2016 TAG & RELEASE COMPETITION WINNERS
The Billfish Foundation’s (TBF) Tag and Release Award winners, the “who’s who” in the billfishing world will be honored during the International Tag and Release Awards Ceremony at Miami’s Jungle Island on February 17, 2017. Earning one of the prestigious awards, produced and donated by King Sailfish Mounts, symbolizes a year of hard work, great fishing and/or boat and fish handling skills plus a commitment to a future with billfishing. Leaders in the sportfishing industry sponsor the Tag and Release Program and Ceremony and include Costa Sunglasses, PELAGIC Gear, Casa Vieja Lodge, Garmin Inc., YETI Coolers, Marina Casa de Campo, International Game Fish Tournament
TBF SUBMITS COMMENTS ON AMENDMENT 5B – DUSKY SHARKS
The Billfish Foundation (TBF) recently submitted comments to the proposed regulations included in Amendment 5b to the Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan – regarding the reduction of dusky shark mortality. Learn why the current preferred measures for recreational fishing as written will have direct, and significant, negative impacts on non-shark recreational fisheries. Read our comments
TBF SUBMITS COMMENTS ON THE PACIFIC BLUEFIN FISHERY
On December 12th, The Billfish Foundation’s (TBF) submitted official comments on Pacific Bluefin Tuna (PBFT) being potentially listed in the Endangered Species Act. Learn why PBFT potential listing would be more symbolic in nature as a conservation measure and would be a detrimental to the recreational fishing community in the region. A better solution for PBFT would be for the U.S. to lead a campaign to list Pacific Bluefin tuna under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), which focuses solely on protecting species at risk from commercial exploitation internationally by prohibiting international
The Billfish Foundation’s Annual Gala “Back to the 80s”
TBF’s “Back to the 80’s, When it all Began” 30th Anniversary Gala was a fun success! TBF’s annual party has become THE sportfishing event to attend during the week of the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, this year was no exception! TBF appreciates the great support it received from a wide array of sponsors, donors, volunteers and great guests who purchased for the good of billfish and billfishing! Special Congrats go to Rybovich Award Recipients Capt Red Bailey, Bonnie Powell, and
MANY WAYS TO SUPPORT TBF!
Our success would not have been possible without the support of countless individuals and organizations. Please take a few moments to review the many ways you can give financially to TBF. For any questions about membership, memorials, tributes or other current gifts, please contact [email protected] or call Deborah at 800-438-8247, x106. To discuss any other planned gifts, contact [email protected] or call Robert at 800-438-8247, x113
MANY WAYS TO SUPPORT TBF!
Members and friends of The Billfish Foundation have a long tradition of generous giving to support the many vital programs furthering the mission of conserving billfish worldwide. Since its founding in 1986, TBF’s achievements have been significant. Our success would not have been possible without the support of countless individuals and organizations. Please take a few moments to review the many ways you can give financially to TBF. For any questions about membership, memorials, tributes or other current gifts, please contact [email protected] or call Deborah at 800-438-8247, x106. To discuss any other planned gifts, contact [email protected] or call
BACK TO THE 80’S LIVE AUCTION PREVIEW
Take a peek at some of the items we have in store for you to bid on for our live auction at our annual fundraiser, Back to the 80’s! Be sure to bid high, as all the proceeds go to billfish conservation! For more information on the event and to purchase your tickets or table, click here. BLUE MARLIN SAT TAGGING EXPEDITION – Be part of TBF’s 2017 blue marlin satellite tagging expedition in the Gulf of Mexico. Building off past expeditions, join TBF for a thrilling and gratifying experience fishing for blue marlin, satellite tagging them, and learning more about
TBF MOBILE APPLICATION GOES LIVE!
Over the past 26 years, the sportfishing community has provided The Billfish Foundation (TBF) with over 220,000 tag and release records, making it the largest private billfish database worldwide. The data received helps marine researchers gain insight into migratory patterns, growth rates, habitat usage, and the overall health of billfish stocks around the world. A vast majority of those records used to be received on our traditional cards via post, but with TBF’s online system launch several years ago, there has been an incredible 45% increase in reported data from anglers, captains, and mates since 2014. With a large shift of people moving from desktop users into mobile devices, TBF wanted to make it easier and more convenient for the
Pacific Fishery Management Council (FMC) meets this week
The FMC is accepting public comment on its consideration of harvest specifications under an Exempted Fishing Permit for highly migratory fish caught by longline vessels fishing within the U.S. West Coast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) “for limited testing, public display, data collection, exploratory, health and safety, environmental cleanup, and/or hazard removal purposes, the target or incidental harvest of species managed under an FMP [fishery management plan] or fishery regulations that would otherwise be prohibited.” The FMC also continues its discussion to identify criteria for issuing an exempted fishing permit for a future deep-set buoy gear for swordfish and other
TBF MOBILE APPLICATION GOES LIVE!
Over the past 26 years, the sportfishing community has provided The Billfish Foundation (TBF) with over 220,000 tag and release records, making it the largest private billfish database worldwide. The data received helps marine researchers gain insight into migratory patterns, growth rates, habitat usage, and the overall health of billfish stocks around the world. A vast majority of those records used to be received on our traditional cards via post, but with TBF’s online system launch several years ago, there has been an incredible 45% increase in reported data from anglers, captains, and mates since 2014. With a large shift of people moving from desktop users into mobile devices, TBF wanted to make it easier and more convenient for the
