Angler Education
TBF RELEASES STUDY ‘SPORTFISHING IN PANAMA: A NATURAL ECONOMIC GOLD MINE’
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A report released today by The Billfish Foundation (TBF) reveals that sportfishing has been a major factor in attracting tourists to Panama providing a valuable fishing-based economic lift to the country. In 2011 (most recent data), 86,250 visitors fished in Panama. Those anglers and the rest of their travel companions spent $97 million on charter boats, fuel, food, lodging, and other related expenses. The number of anglers visiting Panama has doubled from 2001 to 2011 and the surge could only be the beginning, provided that fishing remains great and consumers are made aware
THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIA’S MARINE RESERVES
This month, Australia is on the brink of establishing the world’s largest network of marine reserves that will cover close to 900,000 square miles including vast zones that would restrict anglers from iconic fishing grounds in the Coral Sea. The science and regulatory processes used to design these reserves remains a very contentious issue and the debate still continues at the federal level. Approval of the reserves’ management plans by both the Lower (Representatives) and Upper (Senate) Houses of Parliament marks the final step before the reserves can be implemented.
STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT THE “OTHER SIDE” OF SPORTFISHING
Going out fishing is great, but did you ever wonder how science is involved with sportfishing? The Billfish Foundation’s (TBF) current educational program with LMR tackle, based out of Fort Lauderdale, actually allows young people to understand the “Science Behind Sportfishing,” while also participating in it. With assistance from the Fish Florida Grant, young people are discovering how school subjects like science and math are applied in the creation of some of the most popular fishing products. It also allows the kids to see that the recreational fishing community is not only limited to people fishing on the water
TBF BACK IN THE CLASSROOM
Not many people want to go back to school, one time through is enough for many, but that is exactly what The Billfish Foundation’s Peter Chaibongsai did last week at the La Jolla Country Day school in La Jolla, California. TBF was invited by Mr. Christopher Uyeda, a science teacher, to present to several classes on the importance of the conservation of recreational fish stocks and why programs like TBF’s Tag & Release program are essential for billfish conservation. Chaibongsai spoke about TBF and our mission to conserve billfish populations worldwide as well as those communities dependent on healthy
LOCAL SOFLO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT & TEACHER WIN PRESTIGIOUS AWARD
TBF and Carey Chen inspired Shark Wall Mural done by South Broward High School StudentsEvery year, National Week of the Ocean, Inc. honors community leaders and marine educators. This year, two of the recipients Jessica Jessup (a senior) and Susan Ostheim from South Broward High School, will be recognized for their work on a mural they did with The Billfish Foundation (TBF) over the past year. TBF would congratulate them since they will be recognized as ‘Week of the Ocean Student of the Year and Teacher of the Year.’
How You Can Help Conserve Billfish
Learn more about how you can help conserve billfish, by fishing responsibly, releasing your catch, and joining TBF! Become actively involved in TBF’s Tag & Release Program! Traditional tagging data has provided scientists with half of the data currently available to the scientists who study billfish. Be a part of this and tag your next billfish. To order tagging supplies go to our online store. Experience the thrill of releasing a live, healthy billfish to fight another day! Catch-and-release fishing has become a widely used conservation tool for these magnificent creatures. Learning how to release your billfish healthy and unharmed
What are billfish?
In General Terms- The term “Billfish” refers to various predatory fish species typically belonging to the taxonomical family Istiophoridae. Their biological characteristics include a spear-like rostrum or “bill,” which is used for slashing at and stunning prey. The dorsal fin of these species runs along a large part of their body and narrow pelvic fins. Billfish can be found spread throughout the worlds oceans and are defined as highly migratory species but typically reside in tropical or sub-tropical waters. The prey of these apex predators differs from a variety of small fishes to crustaceans and cephalopods (i.e. squid)
YOUTH FISHING CLINIC WITH KEY BISCAYNE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Do you remember the first time you tied your first knot or caught your first fish? On April 7th 2013, young people and their parents did just that with the Key Biscayne Community Foundation (KBCF) Citizen Scientist Project at Bill Baggs State Park in Key Biscayne, Florida. Multiple stations were set up for the kids with the goal of creating ethical anglers by teaching the basics of sportfishing and by educating them on their local environment.
TBF ASSISTS WITH CARIBBEAN BILLFISH WORKSHOP IN FORT LAUDERDALE
Fort Lauderdale, FL – On March 19 and 20, stakeholders and experts from over 11 countries and 10 organizations descended upon south Florida and took part in a workshop to discuss and develop a billfish management and conservation plan for the nations and overseas territories under the jurisdiction of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC). The Billfish Foundation (TBF), the International Gamefish Association (IGFA), the World Bank, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) worked to together to host this workshop that is a steps in the right direction for billfish conservation in the region. Currently there is
