As 2024 comes to a close, we hope you look back on a fantastic year of fishing with family and friends. Thanks to your unwavering support, The Billfish Foundation (TBF) accomplished some incredible milestones this year. Together, we’ve advanced billfish conservation, scientific research, and our shared passion for recreational fishing.
Highlights from 2024:
- Satellite Tagging Projects: Partnering with the University of Southern Mississippi and the University of Maine, we tagged billfish in South Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and Massachusetts, gathering vital data for stock assessments and fisheries management efforts. We also had our first 12-month satellite tag on a blue marlin which continuously reported data to us from the Gulf of Mexico for the entire year.
- Tournament Sampling: We increased our scientific sampling at tournaments, collecting rare but essential data like otoliths to improve management strategies.
- Scholarship and Advocacy: TBF awarded the inaugural Russell P. Nelson Scholarship to a PhD student and supported a dozen scientists presenting at the International Billfish Symposium.
- Global Impact: TBF presented at two major conferences, spotlighting our work and billfish research.
- Education/Outreach: We overhauled our website to better serve our supporters, streamlining access to educational resources and tagging efforts.
- Donate Here!
Looking Ahead
Challenges remain, and your help is crucial. TBF is closely monitoring policies like speed reduction zones, the Hudson Canyon proposed management, and the Atlantic shark depredation issue—all of which affect recreational fishing. In 2025, we also aim to expand satellite tagging efforts in key regions and collaborate with additional research institutions to get more billfish research done.Â
How You Can Help
Your year-end gift is more than a donation—it’s an investment in the future of billfish conservation and recreational fishing. Your support fuels vital billfish research, advocacy, and education via community engagement.
Thank you for your support and generosity, and best wishes during the holiday season.
