We are extremely excited to announce that the newest iteration of our Conservation Record has been released! Encompassing data and events in 2022 and 2023, this is TBF’s first double feature report. This publication stands as a testament to our commitment to the conservation of billfish species. Through a blend of science and communication, this comprehensive report transforms the billfish data you collect into an interesting and engaging read for all.
In the past, the Conservation Record was largely focused on the hard tag and release data received in a competition year. The 2022-2023 CR does things a little bit differently! Now, internal and external projects have been included, showcasing the levels of growth and development TBF has undergone. So now, not only is the Conservation Record a summary of data, it is now a representation of the joint efforts of TBF and the community. Whether you’re a captain, angler, TBF sponsor, or billfishing newbie, this report aims to cater to the shared interest of a love for billfishing.
In addition, we have also expanded to include more information about our volunteer angler base and the species they target. New highlights show off large milestones reached in the community, and our species section dives deeper into the biological characteristics of billfish. Our amazing spread of photographs come from our very own community, and our recapture maps now include the names of the vessels involved. With each edition of the Conservation Record, TBF aims to further emphasize the importance of our community members and their contribution to our message.
Despite the new additions, data from our Tag & Release Program works as the foundation of the Conservation Record. In terms of data submissions, the 2022 and 2023 fishing seasons were nothing short of remarkable. To our database of over 290,000 entries, our volunteer anglers were responsible for submitting 19,374 new records. This was the result of 9,719 fish tagged and released, 9,492 additional fish released, and 163 recaptured tags. Over a two-year time period, that comes out to roughly 29 unique billfish events logged in our database each day. None of this would have been possible without our dedicated support system of volunteer anglers, captains, and mates!
In terms of species statistics, data entry in 2022 and 2023 reflected similar patterns compared to previous years. The combined entries for sailfish, blue marlin, and striped marlin account for almost ninety percent of all reported data. Sailfish data alone makes up almost half of all reported data within that two-year time frame. Bluefin and yellowfin tuna have been added back to the report as well, adding an additional 224 records to the two year sum!
We at TBF believe it’s important for our community to understand why we collect the data, and this report does a fantastic job of highlighting the incredible work our anglers, captains and mates do each year. Reported tags and releases are important for understanding behavioral constants and shifts in billfish populations around the world. Without being able to reference reports such as these, long-term conservation would not be possible. Plus, it’s always interesting to see how fishing trends change from year to year!
Stay tuned for further publications from TBF, we are constantly reinventing ways to showcase our data to the public. Until our next report comes out, feel free to head to our website to check out the 2022-2023 Conservation Record! Additionally, our website repository is filled with tons of historic billfish reports.
