Pacific Striped Marlin Rebuilding Plan

Western & Central Northern Pacific striped marlin, whose abundance, especially spawning-stock biomass, and size are greatly diminished and retain low priority within the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). This regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) is tasked with the management of this and other highly migratory species. Unfortunately, its interim rebuilding plan for the species which includes goals to be achieved by 2034 has no chance of success. More aggressive conservation and management measures by WCPFC to reduce post-release mortality need to be considered, which can be done with little impact on longlines catching its targeted species

Wind lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico

The proposed sale is part of the leasing project announced by the DOI in 2021 to meet the Biden administration’s goal to deploy thirty gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030.  BOEM began identifying areas in the Gulf of Mexico in late 2021, following findings from government studies that show the Gulf of Mexico’s shallow waters and proximity to oil and gas infrastructure make it promising for the expansion of a new offshore industry.  According to their studies, these areas presented the fewest apparent environmental and user conflicts identified as Wind Energy Areas (WEA). On February 23

New Age/Growth Study on Atlantic Blue Marlin and Swordfish need samples!

Scientists at the University of Maine need Atlantic blue marlin that weigh over 800 lbs and Atlantic swordfish over 500 lbs, specifically their heads, and the fork length measurement.  They are hoping to conduct an age and growth study of these big girls and confirm their ages by collecting hard parts, like their otoliths or ear bones. If you land or know someone who has landed one, please let us know! They are willing to pay for the shipping and packaging of each of them. Again, all the scientists need is the head of the Atlantic blue marlin and swordfish

Announcing TBF’s 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award Winners

The Billfish Foundation (TBF), the world’s leading sportfishing conservation organization for marlin, sailfish, spearfish, and associated highly migratory fish, announces this year’s winners of its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards.  TBF’s Lifetime Achievement Awards are named in honor of distinguished people who made exemplary contributions to advancing billfish research and conservation throughout their lives. This award is named in honor of John Rybovich, a former TBF board member and trailblazer in billfish conservation. As a founder of the Sailfish Conservation Club, the all-release Master’s Angling Tournament, the Tournament of Champions, and the Gold Cup, Rybovich focused on setting a standard

New Report of the Economic Contributions by Recreational Fishing Released

Last week, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) released the 2023 Economic Contributions of Recreational Fishing: U.S. Congressional Districts report, an update of previous data in partnership with Southwick Associates. The report highlighted the social and economic importance of sportfishing (saltwater and freshwater) across the United States and focused on the economic contributions to the respective state economies from anglers who live within each congressional district. The report stated that we have nearly 52 and a half million anglers in our respective saltwater and freshwater communities. We contribute $148 billion in economic output and support 945,500 jobs, while also contributing

2023 Tag and Release Ceremony Recap

TBF’s Annual Tag and Release Award Ceremony, held in February, was again a high-energy event during which top captains, anglers, and mates were honored for their conservation releases and data collection.  In Jungle Island’s Treetop Ballroom young guns exchanged stories, some meeting in person for the first time, while others were known from media coverage of their individual billfishing exploits.  With open bars, hors d’oeuvres, and great mojo throughout the room, each became silent when Costa presented its teaser video of their recent Striped Marlin satellite tagging expedition in Magdalena Bay. The footage included extraordinary imagery where they deployed

Proposed Restricted-Fishing Days in the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fishery

Under the proposed rule, NOAA Fisheries will establish RFDs every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from July 1 through November 30, 2023, and every Tuesday and Friday from December 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, while the fishery is open.  This means that  Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels may not fish for (including catch-and-release and tag-and-release), possess, retain, land, or sell a bluefin tuna of any size class on an RFD.  HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels may fish for, possess, retain, or land bluefin tuna recreationally under applicable HMS Angling category rules, but may not commercially fish for or land

TBF Welcomes Willis Custom Yachts as a Grand Slam Level Sponsor

The Billfish Foundation (TBF) is excited to announce and welcome aboard Willis Custom Yachts as a new Grand Slam level conservation partner. Willis Custom Yachts is committed to being the premier custom sportfish builder and also a full-service repair facility in the United States. “Willis Custom Yachts and I are proud to be a sponsor of the Billfish Foundation.  I have been a professional Boatbuilder and Sportfisherman for some 40 years.  I have seen firsthand the leadership in conservation that the Billfish Foundation has pioneered.  Our fisheries are stronger and more protected now than in previous generations. 

Closure: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category Southern Area Trophy Fishery

NOAA announced the closure of the Angling Category Southern Area Trophy Bluefin Tuna (the Southern Area is defined as the area south of 39°18’N lat. (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ), outside the Gulf of Mexico) as of 11:30 pm on February 22, 2023, until December 31, 2023. The closure is due to the 2.3 metric ton quota being reached and exceeded. This means that recreational fishermen aboard vessels with an Atlantic HMS Angling category or HMS Charter/Headboat permit (while fishing recreationally) may not retain, possess, or land large medium or giant Atlantic bluefin tuna (i.e., measuring 73 inches curved

TBF Endorses Fly and Chester Brewer to Serve on Fishery Management Councils

Robert “Fly” Navarro and Chester Brewer are currently seeking approval to serve on Fishery Management Councils (FMC) for the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic. Ellen Peel and The Billfish Foundation team fully support this notion, even submitting a letter of endorsement for both nominees to Governor Desantis.  As an organization focused on advancing conservation and proper management of billfish, TBF fully recognizes the importance of FMCs and the responsibility each member has to not only understand the fisheries and associated economies but to also work well with the state’s experts and consider all entities involved when making