Community Engagement Project: Forward-Facing Sonar in Florida Bay

As part of his master’s degree in marine biology at the University of Miami, Andrew Jordan is leading a community engagement project through his internship with Florida Bay Forever focused on the growing use of forward-facing sonar in Florida Bay.

Forward-facing sonar is a real-time scanning technology that allows anglers to see and track individual fish with remarkable precision. As its use becomes more widespread, it has sparked important conversations about fish behavior, catch efficiency, and the principle of fair chase—the idea that wildlife should have a reasonable opportunity to evade detection and pursuit.

This community engagement project will bring together guides, anglers, scientists, conservation organizations, and other stakeholders to share perspectives and explore how this evolving technology may be affecting Florida Bay and the fisheries that support our community. The goal is not to advocate for a particular position, but to encourage informed, respectful dialogue and better understand the opportunities and challenges surrounding forward-facing sonar.

Community Engagement Event
November 6
📍 Safe Harbor Angler House

Interested in participating? Whether you’re a fishing guide, angler, scientist, conservation professional, or simply someone who cares about the future of Florida Bay, we’d love to hear from you. If you’d like to contribute your perspective or learn more about the project, please reach out:

@forwardfacingsonar_event2026 or https://www.instagram.com/forwardfacingsonar_event2026/