The Florida Guardian Award 2025
The Florida Guardian Award:
Marine Innovation Award: Sea-Doo FishPro
Youth Champion Award: Luca Martinez
Youth Champion Award: Luca Martinez
Marine Innovation Award: Sea-Doo FishPro
Youth Champion Award: Luca Martinez
We are proud to recognize Luca Martinez as a recipient of the Florida Guardian Award – Young Conservation Leader category. At just 21, Luca has already made a remarkable impact as a conservation filmmaker and speaker, bringing the awe-inspiring beauty of the Florida Everglades to over 1 billion viewers worldwide.
Through powerful storytelling and visual advocacy, Luca has helped ignite a global appreciation for Florida’s wetlands — and continues to inspire action through education and outreach. Whether in the field or on stage, his passion for the environment reflects the future of conservation leadership.
Congratulations, Luca, and thank you for being a voice for the wild.
Marine Innovation Award: Sea-Doo FishPro
Marine Innovation Award: Sea-Doo FishPro
Marine Innovation Award: Sea-Doo FishPro
Representation of progress, eco-consciousness, and technological advancement in watercraft design. The combination of modern, sustainable materials, and innovation and environmental stewardship.
Sea-Doo FishPro (a brand of personal watercraft manufactured by BRP – Bombardier Recreational Products) has introduced several innovations and practices that contribute to conservation and preservation, especially relevant to environmentally sensitive regions like Florida’s waterways, mangroves, and marine life zones. While their core business involves recreational watercraft, Sea-Doo has taken steps toward minimizing environmental impact and promoting responsible use of natural resources.
Sea-Doo FishPro contributes to conservation and preservation** — particularly benefiting Florida:
1. Eco-Friendly Engine Technology (Low-Emission)
Sea-Doo uses Rotax 4-TEC and ACE engines, which are EPA-compliant and designed to significantly reduce emissions.
Compared to older 2-stroke models, these 4-stroke engines emit far fewer hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, helping to keep Florida’s water and air cleaner.
2. iDF – Intelligent Debris-Free Pump System
The iDF system (introduced in 2021) lets riders clear debris (like seagrass or plastic) from the intake without getting in the water.
This prevents engine damage and avoids disturbing seagrass beds, which are critical marine habitats in Florida.
3. Sound Reduction / Noise-Conscious Desig
Sea-Doo models are designed with noise-dampening technology to reduce disruption to wildlife and coastal communities.
Lower noise levels are crucial in protecting manatees, birds, dolphins, and other sensitive species in Florida’s waterways.
4. Recreational Fishing Models, FishPro Series with Minimal Impact
The "FishPro" series offers a sustainable alternative for anglers — using personal watercraft instead of larger boats that cause more wake and habitat disturbance.
Their shallow draft and compact design make them ideal for responsible fishing in sensitive Florida flats and estuaries.
5. Eco-Responsibility Messaging & Education
Sea-Doo promotes responsible riding through partnerships and public campaigns — including rider safety, wildlife respect, and “leave no trace” water ethics.
In Florida, they have supported clean-up efforts, rider education events, and collaborations with marine parks.
6. Fuel-Efficient Riding Modes
Sea-Doo watercraft feature ECO Mode, which optimizes fuel efficiency and reduces emissions during cruising — ideal for nature tours or eco-tourism operations.
7. Partnerships with Marine & Environmental Nonprofits
While not always publicized, BRP and its dealers have partnered with organizations across the U.S. and Canada to support marine cleanups, wildlife education, and habitat restoration — many of which include Florida-based efforts.
Why This Matters to us:
Florida has thousands of miles of vulnerable coastline, seagrass beds, manatee habitats, coral zones, and inland springs — all of which benefit from low-impact, responsible watercraft innovation.
Sea-Doo’s focus on cleaner engines, smarter tech, and rider responsibility makes them an industry leader in sustainable personal watercraft recreation.
Lionfish Challenge celebrates 10-year anniversary
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FWC Lionfish Challenge Celebrates 10 Years — Over 30,000 Lionfish Removed!
September 2025
How We Fish Florida proudly covered the 10th Annual FWC Lionfish Challenge, celebrating a decade of one of Florida’s most impactful conservation efforts. This year’s milestone event brought together divers from across the state — and beyond — to remove invasive lionfish and protect our precious reef ecosystems.
A Record-Breaking Summer
The 2025 tournament saw over 500 divers embark on 1,104 dive trips, collectively removing more than 30,000 lionfish from Florida waters. The summer-long event concluded with a dramatic finish as competitors raced to turn in their last lionfish to checkpoints statewide, competing for prizes and the coveted titles of Lionfish King and Commercial Champion.
2025 Winners
Recreational Division – Lionfish King:
- Paul Carlson (Palm Beach County): 1,542 lionfish removed over 73 dives
- Kris Anderson (Texas): 1,098 lionfish removed over 36 dives
- Helen Rodney (Broward County): 962 lionfish removed
- Commercial Division – Commercial Champion:
- Donald Vautrinot (Walton County): 1,161.04 pounds of lionfish removed
- Matt Myers (Jacksonville): 803 pounds removed
- David Garrett (Volusia County): 754 pounds removed
Voices from the Event
“Congratulations to our 2025 Lionfish King and Commercial Champion,” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. “The diving community across our state plays a vital role in promoting conservation and raising awareness of this invasive species.”
Jessica McCawley, Director of FWC’s Division of Marine Fisheries Management, added:
“Every year, we are blown away by the enthusiastic participation during the Lionfish Challenge. We want to thank all the 2025 participants for their dedication to keeping Florida’s marine ecosystem healthy.”
Why It Matters
Lionfish may be beautiful, but they are an invasive species that threaten Florida’s coral reefs, native fish populations, and commercial fisheries. The Lionfish Challenge empowers divers, anglers, and commercial harvesters to make a measurable impact — and this year’s results prove that community-driven conservation works.
As the number of lionfish tournaments grows statewide, so does Florida’s commitment to protecting its waters.
Education Documentary
Guardians of the Reef: Florida’s Last Stand
Guardians of the reef is a powerful environmental documentary that reveals the hidden struggles of Florida’s oceans. From coral bleaching and invasive lionfish to the endangered manatee.
How We Fish Florida - Taking Action for a Greener Future
Our organization is dedicated to promoting sustainability and fighting climate change through grassroots initiatives and education.
Nature's Wonders
Save Our Planet education
Reduce Plastic Waste
Plastic waste is a major environmental issue affecting our oceans, marine life, and ecosystems. How We Fish Florida advocates for reducing plastic waste by promoting recycling.
Protect Wildlife
The destruction of natural habitats and pollution has led to a decrease in wildlife populations. How We Fish Florida works to protect wildlife through conservation efforts and raising awareness for all saltwater fishing and freshwater fishing
Combat Climate Change Education
Climate change is a global crisis with far-reaching consequences. How We Fish Florida is committed to combating climate change through advocacy, education, and promoting sustainable practices. Coral reefs are the rainforests of the sea, teeming with life and vibrant beauty. Protecting them is not just an act of conservation, but a promise to future generations that we cherish and safeguard our planet's most precious ecosystems. We are exploring the development of the world's largest coral farm right here in Florida. This initiative would enable us to restore the vast areas of bleached coral caused by rising ocean temperatures along Florida's coast. This would create the best florida fishing spots.
Clean Air Initiatives
Air pollution is a major health hazard and contributes to climate change. How We Fish Florida is dedicated to promoting clean air initiatives and reducing air pollution through advocacy and education. In Florida, we can confirm that the excessive use of fertilizers, which enter our waterways as runoff, plays a major role in the growth of harmful red tides. These toxic algae blooms not only release dangerous gases but also prevent sea grass from growing along our coastline—the primary food source for our manatees.
Protect Our Oceans
Our oceans are essential to life on Earth and are under threat from pollution, overfishing, and climate change. How We Fish Florida is working to protect our oceans through conservation efforts and education.
Promote Sustainable Living
Living sustainably is essential to protecting our planet and ensuring a healthy future. How We Fish Florida promotes sustainable living through education and advocacy for sustainable practices.
Florida FIshing Permits
Everything you need for Freshwater & Saltwater fishing across Florida
Everything you need to fish in saltwater/freshwater across Florida plus hunting licenses/permits for Turkey, Deer, Waterfowl, & Migratory Birds
Everything you need for Saltwater Fishing across Florida (Includes Snook & Lobster)
Gone Fishing!
Everything you need for Saltwater Fishing across Florida (Includes Snook & Lobster)
Everything you need to fish in saltwater/freshwater across Florida plus hunting licenses/permits for Turkey, Deer, Waterfowl, & Migratory Birds
Everything you need for Saltwater Fishing across Florida (Includes Snook & Lobster)
Saltwater Angler
Everything you need to fish in saltwater/freshwater across Florida plus hunting licenses/permits for Turkey, Deer, Waterfowl, & Migratory Birds
Everything you need to fish in saltwater/freshwater across Florida plus hunting licenses/permits for Turkey, Deer, Waterfowl, & Migratory Birds
Everything you need to fish in saltwater/freshwater across Florida plus hunting licenses/permits for Turkey, Deer, Waterfowl, & Migratory Birds
Florida Sportsman
