Australia – Still A Chance for Anglers Opposing Marine Protected Areas
While many environmental groups are praising Australia and claiming victory, all is not said and done for the establishment of Australia’s National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas (NRSMPA) and there is still hope for anglers down under. The proposed system of reserves will shut out anglers from large areas of ocean including more than half a million square kilometers in the Coral Sea region. All bring done despite the lack of sound scientific justification for doing so. If the management plans for the proposed reserves are passed then it could mean billions in losses for important industries including
FISHERIES ECONOMICS OF THE UNITED STATES REPORT RELEASED
The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released the annual edition of Fisheries Economics of the United States for 2011, highlighting the economic impact of both recreational and commercial fishing. In 2011, 11 million recreational anglers took 70 million saltwater fishing trips and generated $70 billion in sales impacts, $32 billion in value added impacts, and supported over 455,000 jobs nationally. Taking a further look at the expenditures of U.S. anglers in 2011, a total of $4.5 billion in angler expenditures were related specifically to fishing trips with $2 billion of this for private boat-based fishing trips
The Billfish Foundation’s Mission
The Billfish Foundation believes in conservation through sportfishing by using Research, Education, and Advocacy. Support TBF and ensure that fishing opportunities are available for future
TBF’S TAG AND RELEASE AWARD CEREMONY
On February 13, 2015 The Billfish Foundation will honor conservation achievements at the 2015 Tag and Release Ceremony held at Miami’s Jungle Island Treetop Ballroom. The Tag and Release Ceremony sponsored by Bisbee’s Black and Blue recognized the 42 winners of the 2012 Tag and Release Competition and award winners received beautiful trophies sponsored by King Sailfish Mounts. All award winners in attendance received sunglasses courtesy of Costa and overall winners each received a lure from Bonze Lures. TBF’s Overall Tagging Angler Winner for all species (any combination of blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, white marlin, sailfish and/or spearfish) included Juan
‘A Night in Atlantis’
Don’t miss The Billfish
WHITE MARLIN AS THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES NOT WARRANTED BY NMFS
On January 30, 2013 the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) released the 90-day finding on the two petitions received from Mr. James Chambers and the Center For Biological Diversity (CBD) to list white marlin (Kajikia albidus) as an endangered or threatened species. NMFS concluded “these petitions do not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating the petition action may be warranted.” Previously petitioned by the same parties in 2001, NMFS determined that white marlin did not warrant listing according to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The possibility of white marlin listed as threatened or endangered also occurred in 2006
BIG GAME ROOM CELEBRATES 10 YEARS WITH CAROLINA SKIFF AND THE BILLFISH FOUNDATION
Miami, FL – The Big Game Room, the place to explore the latest that sport fishing has to offer is celebrating this year. Ten years ago, the producers of the Miami International Boat Show (NMMA) were approached by a group of tournament organizers and big game fishing enthusiasts to create a one stop expo for everything big game fishing related within the confines of the Miami International Boat Show. From these humble beginnings, the Big Game Room has grown and we are thrilled to be celebrating 10 years in 2013. The Billfish Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, that works
BILLFISH ART EXHIBIT
What do you get with you combine creative high school students, The Billfish Foundation (TBF), and blank mounts from King Sailfish Mounts? After a several weeks, you get beautifully unique art pieces. On December 5, 2012, TBF was honored to take part in an exhibit that displayed all these pieces at the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood. Over 100 people came to the opening night of the art exhibit named, “ART & THE BILLFISH.” It displayed a number of unique billfish-related art pieces by members from the National Art Honor Society & Photography Club. The evening also consisted
TBF SUBMITS LETTER TO NMFS OPPOSING EXEMPTED FISHING PERMITS
On December 18th 2012, The Billfish Foundation submitted a letter on behalf of its members regarding the potential issuance of Exempted Fishing Permits (EMPs) that would allow longline vessels to fish in two closed zones – the Charleston Bump and the East Florida Coast. Established in 2001 as means to reduce bycatch of billfish and discards of undersized swordfish, these spatial closures have been an instrumental part in strengthening the sport fishery along the eastern coast of the United States. Both anecdotal evidence from anglers and captains as well as stock assessments in recent years have shown that billfish
TEACH A KID TO TAG, MAKE A MEMORY FOREVER
Lighthouse Point,FL – Do you remember the first billfish you hooked into? The amazementyou felt when you watched it jump and dart through the water? The burningfeeling in your arms as you cranked in the last bit of mainline, but you hadtoo much pride to dare complain about how tired you were as you watched yourfirst billfish swim away from the boat with a bright orange tag in it’s back.Remember that excitement? Imagine taking a day off from high school classes tocatch your first sailfish—what could be much better? TBF’s Andrew Cox teaches a student the proper way
