A Convergence of Sport and Science amongst the Mid-Atlantic Bight
The Fishin’ Frenzy sportfishing crew (as seen on National Geographic’s Wicked Tuna show) launched two more of our miniboats into the Atlantic Ocean off the Oregon Inlet, adding an exciting chapter to the growing connection between ocean sportfishing and participatory-powered research.
Operating out of the Outer Banks, North Carolina, Fishin’ Frenzy is known for chasing giants—from bluefin tuna to marlin—pushing the limits of skill, endurance, and local ocean knowledge. But on March 26th, 2025 their mission wasn’t just fish. It was the chance to support our students—to launch small, uncrewed vessels that serve as floating classrooms, international data collectors, and tools for global collaboration.
While Fishin’ Frenzy navigates currents and migratory patterns in pursuit of apex predators, our miniboats follow similar pathways—moving with the wind and currents, collecting vital oceanographic data. These deployments help young students, researchers, and coastal communities understand climate patterns, human impacts, and the dynamics of our blue planet.
Bright and early on March 26th, 2025, Captain Greg, the Fishin’ Frenzy crew, and world renowned sport fisherman Captain Charles “CP” Perry, kick started what is bound to be an epic voyage for M/B Croatoan’s Revenge! This miniboat was built by dedicated students at Manteo Middle School in North Carolina. Just 23 hours later on March 27th, 2025, the same team launched M/B Swansonator3000 out to sea from the exact same spot, along with a MakerBuoy Drifter! This launch was made extra special with Morristown Beard School’s teacher and miniboat namesake Mrs. Lisa Swanson driving herself and the vessel down from New Jersey to join the adventure. Not to mention, soon after the Swansonator3000 was launched, the Tag A Giant crew tagged an 112 inch, 850 lb bluefin tuna and re-released it back out into the ocean to record significant data.
In fact, these miniboat launches happened because of the Tag A Giant program, a leading conservation effort focused on the preservation of Atlantic bluefin tuna through data collection and advocacy. By combining efforts, we’re not just gathering data—we’re telling a bigger story about the interconnectedness of science, sport, and stewardship.
So that got us thinking…“How exactly do tuna fish and a miniboat stack up against each other?” Let’s look at the stats:
In making this blog post we discovered that one miniboat: the M/B Yaquina Neversink has beaten the Guinness World Record for longest recorded tuna migration in linear distance. Yaquina has traveled 9,940km as of March 16th, 2025 and is still out at sea on its first voyage.
We are eagerly watching the race of the two miniboats from Fishin’ Frenzy unfold in the Gulf Stream using our Path Analysis Tool (PAT), with the Swansonator3000 already 150 nautical miles ahead of Croatoan’s Revenge, as of April 9th (two weeks since initial launch). Where will their sails take them? Only the ocean knows.
To the Fishin’ Frenzy team, and Charles “CP” Perry: thank you for being more than fishermen. You’re ocean ambassadors, showing that the future of our seas depend on collaboration between all who love and rely on it.
Track the miniboats launched by Fishin’ Frenzy and follow their adventures here:
M/B Croatoan’s Revenge
M/B Swansonator3000
M/B Stormy Normy (launched Sept. 2024)
Stay hooked,
Daryn Clevesy
