Skip to content
A blue marlin appears to jump out of the water as a fisherman releases him.
Catch and Release Gulf Coast Cowboys Angling Club release a blue marlin © Sport Fishing Club
Cause Marketing

Spotlighting Ocean Conservation Through Competitive Fishing

Sport Fishing Championship and TNC are teaming up to highlight ocean and marine conservation as part of the 2026 tournament season.

Key Takeaways

  • The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has an ambitious goal of protecting 10 billion hectares of ocean by 2030.
  • TNC and Sport Fishing Championship (SFC) are joining forces to highlight ocean and marine conservation as part of SFC’s 2026 tournament season. 
  • TNC will be featured as an SFC “Community Champion” and showcased throughout its six-month tournament across SFC programming, digital platforms and fan engagement. 
  • Through these moments, TNC will have opportunities to raise awareness of its critical conservation work to help support and sustain a healthy ocean. 

The ocean, which covers 70% of our planet, sustains over 3 billion people with food, oxygen, income and protection from climate-related risks; however, it’s under immense pressure like never before. Warming seas, overfishing, pollution and habitat loss are weakening the ocean’s ability to support people and nature. We have already lost more than 30% of the world’s mangroves, half of all coral reefs, and 85% of shellfish reefs.  

But our ability to respond has never been stronger. Lasting marine conservation depends on working alongside Indigenous Peoples, local communities, governments, scientists and partners to protect, restore and manage the ocean for decades to come.

A reef scene of staghorn coral with a school of small striped fish in view.
Healthy Coral Reef One of the last remaining stands of healthy staghorn coral growing abundantly in Dry Tortugas National Park in the Florida Keys. © Rachel Hancock Davis/TNC
An underwater view of a green sea turtle from above and blue waters and rocks beneath.
Sea Turtle at Key Largo A juvenile Green Sea Turtle over the reef off the coast of Key Largo Florida. © Rachel Hancock Davis
Healthy Coral Reef One of the last remaining stands of healthy staghorn coral growing abundantly in Dry Tortugas National Park in the Florida Keys. © Rachel Hancock Davis/TNC
Sea Turtle at Key Largo A juvenile Green Sea Turtle over the reef off the coast of Key Largo Florida. © Rachel Hancock Davis

Reaching a 10-Billion Hectare Goal

Under TNC’s Ocean and Coasts Network (OCN), nine southeastern U.S. states, the Gulf, and the Caribbean region are leading critical work to ensure the health of marine and coastal habitats that are threatened by impacts like sea-level rise, development and a growing demand for resources. OCN is focused on addressing these threats through productive and sustainable fisheries and healthy and connected estuaries.

OCN is just one of many initiatives that are helping to make progress towards meeting TNC’s 2030 goal of protecting 10 billion hectares of ocean.

Together, we have an opportunity to educate, engage, and inspire our audience to support conservation efforts that ensure the future of our sport and our planet.
Mark Neifeld, Commissioner & CEO of Sport Fishing Championship

Joining Forces with Professional Anglers

The Nature Conservancy and Sport Fishing Championship (SFC) are joining forces to highlight ocean and marine conservation as part of SFC’s 2026 tournament season. Founded in 2021, SFC is a competitive catch-and-release sportfishing league representing 13 professional angling clubs spanning south Texas to New England. 

TNC will be featured as an SFC “Community Champion” and showcased throughout its six-month tournament across SFC programming, digital platforms and fan engagement. Through these moments, TNC will have opportunities to raise awareness and visibility of its critical conservation work to help support and sustain a healthy ocean. 

A blue marlin appears to jump out of the ocean water as a fisherman releases him.
Catch and release Gulf Coast Cowboys Angling Club release a blue marlin © Sport Fishing Championship

Teaming up with organizations like SFC will help TNC continue to raise awareness of critical work, connect with new audiences, and offer engaging platforms to build support and advocacy.

 “The Nature Conservancy's global leadership in protecting our oceans, fisheries, and coastal ecosystems aligns directly with our mission to promote sustainable sportfishing and responsible stewardship of marine resources,” said Mark Neifeld, Commissioner & CEO of SFC. “Together, we have an opportunity to educate, engage, and inspire our audience to support conservation efforts that ensure the future of our sport and our planet.”

Learn More

A split-shot at the water's surface with clear skies above and dozens of silver medium-sized porgy fish swimming through clear blue water below.

Conserving Our Ocean

How we’re protecting ocean habitats and coastlines, addressing the impact of climate change and supporting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.

Nesting loggerhead sea turtle returning to the ocean at Florida's Blowing Rocks Preserve.

Ocean and Coasts Network

The Ocean and Coasts Network will help us tackle challenges across a vast geography of shorelines and open waters in the southeastern U.S. and Gulf Coast region.

A clown fish peaking through a red anemone.

Incredible ocean photos. See what your support could protect.

One of a kind ocean images from around the world. Check out which images from our annual photo contest made the collection.

A red fish's tongue emerges from its mouth.

Fishing: Under Pressure

Some deep-water species are so rare that fishermen aren't allowed to keep what they catch. Fish that are thrown back can suffer from barotrauma, so TNC and partners have turned their attention to saving discarded fish.