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

2021 Tag & Release Awards Ceremony Recap

The Billfish Foundation’s 2021 Tag & Release Awards Ceremony took place on February 12th on Facebook Live. Like our 2020 Gala, the Awards Ceremony was virtual due to COVID-19. While we missed seeing all of our award winners in person, we loved the opportunity to engage with our less local constituents who would not normally be able to attend the ceremony, but logged in to enjoy the online festivities with us.  The Awards Ceremony kicked off with a weeklong online raffle wherein participants could purchase items from TBF’s online shop, shop.billfish.org, to earn raffle tickets. The winner took home

Honoring Jack Duvall, Chairman of The Billfish Foundation’s Board of Directors

With sadness and pride The Billfish Foundation (TBF) honors the late John “Jack” P. Duvall, Chairman of its Board of Directors for the second time, who passed away recently.  Jack, from Kemah, Texas, joined TBF’s Board on November 1, 2011 after having been an active TBF Chairman’s Club member for years.  Jack is survived by his son, John P. Duvall, Jr., who we thank for his service to our nation as a career Marine Officer. Jack and his late wife, Pam, fished together from East Cape, Mexico for over 35 years, making friends and releasing marlin, especially striped

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