The Billfish Foundation’s (TBF) annual fundraiser took on a hauntingly fun twist this year as the Ghosts & Gills Gala lit up Halloween night, Friday, October 31st, at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa. Guests from across the sportfishing community gathered for an evening of spooky sophistication, incredible costumes, and heartfelt celebration, all in support of billfish conservation.

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From eerie elegance to ocean-inspired creativity, the costumes were nothing short of amazing. Ghostly anglers, glamorous ghouls, and even a few free-swimming marlin filled the room, bringing the Halloween spirit to life. More than 200 guests enjoyed an evening of great food, good company, and lively bidding, all for a great cause.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Awards. Richard Gibson was honored with the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of unwavering dedication to the sportfishing community. Jim Johnston received the John Rybovich Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his exceptional commitment to the billfishing community and his leadership in South Carolina’s sportfishing scene. Both honorees have made lasting contributions that continue to inspire future generations of offshore anglers.

During the live auction, Pat Healey of Viking Yachts once again brought his signature humor and energy to the stage, keeping the bids rolling and the crowd entertained. The auction also featured an exciting announcement: the launch of TBF’s “40 for 40” campaign, an ambitious initiative to fund 40 satellite tags in honor of TBF’s 40th anniversary. The announcement was met with overwhelming enthusiasm, and we’re thrilled to share that we’re already well on our way to achieving this goal.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, this year’s gala was one of the most successful fundraisers in TBF’s history, raising vital funds to continue advancing our mission for billfish conservation and to ensure billfish opportunities for our community.

We extend our deepest thanks to everyone who attended and to our sponsors whose support made the gala possible: Tri Sea Stabilizers, Garmin, Bacardi, C&L Insurance, Galati Yacht Sales, Willis Custom Yachts, Grady White Boats, HMY, Marina Cap Cana, Marina Casa de Campo, Ocean5, Dekit, Hilton’s Offshore, and Roff’s.

Thank you for making this year’s Ghosts & Gills Gala an unforgettable celebration. Together, we’re ensuring the future of billfish conservation is as bright as ever. We can’t wait to see you next year as we celebrate TBF’s 40th anniversary, and another night to remember!