Friday November 14, 2025

Early last year, our foundation launched a multi-year research initiative with the Division of Marine Fisheries to track adult red drum movements using satellite tags. The project started with a pilot study in which Division staff tagged 10 red drum in Pamlico Sound. From there, the 2025 plans expanded to include 40 additional red drum tagged along the North Carolina coast.

Throughout the process, our foundation toyed with the idea of creating an interactive platform to showcase the movements of these tagged fish in near real time. What began as a far-fetched concept became a real possibility when we connected with a development company called Mapotic. After countless video calls, long email chains, and plenty of beta testing, our vision was brought to life. And now, we’re thrilled to share that our red drum tracking platform is officially live!

This project would not have been possible without the generous support of our donors, partners, recreational guides, Division staff, and many others who contributed along the way.

We would love for you to join our growing community of supporters, whether it be through financial contributions, sporting our merch, or simply sharing our content with friends and family. So, check out the platform, and feel free to contact us with questions, comments, or even a creative fish name! To learn more about the platform launch, check out our press release.