwine and supported by scientists, conservationists, and volunteers from across the region, the event focused on restoration projects with measurable environmental impacts.

As part of the Billion Clam Initiative, millions of seed clams were deployed into the Indian River Lagoon, including drone-assisted clam drops that reduce stress on the shellfish while improving planting efficiency. These filter-feeding clams play a critical role in improving water clarity and restoring balance within fragile estuarine ecosystems.

Attendees also participated in oyster garden workshops and learned how oyster habitats improve biodiversity while naturally filtering surrounding waters.

More than 5,000 mangroves were potted and prepared for future shoreline restoration projects. Mangroves provide critical nursery habitat for marine life while helping stabilize shorelines and reduce erosion.

Throughout the day, visitors explored conservation exhibits, restoration demonstrations, and educational workshops designed to make marine science accessible for families and young anglers.

IGFA Engagement at Project SeaSafe

Throughout the week, the IGFA participated in the Bouncer Smith Celebrity Inshore Slam, the Celebrity Invitational, and the public-facing Clean Water Collective in support of Project SeaSafe’s conservation mission.

IGFA staff member Emily Hanzlik and IGFA Marketing Director Adrian Gray attended the week’s events to assist anglers and guests with tournament scoring and catch, photo, and release procedures while promoting ethical angling and conservation awareness.

The IGFA also attended the Celebrity Invitational, which brought together respected names from the fishing, conservation, and outdoor industries, including Bouncer Smith, Peter Miller, Shaw Grigsby, Bobby Lane, Blair Wiggins, Tom Rowland, Dennis Friel, Jessica Shipley, and Scott and Hillary-Sue Martin, along with many others dedicated to protecting Florida’s waterways and fisheries.

During Saturday’s public event, the IGFA team met with families, anglers, and community members to discuss the organization’s conservation initiatives, youth education efforts, ethical angling standards, and world record program. Attendees also received complimentary copies of the World Record Game Fishes while learning more about the IGFA’s mission to protect the future of recreational fishing through conservation and education.

Science, Storytelling, and Restoration

Project SeaSafe 2026 also featured a strong scientific and educational component. Researchers, conservation leaders, and marine scientists shared insights into estuary restoration, habitat recovery, and fisheries conservation through demonstrations and interactive workshops.

The event also welcomed artists and storytellers whose work helped bring the conservation mission to life. Live art from marine artists Dennis Friel, Jessica Shipley, and Derek Redwine added another dimension to the event, while content creators and media teams documented the week through interviews, educational videos, and on-the-water coverage that will continue extending the message beyond the Indian River Lagoon.

Fish Fry, Awards, and Community

Saturday evening’s fish fry and awards celebration brought participants together after a full week of fishing, restoration work, and community engagement. 

Held at the Old Fish House, the evening featured tournament awards, raffles, live music, seafood, and stories from the week’s conservation efforts. More than a celebration, the gathering reflected the spirit of Project SeaSafe: people from different backgrounds united by a shared commitment to clean water and healthy fisheries.

Finishing Strong: Waterway Warriors Cleanup

The week concluded Sunday, April 26, with the Waterway Warriors Cleanup led by Randy Nolan and volunteers from across the community.

Participants spread out across shorelines, boat ramps, and waterways surrounding the lagoon to remove trash and marine debris from sensitive habitats and public access points. Volunteers who returned with full bags of debris received raffle entries and participant lunches, reinforcing the event’s focus on direct community involvement and measurable environmental action.

Why The Week Mattered

Project SeaSafe is not a trade show or festival.

It is a working model for how conservation succeeds when scientists, anglers, nonprofits, brands, artists, and families come together with a common purpose.

By combining restoration projects, fishing, education, storytelling, and community participation into one effort, Project SeaSafe continues to prove an important point:

When people experience conservation firsthand, they care enough to protect it.

Through partnerships between organizations like the IGFA, Star brite, Project SeaSafe, SeaRedwine Preservation, and leaders throughout the outdoor industry, the event continues to create meaningful impact for the future of Florida’s fisheries and waterways.