Our New Conservation Record is out!
TBF’s 2021 Conservation Record has officially been completed and the results are in! Sometimes it can be hard to summarize all the hard work done in a year’s time, but this report acts as a really good start. In total, there were 11,822 new data entries added to The Billfish Foundation’s database in 2021, […]
Costa’s Marlin-Fly Project
For years, we have all heard about the amazing fishery and waters in Magdalena Bay, Mexico. From the hookups of doubles, triples, and quads of striped marlin with daily releases in the triple digits, it is not surprising that a number of our tag and release winners utilize this incredible location to secure some of our top annual awards. While the fishery as a whole may be renowned by offshore anglers, our current knowledge about the striped marlin fishery in particular is merely surface level. As always, our goal is to conserve, educate, and promote sustainable fishing in locations
TBF Welcomes our newest Winthrop P Rockefeller Intern – Addie Spain
We would like to introduce our newest Winthrop P. Rockefeller Student Ocean intern, Adelaide Spain! She is currently a senior at the University of Miami studying Marine Affairs and Classics with a minor in Sustainable Business. She’s hoping to enter the field of Maritime Law. Experienced in the sportfishing circuit, she has developed a strong interest in the process of integrating conservation techniques into both the tournament and recreational fishing industries. During her time with TBF, we’ll help her gain an understanding of sportfishing conservation, and to represent responsible users of marine resources. Welcome aboard, Addie! Click here if
Tag Card Completion Guide
The Tag & Release Program is the cornerstone conservation program of The Billfish Foundation. Created in 1990, it was established to remedy the large gaps in knowledge of billfish life history. As a result, it has created the largest private billfish tagging database in the world, with over 270,000 records. The Tag & Release Program relies on Captains, anglers, and mates across the world to tag, release, and recapture billfish. It is a global citizen science effort that relies on the collective dedication of thousands of participants. However, it is not enough just to tag or release
TBF Attends ICAST 2021
For the first time in over a year, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) was held in Orlando, FL. This trade show brought the fishing community together and allowed everyone to see new products and meet with representatives from over hundreds of fishing related companies. Thousands of attendees from were present at the international trade show and this marked one of the first large trade shows held at the Orlando Convention Center since the pandemic began in 2020. The latest edition of the show highlighted some of the current products and technology as well as introducing new
Where Has TBF Been In 2021?
With travel opening up, the TBF Team hit the road (or, more accurately, the water) to promote conservation. It’s our goal to be everywhere the action happens, representing billfish conservation and advocating for the recreational fishing community. Here’s where we’ve been so far this year!
With all of our travel, plus our work in advocating for responsible fisheries management, managing our Tag & Release Program, creating youth education materials, and more, 2021 is shaping up to be an exciting year for TBF! Make sure you get involved by becoming
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
2019 Conservation Record: Black Marlin
The Billfish Foundation maintains the largest private tag and release database in the world, with over 260,000 records. In 2019 alone, over 11,000 new tag, release, and recapture records were added to this database, representing an enormous amount of data to help us learn more about billfish life history. Of these over 11,000 new records in 2019, 502 were of black marlin, including one black marlin recapture. 66% of black marlin were released without tags, while 34% were tagged. To learn more about how to identify a black marlin, check out our youtube channel! A total of 172 black
Kicking Plastic and Billfish Education at Costa’s Conservation Village
For the second year in a row, Costa Sunglasses hosted their Conservation Village in the Miami International Boat Show to educate showgoers about ocean conservation and encourage them to help out in the fight to #KickPlastic! The Village began with ocean research and advocacy groups from all over Florida, which shared the important message of ocean stewardship. Adults and students alike flowed through the tent, learning how they can make simple changes in their lives to help safeguard the health of oceans, humans and animals that rely on them. Throughout the weekend, The Billfish Foundation educated hundreds of visitors
