News

March 28, 2018

Longline Research In Closed Zone: Do the Math

Last year’s halting of the federally permitted longline research inside a zone closed to the gear for 16 years off Florida’s east coast was a positive step for conservation and…

March 21, 2018

Assessing Florida’s Sailfish Population

Management of sailfish in the Atlantic Ocean falls under the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT), which is responsible for tuna and associated species like billfish. The…

March 16, 2018

Bluefin Tuna Angling Fishery Closes In Southern Atlantic

NOAA Fisheries has decided to close the Angling category fishery for large-medium and giant, “trophy,” Atlantic bluefin tuna in the southern area, beginning March 17, 2018 and lasting the rest…

March 15, 2018

2017 Recreational Billfish Landings Posted

The National Marine Fisheries Service this week released its fourth quarter update on 2017 recreational billfish landings, rounding out landing estimates for the year. These landing numbers come from a…

March 12, 2018

SAFMC Takes Action On Longline Research

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) considered over 600 written comments and heard public testimony last week, before voting to send a letter to NOAA Fisheries expressing their concerns…

March 2, 2018

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Fishery Closes Until June

The National Marine Fisheries Service transferred 10 metric tons (2,2046 pounds) of Atlantic bluefin tuna quota from the Reserve category to the General January sub-category, until that quota is landed…

March 1, 2018

Tag & Release Competition Winners Honored At Ceremony

The Billfish Foundation’s (TBF) Tag and Release Award winners, the “Who’s Who” in the billfishing world, were honored during the International Tag and Release Awards Ceremony at Miami’s Jungle Island on February…

February 26, 2018

Tell Policymakers to Keep Longlines Out of Conservation Zone

Note: the SAFMC public comment period ended on the day of the meeting, March 7, 2018. More comment periods will be coming, stay up to date by subscribing to our…

February 20, 2018

Awards Ceremony – 2017 Tag & Release Competition

February 13, 2018

Longline Research Permit Officially Announced Invalid

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) finally announced as “invalid” the Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) issued last year to a Nova Southeastern University (NSU) scientist granting permission to longline within…

February 12, 2018

NMFS Releases Dec. 2017 Summary of Bluefin Tuna Landings

Preliminary National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) statistics comparing Atlantic bluefin tuna landings in December 2017 to December 2016 indicate more fish were landed in 2017, but smaller in size and…

February 7, 2018

Billfish A Low-Value Food Item In Trinidad & Tobago

Recent images from the island nation of Trinidad & Tobago have again brought attention to the plight of billfish in the Caribbean. The photos show over a dozen billfish that…

February 7, 2018

Anglers’ Sunken Boat Likely ‘Human Error,’ Not Marlin

A group of anglers were rescued off the Boynton Beach Inlet Saturday morning after their boat was allegedly sunk by a massive marlin. However, their story has since been called…

January 31, 2018

Successful Buccaneer Cup Despite Wild Weather

The Billfish Foundation was honored to join the 55th annual Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Tournament as a benefiting charity this year. The tournament, held at Sailfish Marina in West Palm Beach,…

January 13, 2018

TBF’s Letter to Nova Southeastern University

January 12, 2018

Scientist Seeks to Advance Longline Research

NOVA Southeastern University Scientist and assistant professor, David W. Kerstetter, who received a federal Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) in 2017 to conduct longline research in Florida’s east coast closed zone,…

January 12, 2018

Proper Billfish Handling Techniques

We all want that epic photo. Whether it’s the most beautiful bonefish you’ve ever reeled in, a tasty grouper you’ve pulled up from the reef, and especially the mighty sailfish…

January 12, 2018

Australia’s First Grander Blue Marlin Caught New Year’s Day

The first day of the year could very well be the best day of the year for a group of anglers in Australia. On January 1, 2018 Captain Eddy Lawler…

January 10, 2018

Announcing TBF’s 2017 Tag & Release Competition Winners

Each year The Billfish Foundation recognizes the best of the best in the billfishing community to acknowledge the significant effort they contribute to our Tag & Release Program and billfish…

December 12, 2017

Reminder: Renew Your Fishery Permits Following Hurricane Season

The Southeast Permits Office of NOAA Fisheries is reminding permit holders that all limited access permits must be renewed by the termination date printed on the front of the permit.…

December 12, 2017

Charter/Headboat Vessels Will Need Endorsement For Catch Sales in 2018

Beginning January 5, 2018, NOAA Fisheries will require vessels with Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) Charter/Headboat permits to also obtain a “commercial sale” endorsement in order to sell any catch of…

December 12, 2017

General Bluefin Tuna Fishery Closes Despite Quota Transfer

The National Marine Fisheries Service has decided to close the General category fishery for large, medium, and giant Atlantic bluefin tuna for the rest of the year. The closure takes…

November 28, 2017

General Fishery For Atlantic Bluefin Reopens Thanks To Quota Transfer

The Atlantic bluefin tuna General fishery will reopen December 1 for the first time since early October, thanks to a transfer of quota. NOAA Fisheries is transferring 25.6 mt from…

November 27, 2017

2017 ICCAT Commission Meeting Concludes With Quota Shifts

More than 700 delegates from 47 member nations met in Marrakesh last week for the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) to discuss management strategies for several…

December 10, 2014

GULF & CARIBBEAN FISHERIES INSTITUTE HOLDS 67TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The Billfish Foundation (TBF) regularly seeks out and participates in conferences to learn and discuss regional fisheries issues with scientists, policy makers, and local communities. In early November, TBF attended…

November 13, 2014

RESULTS OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE FUTURE OF BERMUDA’S EEZ

Public Input on the Future of Bermuda’s EEZ In 2013, the Bermudian government began the ongoing process of evaluating options for the future management of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).…

April 10, 2014

TBF AT CASA VIEJA LODGE

If you ask any serious offshore angler where the best billfish action in the world is, chances are Casa Vieja Lodge (CVL) and Guatemala are one of the first answers…

March 25, 2014

RECREATIONAL FISHING AND BOATING COMMUNITY CALLS ON CONGRESS TO REVAMP MARINE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

Washington, D.C. – Congress is currently revising the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, the law that governs our nation’s marine resources. Recreational saltwater anglers and the sportfishing and boating…

March 24, 2014

PALAU ANNOUNCES A BAN OF ALL COMMERCIAL FISHING

On February 4th, 2014 the president of the Republic of Palau, Tommy Remengesau Jr., announced to the United Nation’s his intention to become the first country to close its entire…

March 10, 2014

BERMUDA’S PREMIER ORDERS EEZ NOT TO BE INCLUDED IN HAMILTON DECLARATION

Photo Credit: Bonnier On March 4th the Premier of Bermuda, Craig Cannonier, ordered that Bermuda’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) not be included within the Hamilton Declaration, a multi-lateral agreement for…

March 6, 2014

2014 TAG AND RELEASE CEREMONY RECAP

On February 13, 2014 The Billfish Foundation honored conservation achievements at the 2014 Tag and Release Ceremony held at Miami’s Jungle Island Treetop Ballroom in front of a crowd of more than…

December 19, 2013

A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR AUSTRALIA

Recreational fishing organizations in Australia are applauding the newly elected Liberal Party’s plans to suspend and reform the management plans for the nation’s network of marine reserves. The newly appointed…

December 5, 2013

2013 ICCAT NEGOTIATIONS PROTECTS U.S. SWORDFISH AND BLUEFIN SHARE

Photo Courtesy of Brian Cota The annual negotiations by member nations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) concluded in late November following intense negotiations over…

November 15, 2013

66TH ANNUAL GULF & CARIBBEAN FISHERIES INSTITUTE

This past November, TBF staff members attended the 66th Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) conference hosted by the Harte Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies of Texas A&M…

October 24, 2013

Bermuda – Potential Marine Reserve Could Stop Fishing in The Blue Marlin Capital

The Billfish Foundation (TBF) wants to make sure anglers in Bermuda are aware of recent developments calling for a no-take marine reserve in Bermudian waters. Organizations such as the PEW…

October 9, 2013

Get Hooked – Why People Love to Fish

July 31, 2013

TBF GOES TO JAPAN!

On July 25-28th, TBF’s Peter Chaibongsai took part in the Japan Game Fish Association’s (JGFA) Japan International Billfish Tournament (JIBT) off of Shimoda, Japan. Located several hundred miles south from…

June 11, 2013

TBF RELEASES STUDY ‘SPORTFISHING IN PANAMA: A NATURAL ECONOMIC GOLD MINE’

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A report released today by The Billfish Foundation (TBF) reveals that sportfishing has been a major factor in attracting tourists to Panama providing a valuable fishing-based…

June 6, 2013

THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIA’S MARINE RESERVES

This month, Australia is on the brink of establishing the world’s largest network of marine reserves that will cover close to 900,000 square miles including vast zones that would restrict…

June 1, 2013

STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT THE “OTHER SIDE” OF SPORTFISHING

Going out fishing is great, but did you ever wonder how science is involved with sportfishing? The Billfish Foundation’s (TBF) current educational program with LMR tackle, based out of Fort…

May 30, 2013

VICTORY FOR MARLIN IN NEW ZEALAND

A recent decision to prohibit the commercial harvest of marlin in New Zealand waters represents another victory for billfish conservation. Last year a reevaluation of the management of billfish and…

May 21, 2013

Sportfishing Socio-Economic Studies

The Billfish Foundation is a global leader in illustrating the social, economic, and environmental benefits of recreational fishing and fishing tourism activities. By uncovering the economic impact of recreational fishing…

May 8, 2013

SUPPORT BUILDING IN AUSTRALIA BY RESPECTED SCIENTISTS

Australia’s proposed network of marine reserves is threatening to close off close to a million square kilometers to anglers, but fortunately, several scientists and organizations have been working to try…

April 18, 2013

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…

March 23, 2013

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…

March 15, 2013

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…

January 30, 2013

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)…