Private: Policies

Interested in seeing what causes TBF is currently fighting for? Click here to see what management efforts are affecting our community and what you can do to help.

TAKE ACTION

If you resonate with any of TBF’s efforts or policies, learn how you can make your voice be heard.

Ways to Help

Our success would not be possible without the support of our community. Review the ways you can support our efforts.

CURRENT POLICIES

Fighting for the rights of the recreational sport fishing community can be a tireless effort, but it’s an ever-evolving mission that we’re beyond committed to!

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The Billfish Foundation

Advocacy

TBF prides itself in being the voices for recreational anglers. Using our platform, we are consistently contacting our representatives, traveling to governmental panels and conferences, and using your reported data to fight for the rights of the recreational sportfishing industry. If you’re looking for ways to help support anglers, TBF, or billfish conservation, check out the links below.

The Billfish Foundation

Advocacy

TBF prides itself in being the voices for recreational anglers. Using our platform, we are consistently contacting our representatives, traveling to governmental panels and conferences, and using your reported data to fight for the rights of the recreational sportfishing industry. If you’re looking for ways to help support anglers, TBF, or billfish conservation, check out the links below.

TAKE ACTION

Here’s your chance to get involved! Let’s work together to make sure your voices are heard! Here’s how to do it.

1

CONNECT WITH AN ISSUE

Click here to review some of the current domestic and international issues affecting the angling community.

2

FIND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE

Learn who your local spokesperson is surrounding the topics you’re passionate about.

3

CONTACT THEM

Now, it’s easier than ever to connect with a local representative. Click here to learn what to do!

Current Issues

Learn more about what’s making an impact on our community

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Advocacy News

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NMFS issued 7 Exempted Fishing Permits (EFP) for vessels to fish for BAYS tunas (bigeye, yellowfin albacore, skipjack) and swordfish in the Gulf of Mexico and off the Atlantic East…
No balance currently exists between the hugely successful Atlantic shark conservation and management of Atlantic shark fisheries –  people fishing, jobs, food markets, experiences, and economics.  Balance is needed. Shark…
Led by Blair Wickstrom of Florida Sportsmans Magazine, targets the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (FMC) and NOAA, and calls for, by anglers, greater conservation restraints for mahi-mahi and wahoo,…
The Billfish Foundation submitted comments to National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) today on the Draft Review of Atlantic Shark Fishery Review (SHARE) urging the revitalization of the Atlantic shark fishery…
In support of Executive Order (EO) 13921, which calls for Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth, in May 2020, NOAA just issued two extensive tools that may be used…
Input requested from anglers regarding potential impacts from offshore wind projects The Billfish Foundation just received word that The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is hosting the only workshop on…
Anglers remain steadfast in objecting to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s (SAFMC) approval of Amendment 10 as written. The amendment is now with the Secretary of Commerce for final…
The member nations, including the U.S., of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), the international treaty fishery management organization for Atlantic highly migratory species, approved a…
Daily reports and postings of angler-caught fish bitten into or taken whole by Atlantic sharks, known as depredation, painfully and clearly demonstrates the result of one-sided management, which has produced…
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) recommended and the NMFS authorized a single Exempted Fishing Permit for testing a new gear – Modified Snap – in federal waters off California.…
Currently, the NMFS is considering making many changes to the fishery management plan for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) – Bluefin Tuna. Redistributing tonnage allocations to each managed Fishing Category,…
Traditional tagging of billfish for science produce very valuable data, especially with TBF’s and the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) tagging databases spanning decades. In turn, the data helps support…
This month the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) accepted applications for Exempted Fishing Permits (EFP) for which decisions will be made in September for the following fishing year. One application…
The current proposed Amendment 13 to the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan may reallocate the U.S. Atlantic quota share of Bluefin Tuna among Fishing Categories (Angling, Longline, General,…
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) approved Amendment 12 to the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery Management Plan (FMP), which adds bullet and frigate mackerel as ecosystem component (EC) species. EC…
The Billfish Foundation is proud to join the Center for Sportfishing Policy (CSP) as a Sustaining Partner. CSP works to maximize opportunities for saltwater anglers and advocate for the conservation…
As of May 4 at 11:30pm, the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category Gulf of Mexico Incidental Trophy Fishery is closed. This means that no anglers may land, possess, or retain…
NOAA Fisheries closed the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category for the Southern Area Trophy Fishery on March 1st, 2021. This closure will last all year, ending on December 31st, 2021.…
With the recent Executive Order (EO), recreational fishing gear, bottom trawls, and pelagic longline are viewed the same as all other fishing gear when it comes to designating Marine Protected…
With the year coming to a close, we thank you for your support, as we reflect on TBF’s key contributions in 2020. To stay up-to-date on all things billfish, become a…
Recreational fishing may get displaced by aquaculture/mariculture if we don’t give current government plans close scrutiny.  NOAA/NMFS, federal Fishery Management Councils, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environment Protection…
NOAA Fisheries transferred 19.5 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic bluefin tuna from the Reserve Category to the General Category. This action will go into effect on December 1st, 2020 and…
The Billfish Foundation recently endorsed the Conservation of America’s Shoreline Terrain and Aquatic Life (COASTAL) Act and the Opening Federal Financial Sharing to Heighten Opportunities for Renewable Energy (OFFSHORE) Act.…

Media Submission

Do You Have Billfish Photos?

If you’d like to see your photos spotlighted in one of TBF’s publications or online via social media, then send them our way! We are always looking for high resolution photos of billfish in the water or jumping. Click below for more information on how to submit your pictures. 

TBF Events

Ways to Get Involved

Get involved in ocean advocacy through The Billfish Foundation’s Galas, Tournaments, and Ceremonies. As we continue our mission, we welcome donors and sponsors to join us, offering opportunities for recognition and impact.

Tournaments

TBF travels to dozens of sportfishing tournaments each year to support partners, fundraise on behalf of TBF, and educate anglers on the benefits of billfish tag and release.

Galas

TBF uses our annual gala to fundraise, to celebrate another successful year of billfish conservation, and to praise the efforts our incredible community.

Ceremonies

TBF’s Annual Tag and Release Award Ceremony is held annually in February to celebrate and recognize the captains, anglers, and mates who led the way in billfish conservation that year.

Interested in learning more?

TBF collects and utilizes data for advancing responsible fisheries management and billfish conservation, highlighting the importance of the recreational fishing community.
Our billfish successes today are only possible with partner support. Click here to see who they are and how you can help support them!
TBF fosters strong billfish conservation ethics, helping anglers of all generations understand the importance of the recreational sportfishing industry and billfish