One More Federal Dismissal of Billfish

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 some management strategies that can help recreational fishing.  The large databases reflect the contributions over decades of anglers, captains and crews, who deployed tags and reported their release data and data for a recaptured tagged billfish. A majority of what is known about billfish stems from the traditional tagging data resources. So supporting the billfish tagging program should be a priority for NMFS, NOT SO. The NMFS

Is the US West Coast Going From Drift Gill Nets to Longlines?!?

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 proposes to transition the current swordfish drift gillnet fishery to a longline fishery by allowing 19 longline vessels, shallow-set and deep-set longlines, to fish between 12 to 200 miles in federal waters off the U.S. West Coast, which TBF does not endorse this gear. Nine other permit applications were submitted, including Deep-Set Buoy Gear, Linked Buoy Gear, Night Set Buoy Gear including fishing in state waters, and Mid-Water

Reallocation of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna for Angling Category

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, Purse Seine, Trap, Reserve). The Purse Seine category is being abolished and its tonnage reallocated since those vessels have landed any bluefin since 2015, due to regulatory size restraints, but their tonnage was leased to Longline Category vessels. The redistribution will result in slight increases in the Angling Category now spread over 4 sub-allocation areas instead of 3 with the division of the Northern area into two areas

NMFS Designates Bullet and Frigate Mackerel as Ecosystem Component Species

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 species do not warrant current management on their own, but the designation helps achieve FMP objectives by increasing awareness of their importance to pelagic predators. Bullet and frigate mackerel are important prey species for pelagic dolphin and wahoo, with mackerel being wahoo’s dominant forage species. Mackerel are also important components of tuna and marlin diets.  More Amendment 12 information is available on the Federal Registrar website.  The

The Billfish Foundation Joins Center for Sportfishing Policy

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 of marine resources. They do this by mobilizing fisheries stakeholders to affect real political change for the good of anglers and fisheries everywhere. At TBF, our mission is to conserve billfish and advocate for the recreational fishing community. As a result, it made perfect sense to align with CSP in order to maximize our positive impact for conservation. In the words of CSP President, Jeff Angers, “The Billfish

Gulf of Mexico Closed & Atlantic Ocean Adjusted for Bluefin Tuna Angling

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 bluefin tuna 73″ (curved fork length) or greater in the Gulf of Mexico. This closure affects all anglers on a vessel with an Atlantic HMS Angling Category permit or an Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permit (when fishing recreationally) and is in effect for the remainder of 2021. The fishery is closing because it has met its 1.8mt quota. The Gulf of Mexico is an important spawning location for bluefin

Atlantic Bluefin Southern Area Trophy Fishery Closed to Angling

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. The Southern Area Trophy Fishery includes the Atlantic area south of 39°18’N lat. (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ). It does not include the Gulf of Mexico. The Angling Category includes fishermen aboard vessels with an Atlantic HMS Angling category or Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permit (fishing recreationally). The 1.8-mt  Southern Area “trophy” bluefin tuna (73″ or greater) subquota has been reached and exceeded, causing the closure. Now, fishermen within

Recreational Fishing Gear, Bottom Trawls & Pelagic Longline Gear Are NOT the Same!!

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 Areas (MPA). The EO, signed by Biden, calls for closing 30% of U.S. ocean waters to fishing, including recreational fishing, by 2030 through the MPAs. This is not the first time such a strategy has been raised, very large marine protected areas in various regulatory (marine monuments, wildlife refuges, sanctuaries, marine reserves, etc) forms have preceded the current initiative. Through the US Ocean Action Policy in 2006, the

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