NOAA Documents Negative Impacts on Fishing from COVID-19
NOAA Fisheries recently released economic impact figures caused by COVID-19 on the U.S. fishing and seafood industry, including wild harvest, aquaculture, and the recreational charter/for-hire sector. Most recreational charter operations were completely shut down in most coastal states beginning in mid-March and began a phased re-openings starting in May. NOAA estimated Southeast charter revenues, relative to the preceding 3-year period, fell 72 percent between March through April due to local and state COVID-related closures and protocols. In May-June, as businesses began to re-open, revenue was reported down 4.5 percent. With many tournaments having cancelled, 50 fewer highly migratory species
2021 Tag & Release Virtual Ceremony Information
The 2021 Tag & Release Ceremony presented by King Sailfish Mounts, Dekit, Viking Service Center, Costa Sunglasses and Floy Tag is virtual this year! It will be held via Facebook Live on February 12th at 6 pm EST. To tune in, simply “like” our Facebook page, you will be notified on Facebook when we go live! Our livestream will celebrate the winners of the TBF Tag & Release Awards across the globe and include fun trivia questions and a special Ceremony cocktail recipe to enjoy during the event! To get you excited for the stream, we have fun things
Remembering Stephen “Steve” Levi
Stephen “Steve” Levi, a beloved TBF member and passionate angler, unfortunately died in an auto accident on January 8 while in Biloxi, MS.  Steve, as he was known, lit up a room with his smile and engaging personality, there was not anyone he wasn’t willing to assist, he cared about individuals and credible organizations. He was a natural ambassador for The Billfish Foundation (TBF) taking of his time and effort when needed, in person and on Facebook, to explain to others the value of being a member of TBF. He was committed to advancing responsible sportfishing, conservation of billfish
TBF’s Juvenile Billfish Project Update
At the end of 2019, The Billfish Foundation announced the Juvenile Billfish Project. The Juvenile Billfish Project was created with our friend Dr. Freddy Arocha to fill the massive gap in knowledge of the early lives of billfish. Billfish have high mortality rates in their juvenile stages and there is little known about where they breed and spawn. As a result, it is impossible to track and study them using regular tagging methods. The Juvenile Billfish Project asks TBF members worldwide to send in photos and information about their sightings of juvenile billfish. With this information, we hope
A Great Man Will Be Missed
Captain Chris Sheeder grew up in Hawaii where the offshore fishing bug bit him hard at age 11 during his first trip, a treat for making good grades. He was recently described in InTheBite magazine as “a man whose humility and selflessness belies the fact that he’s caught over 35,000 billfish and refined many of the most common techniques used in the sport today, including many of today’s bluewater fly fishing techniques.” After fishing in Hawaii, he fished for Midway Sportfishing on Midway Island where he worked for five years inshore and offshore and began fly fishing for marlin
TBF’s Top Contributions of 2020
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 member, donate, visit our online shop, and follow us on social media
Anglers – Aquaculture Might Harm Forage Species & Your Catch
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 Agency are focusing on and providing federal funding for aquaculture/mariculture. The first two regions currently being evaluated for suitability include waters in the Gulf of Mexico and Southern California. Beginning in 2016 when the U.S. seafood trade deficit hit $14 billion, pressure began and is growing to cultivate the nation out of the seafood deficit. Honorable thought, but some reduction in the seafood trade deficit could come at the
2020 Tag & Release Competition Award Winners
Each year The Billfish Foundation recognizes the best of the best in the billfishing community to acknowledge the significant effort they contribute to our Tag & Release Program and billfish conservation. Since its inception in 1990, the program has accrued over 260,000 tag and release records, becoming the largest private billfish tagging database in the world. In the last year alone, TBF has collected over 6,000 records! The information gathered through tag and release efforts is invaluable to increase our understanding and better our management of billfish and preserve the sport we love. This is only possible through the efforts
Atlantic Bluefin December Subqota Adjustment
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 continue for the remainder of the fishing year. As a result, the December 2020 subquota is increased to a total of 28.9 mt with the standard additional retention limit of only one fish per day per trip. Please note that this action applies only to vessels with a commercial Atlantic Tunas General category permit or Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Headboat category permit with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing
2019-2020 Tag & Release Competition Ends
The deadline for tagging and releasing billfish for The Billfish Foundation’s 2019-2020 Tag and Release Competition was on October 31st, 2020. All records must received by TBF by the end of day on November 15th, 2020. There are two ways to submit your cards. The best way to ensure your cards are in on time is to submit them yourself at www.tagbillfish.org. If you do not want to do that, cards can be mailed to the address listed on the them. However, because COVID-19 has delayed shipping considerably, we recommend you mail your cards immediately if you intend
