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

TBF SUBMITS OFFICIAL COMMENTS FOR DRAFT SWORDFISH AMENDMENT

On May 2, 2013 The Billfish Foundation submitted their official comments for Draft Amendment 8 for swordfish management in the United States as part of the Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries Management Plan. Draft Amendment 8 proposes the establishment of a new Open-Access Commercial Handgear Permit for Swordfish as a means to increase access to fishery and decrease the amount of unharvested quota. Even though the North Atlantic swordfish stocks are fully recovered, which represents a success story for international fisheries management, the U.S. has failed to catch its allocated quota in recent years. From 2007 to 2011

SUPPORT BUILDING IN AUSTRALIA BY RESPECTED SCIENTISTS

Australia’s proposed network of marine reserves is threatening to close off close to a million square kilometers to anglers, but fortunately, several scientists and organizations have been working to try and stop this from happening. A recent publication by Professor Robert Kearney in the Open Journal of Marine Science has echoed many of the points made by TBF and that the closures of vast marine zones are not logical or necessary for Australia to protect its marine resources. By some estimates, implementing these reserves will mean economic losses totaling in the billions, yet they will do little to protect

WELCOME PELAGIC GEAR AS A NEW TAG & RELEASE SPONSOR!

The Billfish Foundation would like to welcome Pelagic Gear as a new Tag & Release Sponsor! We are excited to have them on board to support and promote TBF’s Tag & Release Program. Pelagic joins Bisbee’s Black and Blue, Costa Sunglasses, and King Sailfish Mounts as Tag & Release Sponsors for 2013. Pelagic Gear has been a sponsor of TBF’s website section “In the Spread” for several years, but reaffirmed and increased their support of TBF’s main conservation program. This partnership works perfectly with Pelagic’s own Ocean Conservancy Project line. This project raises funds for organizations that are

TBF AT MARLINS PARK!

On May 1, nearly 10,000 students from across South Florida learned about weather and billfish at the eighth annual CBS 4 Weather Day. This event took place prior to the Miami Marlins game at Marlins Park. Elementary and middle school students came from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties to the ballpark and took part in a fun-filled, science-focused educational field trip. A number of the local CBS 4 meteorologists and NOAA hurricane experts spoke during the pre-game program designed to teach kids some basic concepts of weather and how these topics relate to living in South Florida

SID JOHNSON MEMORIAL CONSERVATION TROPHY PRESENTED IN TOBAGO

The winner of TBF’s first Sid Johnson Memorial Conservation Trophy was won by team Vesper from Trinidad for releasing the most billfish during the 2012 Southern Caribbean Billfish Circuit. The Vesper team includes boat owner Jerome Mcquilkin, Captain Gerard “Frothy” de Silva; mate Nigel Garcia, three anglers Derick Tardeau, Ayoub Kabli and James Layton. TBF president Ellen Peel presented the trophy to Captain Frothy at the Marlin Madness tournament for the rest of the team was competing in the Bonnier World Championship in Costa Rica. The late Sid Johnson from Trinidad was an early advocate for catch and release

WELCOME BISBEE’S FISH & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION FUND!

The Billfish Foundation would like to welcome Bisbee’s Fish & Wildlife Conservation Fund as a new Grand Slam Sponsor! We are excited to have them on board and working with them to lead TBF’s Tag & Release Program into the future. Bisbee’s Fish & Wildlife Conservation Fund (BFWCF) has partnered with The Billfish Foundation, top software developers, database experts, and environmental engineers to evaluate and redesign The Billfish Foundation’s Tag & Release program, software, and systems so that it may efficiently and effectively report a wide range of data to scientists around the world. With your help we will

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.’

CAM V. SIGLER, SR. MEMORIAL

Cam V. Sigler, Sr. age 71, passed away March 20, 2013 following a year- long battle with cancer. Cam was famously recognized as the man in the “Broad Brimmed Hat” and was known for his innovative outdoor products; particularly for the sport of saltwater fly fishing. Seasoned saltwater fly anglers are well acquainted with his acclaimed billfish flies, rods, reels and tackle. In 1968, Cam moved his family to the Pacific Northwest to accept a job with the Eddie Bauer Company. In 1986, he left Eddie Bauer to start his own business, The Cam Sigler Company, which is now

TBF IN TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

The beautiful Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI) is a collection of small islands within the British West Indies is known for its white sand beaches, amazing coral reefs, and great fishing opportunities. TBF staff member, Michael Kelly traveled to these pristine islands earlier this month to meet with many local stakeholders, including local fishermen and business owners from the commercial fishing, sportfishing, and tourism sectors. Unfortunately, the great offshore fishing opportunities may not be available for long. This past March, the TCI government signed an agreement with the South Caicos seafood exporter, Caicos Pride and the south