Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Fishery Closes Until June

The National Marine Fisheries Service transferred 10 metric tons (2,2046 pounds) of Atlantic bluefin tuna quota from the Reserve category to the General January sub-category, until that quota is landed or March 31. The agency anticipates that transferred quota will be landed  by March 2, 2018, after which vessels in the General Category and HMS Charter/Headboat Category must cease retaining, possessing, or landing large-medium or giant bluefin tunas. The entire General Category will remain closed until June 1, 2018, at which time 233.3 metric tons (514,338 pounds) will be available through

Tag & Release Competition Winners Honored At Ceremony

The Billfish Foundation’s (TBF) Tag and Release Award winners, the “Who’s Who” in the billfishing world, were honored during the International Tag and Release Awards Ceremony at Miami’s Jungle Island on February 16, 2018. Over 40 award winners from all over the world – from as far away as the Seychelles Islands, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, France, and Gabon – came to be recognized as some of the top anglers, captains and mates for tagging and releasing the most billfish in our competition year. Earning one of these prestigious awards, produced and donated by King Sailfish Mounts, symbolizes a year

Tell Policymakers to Keep Longlines Out of Conservation Zone

Note: the SAFMC public comment period ended on the day of the meeting, March 7, 2018. More comment periods will be coming, stay up to date by subscribing to our newsletter. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) is accepting public comments on the possibility of the federal government issuing a second Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) to allow pelagic longline research inside the closed zone of Florida’s east coast. The first federally issued permit for the research was invalidated in December 2017 when Nova Southeastern University (NSU) withdrew as a research partner. The NSU scientist remains as the principal

Awards Ceremony – 2017 Tag & Release Competition

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Longline Research Permit Officially Announced Invalid

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) finally announced as “invalid” the Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) issued last year to a Nova Southeastern University (NSU) scientist granting permission to longline within the 16-year closed conservation zone off the east coast of Florida. The research was halted by the NSU president after The Billfish Foundation (TBF) informed him of potential negative impacts to the university’s reputation. As TBF reported in January, the same scientist submitted a second EFP application, but only yesterday did the NMFS clarify the application is identical to the first one with the exception that NSU is removed

NMFS Releases Dec. 2017 Summary of Bluefin Tuna Landings

Preliminary National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) statistics comparing Atlantic bluefin tuna landings in December 2017 to December 2016 indicate more fish were landed in 2017, but smaller in size and less in total weight. The same was true for bluefin tuna landed in the General Category, handline and harpoon, fisheries during the two years. Also more bluefin tuna were landed by pelagic longline gear in December 2017 than in December 2016, but the average weight was higher. The total number of bluefin tuna landed in December 2017 by all commercial gear was 5091 fish, weighing 842 metric tons (1,856,273.2

Billfish A Low-Value Food Item In Trinidad & Tobago

Recent images from the island nation of Trinidad & Tobago have again brought attention to the plight of billfish in the Caribbean. The photos show over a dozen billfish that were landed in Trinidad by local fishers, who likely are unaware of the economic benefits a live marlin can bring to their nation if left in the water. The sportfishing eco-tourism trade leads to greater economic benefits and jobs for the community than the one-time-use of the fish as food. According to numerous locals with whom TBF’s management has spoken, fishers in fact prefer to catch other pelagic species

Anglers’ Sunken Boat Likely ‘Human Error,’ Not Marlin

A group of anglers were rescued off the Boynton Beach Inlet Saturday morning after their boat was allegedly sunk by a massive marlin. However, their story has since been called into question. The Sun Sentinel reports that a passing catamaran pulled the five men from the ocean as their boat sank within view of the shore. One of the men told the crew of the catamaran that a large marlin was responsible for sinking their 31-foot vessel, causing the boat to take on too much water before going under. Local, seasoned fishermen, however, say the cause was likely user

Successful Buccaneer Cup Despite Wild Weather

The Billfish Foundation was honored to join the 55th annual Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Tournament as a benefiting charity this year. The tournament, held at Sailfish Marina in West Palm Beach, FL was a fun and well-organized event in our local south Florida community. Captains and their teams gathered at the marina Thursday evening for registration. Fishing commenced Friday, Jan. 26 and lasted through Saturday, and despite the extremely “sporty” conditions 26 boats braved the seas to catch sailfish. All participating teams were congratulated for facing strong winds and massive swells, extreme even for south Florida winters. It paid off considering over 400

TBF’s Letter to Nova Southeastern University