New tech allows researchers to track red drum fish

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — Three million annual fishing trips are associated with the red drum species.

For that reason, researchers want to learn more about their movement.

The North Carolina Marine & Estuary Foundation unveiled a groundbreaking interactive tracking platform for red drum, North Carolina’s official state saltwater fish. The first tool of its kind in North Carolina, this platform brings cutting-edge marine science directly to the public, offering new insight into the movement patterns of one of the state’s most important coastal species.

“Red drum are an iconic symbol of North Carolina’s coastal communities, and a key driver of our state’s $4 billion saltwater fishing economy,” said Foundation Executive Director Chad Thomas. “This exciting new tool invites the public to engage directly with real-time science from the field—to see where these fish travel and to understand why protecting their habitat matters. We are proud to partner with the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries to make this project a reality.”

The new tracking platform builds on a successful 2024 pilot study in which 10 adult red drum were tagged in Pamlico Sound. Lessons learned from that effort, including tag attachment methods and optimal satellite transmission settings, guided the expanded 2025 tagging project, which involves tagging 40 additional fish along the coast. The work is being conducted with assistance from recreational fishing guides and as part of the Division’s annual longline survey.

Each satellite tag is programmed to detach from the fish and “pop up” at the surface after intervals ranging from 30 days to 12 months. Once released, the tags transmit daily location data to the Argos satellite network, creating a detailed map of each fish’s journey. Because red drum frequently travel near the surface, some tags may send data before their programmed release, offering early glimpses of fish locations.

The North Carolina Marine & Estuary Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing data-driven policies that restore fisheries, strengthen coastal economies, and ensure thriving marine ecosystems.