U.S. – Implementation Challenges for The Billfish Conservation Act
The Billfish Conservation Act (BCA) of 2012 was signed into law on October 5, 2012 creating a positive step for billfish conservation! The Billfish Conservation Act will prohibit the sale or the possession with the purposes of offering billfish (sailfish, marlin, and spearfish) for sale in the United States. Two exceptions in section 4(c) are present that allow domestic vessels in Hawaii and the Pacific Insular Area to harvest and sell billfish. Additionally, the exemptions allow foreign vessels to land billfish in Pacific Insular Areas for exports of billfish outside of the United States. The final step needed
TBF ASSISTS WITH CARIBBEAN BILLFISH WORKSHOP IN FORT LAUDERDALE
Fort Lauderdale, FL – On March 19 and 20, stakeholders and experts from over 11 countries and 10 organizations descended upon south Florida and took part in a workshop to discuss and develop a billfish management and conservation plan for the nations and overseas territories under the jurisdiction of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC). The Billfish Foundation (TBF), the International Gamefish Association (IGFA), the World Bank, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) worked to together to host this workshop that is a steps in the right direction for billfish conservation in the region. Currently there is
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
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
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
BLUEWATER ISSUE 94 – INTRODUCE SOMEONE NEW TO FISHING
We all fish for different reasons. Whatever the motivation we build a collection of individual fishing accomplishments. Through this lifelong journey you will always remember who taught you to fish and your enjoyment the first time you felt a tug on the other end of your line. This created the first page of your ‘Book of Angling Firsts’. With each accomplishment you add or a new page or chapter, something you can look back upon with joy. However, in my opinion, giving someone the opportunity to catch their own ‘first’ is something that will give you a new sort
Billfish Tagging 101
Learn how to properly tag billfish and why reporting your catches are important from two fishing authorities – John Brownlee and
Ladies Fish Off
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Bouncer SWO
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