Remembering Tom Pfleger

On June 19, 2024 PIER lost its founder and close friend, Tom Pfleger. Tom established PIER over 25 years ago as part of his commitment to the ocean, a place where
he had always found peace. Tom invested his heart and soul into PIER and treated the PIER team like family. Tom was an outstanding waterman and visionary who never let an obstacle get in his way. We are very blessed to have had the chance to know and work with Tom. Moving forward we are very proud to be part of his legacy. Tom had a profound impact on all of us and his skill, dedication and generosity will not be forgotten.

In line with what we think Tom would likely want, we are going to celebrate his life and continue to remember all of the good that he brought to our world. In Tom’s wake, PIER will move forward and continue with the important work he started.

We miss you Tom!

In remembrance, the PIER newsletter will now be known as “Tom‘s Update”.

Here are a few images of Tom and the PIER team at work.

Tom Pfleger releasing a seabass that he and his team electronically tagged.  Over the past decade, Tom helped tag over 500 white seabass.

Tom Pfleger surgically implanting an archival tag in a White Seabass prior to release.  Tom not only found and caught the Seabass, but he also performed the surgeries.

Tom Pfleger releasing a Pacific Bluefin tuna that he and his team tagged aboard the fishing vessel Polaris Supreme.