2018 Recreational Atlantic Billfish Landings Updates

The table below provides the total number of billfish (January 1, 2018, through, December 31, 2018) landings in numbers of fish for Atlantic blue and white marlin, roundscale spearfish, and western Atlantic sailfish.  We can see as stated in a previous post, that the recreational community was below not only the 250 quota but almost on par with the 2017 numbers. Landings are compiled using self-reported angler reports from the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Non-Tournament Recreational Swordfish and Billfish Landings Database; tournament landings from the Atlantic Tournament Registration & Reporting (ATR) system; catch card

Angling Category Trophy Bluefin Tuna Fishery for Southern Area Closed

NOAA Fisheries determined that the Angling category southern area “trophy” bluefin tuna (measuring 73 inches or greater) subquota of 1.8 mt had been reached and exceeded and therefore closure of the southern area trophy bluefin tuna is warranted. The southern area is the area south of 39°18’N lat. (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ), outside the Gulf of Mexico. This closure was in effect as of 11:30 p.m., March 14, 2019, through December 31, 2019. Persons aboard vessels permitted in the Atlantic HMS Angling and Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat categories fishing recreationally in the southern area (defined

FADS FOR THE NORTH CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO APPROVED

The Proposed Okaloosa County (north central Gulf of Mexico) recreational fishing Buoy/Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) System was approved as a means to improve catches of billfish and other species. The stated hope of county officials is to transform the region from targeting reef fish (especially red snapper) to targeting pelagic fish, including billfish. The eight surface buoys, with no trailing lines, floats or attached streamers, will be placed inside DeSoto Canyon in water of 1,191 to 2,359 feet in depth. While many prefer FAD fishing for it saves time, fuel and usually places their boats where fish

Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Allocation Update

The Billfish Foundation recently submitted comments again to The South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council regarding the future management of a dolphin (mahi mahi) and wahoo fishery. The Amendment looks to modify the management strategy for mahi-mahi that would better ensure healthy population levels into the future. Central to protecting mahi-mahi is a restriction of pelagic longline gear by not authorizing the fishery an allocation. While these fish are known to reproduce and grow quickly, it takes only a few pelagic longline vessels to fish down a species. Whereas far less of an impact is made by individual

TBF’s 2019 Tag and Release Ceremony

Over 30 award winners from all over the world 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 and a pair of Costa Sunglasses, symbolizes a year of hard work, great fishing and/or boat and fish handling skills, plus a commitment to a future with billfishing. The data collected assists TBF and our scientists in learning more about these fish, such as their movement patterns, natural mortality

Kicking Plastic with Costa Sunglasses at the Miami Boat Show

The Billfish Foundation was honored to be a part of Costa Sunglasses’ Conservation Village, within the Miami Boat Show this year. The venue provided the platform for many conservation organizations, including The Billfish Foundation (TBF) and marine regulatory agencies, to exhibit and share their conservation message with show visitors. TBF was able to talk about the various work we have been working on like tagging program and our recent age and growth work on Atlantic blue marlin. The Village, popular with students of all ages, who seemed aware of the need for ocean conservation yet were unaware of the

Raising Bills with Casa Vieja Lodge!

The 3^rd Raising Bills hosted by Kirsten and David Salazar of Casa Vieja Lodge (CVL), a TBF Tagging & Release Program sponsor, was a huge success in raising bill$ for TBF! Generous sponsors included Cummins, Contender Boats, Sportsman Adventure, Bob Hewes Boats, Capt. Harry’s, Costa and Yeti. The party was laid back and a most enjoyable respite for industry leaders and VIP clients from the Miami Boat Show. Raising Billfish is a very popular event with flowing libations, great food, impressive raffle items, phenomenal entertainment by the Jay Valor Band. Guests supported the mutually beneficial cause of conserving billfish

New Winthrop P. Rockefeller Student Ocean Program Interns

WELCOME ABOARD! The Billfish Foundation is proud to announce the new Winthrop P. Rockefeller Student Ocean Program Interns for Spring 2019. This initiative carries on Win’s vision of responsible ocean and fish stewardship by providing valuable work experience to selected students and recent graduates. Please welcome the new Winthrop P. Rockefeller Student Ocean Program Interns. Katelin Cordero, a rising junior undergraduate from the University of Miami, FL, is concentrating on Marine Affairs and Ecosystem Science & Policy. Hailing from Philadelphia, she is working on creating content for our two youth publications, Sailfish and Spearfish. She is currently finalizing

Panama on the Chinese Maritime Silk Road?

Could China’s heavy financial investments in and aid to Panama along with the 47 recent trade agreements between the two nations possibly lead to a diminishment of Pacific fish stock abundance and sportfishing experiences in Panama?  Possibly. That was the fear among sportfishing and eco-tourism interests in Panama when recently learning that 13 large purse seine fishing vessels currently in Peru may soon be catching cobia and black skipjack tuna (bonito) off Panama, as part of an agreement with China. The purse seine caught fish are to be transshipped to a large Chinese processing vessel offshore in international

TBF Welcomes the International Game Fish Tournament Observers as a new Tag & Release Industry Sponsor!

The Billfish Foundation (TBF) is excited to announce the International Game Fish Tournament Observers (IGFTO) as a new Tag & Release Industry level sponsor. IGFTO support of our cornerstone program makes sense. IGFTO supports tournaments that advocate the release and conservation of the billfish species and those programs who study and protect game fish, making this collaboration with TBF a natural choice. Their team travel all over the world like Aruba, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic to authenticate the “Catch & Release” of billfish & game fish during big game fishing tournaments. Learn more about taking part in one of their