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
YOUTH FISHING CLINIC WITH KEY BISCAYNE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Do you remember the first time you tied your first knot or caught your first fish? On April 7th 2013, young people and their parents did just that with the Key Biscayne Community Foundation (KBCF) Citizen Scientist Project at Bill Baggs State Park in Key Biscayne, Florida. Multiple stations were set up for the kids with the goal of creating ethical anglers by teaching the basics of sportfishing and by educating them on their local environment.
TBF TALKS CONSERVATION AT SLACK TIDE GUIDE GATHERING
On a recent March afternoon along the beautiful intracoastal waterway in Jensen Beach, Florida, the first annual Slack Tide Guide Gathering was hosted byCosta, YETI, Simms, and Hell’s Bay Boat Works. With more than 100 charter captains from across Florida and as far as Washington and the Mid-Atlantic, there was much anticipation for a full day of events, great food, and the much anticipated ‘Guide Challenge’. In addition to new product highlights from each of these conservation minded companies, the event organized several different talks by industry professionals about the ways to expand and grow charter businesses. The talks
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
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
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
