News

September 12, 2022

Gulf of Mexico Restoration Plan

Since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010, a group of federal representatives have continued to assess and develop recovery strategies for injured…

September 12, 2022

Costa Rica’s Tuna Reform Law – Billfish Impacts Uncertain

As reported recently in the Tico Times, a new Costa Rican tuna law requires all purse seine vessels (none of which are owned by Costa Rican interests) to fish outside of…

September 7, 2022

Bluefin Quota Allocation Transfer – Sept 2022

NMFS transferred 90.5 metric tons of Atlantic bluefin tuna from the Reserve Category to the General Category for the remainder of this month to cover a 20.5 metric ton quota…

September 1, 2022

TBF Welcomes our newest Winthrop P Rockefeller Intern – Addie Spain

We would like to introduce our newest Winthrop P. Rockefeller Student Ocean intern, Adelaide Spain! She is currently a senior at the University of Miami studying Marine Affairs and Classics…

August 10, 2022

New Findings on Striped Marlin Migrations

The following was released by the Pacific Islands Fisheries Group and the Large Pelagics Research Center: The most comprehensive effort to date to characterize striped marlin (Kajikia audax) movements in the Central North…

August 10, 2022

Estimating Pelagic Longline Bycatch

Over the years, Dr. C. Phillip Goodyear, TBF’s billfish scientist has developed “species distribution models” for highly migratory species that estimate time-varying, three-dimensional distribution of habitat. These models are useful…

July 7, 2022

Mahi Mahi Summer July 2022 Update

Following the implementation of Amendment 10 to the Atlantic Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery Management Plan in May 2022, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) issued Regulatory Amendment 3 to…

July 5, 2022

Hudson Canyon Proposed for a National Marine Sanctuary Designation

Continued authorization of recreational fishing within the new Sanctuary is essential to the industry and continued great fishing opportunities for citizens throughout the U.S. The designation comes as part of…

July 3, 2022

Atlantic Shark Tournament Generates Heat

East Coast anglers frustrated by the federal government’s failure to take any meaningful action to reduce Atlantic shark depredations on angler-hooked fish have scheduled a shark tournament for July 9.…

July 1, 2022

Sales of Offshore Commercial Wind Energy Leases off all U.S. coasts

Sales of Offshore Commercial Wind Energy Leases off all U.S. coasts were first offered by BOEM (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Department of the Interior) off the East Coast in…

June 24, 2022

Fight Against Illegal Fishing by Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA)

Countries are robbed of an estimated $26-50 billion annually due to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). IUU fishing is defined as any fishing operations outside of current regulations…

June 15, 2022

Effects of Circle Hooks on Sharks and Rays – IATTC Review

In March of this year, the 1st Circle Hook Workshop of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) commenced. The goal was to analyze “scientific information regarding different circle hooks sizes…

June 8, 2022

Domestic Updates – June 2022

Closed Zones Currently in Government Crosshairs The 20-year plus Closed Zones off the East Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico that greatly improved recreational fishing in the regions, now…

June 6, 2022

Laughable Government Options for Shark Depredation

The current National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) attempts to address the Atlantic shark depredation problem offers no realistic solution for reducing occurrences. The agency offered suggestions to mitigate the problem…

June 3, 2022

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Public Input on Gulf of Mexico Aquaculture Environmental Impact

To identify Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOA), NOAA uses science-based guidance, economic assessments, and social support. Key Message: Why Is This Happening? On May 7, 2020, the White House issued an…

June 3, 2022

Colombia and Panama Updates – June 2022

Sportfishing Banned in Colombia – Beginning in 2023 The Supreme Court of Colombia recently ruled that sportfishing, even catch and release, amounts to torture, thus prohibiting the sport in marine…

May 24, 2022

TBF’s New Tag and Release Web Application is Live!

TBF is excited to announce the release of its new tag and release web application. Complete with a more user-friendly interface, personalized fishing history, and a revamped mobile phone application,…

May 17, 2022

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category Gulf of Mexico Fishery Update

After 11:30 p.m., May 17, 2022, fishermen aboard Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling or HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels may not retain, possess, or land large medium or giant Atlantic…

May 10, 2022

May 2022 Tag & Release Competition Update

Can you believe we are already halfway through our annual competition?!?! Listed below are current standings for top captains and anglers in each category for The Billfish Foundation’s Tag &…

May 9, 2022

Amendment 13 – Atlantic Bluefin Individual Tuna Quota update

Amendment 13 to the HMS Fishery Management Plan – Bluefin Tuna Earlier in May 2022, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued its Final Environmental Impact Review (FEIR) of the…

May 6, 2022

Changes to the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna For the Angling Category Fishery

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced increases to all Fishing Categories and has now defined what those limitations are for the Angling Category. Several months prior, TBF requested the…

May 6, 2022

Recent Mahi Mahi News

New Florida Mahi Mahi (Dolphinfish) Regulations Create Inconsistencies with Federal Regulations Currently, the federal South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s (SAFMC) Amendment 10 for Dolphin-Wahoo allows 10 fish per person per…

April 18, 2022

Help Reduce Atlantic Shark Depredation

The NMFS has achieved predator-rich relationships with sharks and other species beyond what some scientists describe as “equilibrium.” The result is heavy shark predation of other fish stocks important to…

April 12, 2022

INCREASES in Atlantic Bluefin Angling Category

A few months back, TBF requested the NMFS increase the allocation of Atlantic bluefin tuna to all segments within the Recreational Fishing Category. In March 2022, the agency announced increases…

June 20, 2017

THE BILLFISH FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2017 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS

Today, 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…

May 11, 2017

TBF ADDING TWO NEW LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Two new lifetime achievement awards have been added to TBF’s annual recognition of excellence in advancing billfish conservation. The first new award is the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Individual Lifetime Achievement…

March 14, 2017

TBF’S 2017 ARTIST OF THE YEAR – DENNIS FRIEL

TBF proudly announces the selection of South Florida native Dennis Friel as its 2017 Artist of the Year. “Combustion” by Dennis Friel Dennis fondly recalls “as a kid growing up…

March 6, 2017

The Billfish Foundation’s International Tag & Release Awards – 2016 Award Winners

January 24, 2017

TBF’S TAGGING PROGRAM HERALDED

A recently released analysis of the NMFS Cooperative Tagging Program between January 2006 and December 2015 by Caitlyn Savoia, a graduate student at the University of Miami, documented that during…

January 19, 2017

TBF WELCOMES 20ECHO AS A TAG & RELEASE PROGRAM SPONSOR!

The Billfish Foundation (TBF) proudly announces that 20echo is its newest Tag and Release Program sponsor, joining Casa Vieja Lodge, Costa Sunglasses, Garmin, King Sailfish Mounts, Pelagic Gear, and Yeti in support of the scientific data collecting program.…

January 16, 2017

2016 TAG & RELEASE COMPETITION WINNERS

The Billfish Foundation’s (TBF) Tag and Release Award winners, the “who’s who” in the billfishing world will be honored during the International Tag and Release Awards Ceremony at Miami’s Jungle…

December 5, 2016

The Billfish Foundation’s Annual Gala “Back to the 80s”

TBF’s “Back to the 80’s, When it all Began” 30th Anniversary Gala was a fun success! TBF’s annual party has become THE sportfishing event to attend during the week of…

December 1, 2016

MANY WAYS TO SUPPORT TBF!

Our success would not have been possible without the support of countless individuals and organizations. Please take a few moments to review the many ways you can give financially to…

December 1, 2016

MANY WAYS TO SUPPORT TBF!

Members and friends of The Billfish Foundation have a long tradition of generous giving to support the many vital programs furthering the mission of conserving billfish worldwide. Since its founding…

November 3, 2016

BACK TO THE 80’S LIVE AUCTION PREVIEW

Take a peek at some of the items we have in store for you to bid on for our live auction at our annual fundraiser, Back to the 80’s! Be…

September 13, 2016

TBF MOBILE APPLICATION GOES LIVE!

Over the past 26 years, the sportfishing community has provided The Billfish Foundation (TBF) with over 220,000 tag and release records, making it the largest private billfish database worldwide. The data received helps marine researchers gain insight…

September 13, 2016

TBF MOBILE APPLICATION GOES LIVE!

September 12, 2016

UPDATED STANDINGS FOR 2016 ANNUAL TAG & RELEASE COMPETITION

Fall is almost here, and that means the competition year is winding down. Here are the current standings for the 2016 International Tag & Release competition. Those of you in…

September 12, 2016

UPDATED 2016 GULF OF MEXICO MARLIN TAGGING COMPETITION STANDINGS

Tournament season is coming to a close which means opportunities to get out there are getting fewer and the competition is stiff. Here are the current standings for the 2016…

August 5, 2016

Gulf of Mexico Blue Marlin Satellite Tagging Expedition

TBF’s Gulf of Mexico Blue Marlin Satellite Tagging Expedition, staged out of Port Eads, which is 84.5 miles south of New Orleans, 24 miles south of the southernmost road in…

July 25, 2016

TBF’S JUNIOR ANGLER PROGRAM

Do you remember where, when, and what you used to catch the first fish that got you “hooked” on fishing? Who were you with and how did that singular experience…

July 6, 2016

Billfish Conservation Record Now Available – Analyzing 2014 data

The Billfish Foundation’s newest International Billfish Conservation Record is now available digitally! The Conservation Record includes the 2014 Rybovich Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, summary of all tag, release & recapture…

June 8, 2016

Join the Satellite Tagging Expedition!

Be a Conservation Hero, Support TBF’s Satellite Tagging Expedition! Review the proposal to the right or contact us today to receive a copy by email or in the mail! tbf@billfish.org

May 4, 2016

THE BILLFISH FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2016 RYBOVICH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS

For Immediate Release – May 4, 2016 Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA – Today, The Billfish Foundation (TBF), the world’s leading…

April 7, 2016

INTRODUCING TWO NEW REGIONAL COMPETITIONS!

Due to popular demand of our current regional awards in South Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, TBF is excited to announce the expansion of our regional competitions to include Cape Verde and the Hawaiian Islands. These…

April 7, 2016

INTRODUCING THE HAWAII REGIONAL TAG & RELEASE COMPETITION!

Photo Courtesy of Brian Toney The Hawaiian Islands are undoubtedly a special place for many reasons. In the eyes of many anglers, it is unique for being the only place…

April 7, 2016

INTRODUCING THE CAPE VERDE REGIONAL TAG & RELEASE COMPETITION

Courtesy of the Big Oh For the past several years, winners of TBF’s International Tag & Release Competition blue marlin categories have all come out of Cape Verde and it…

April 6, 2016

2016 TAG & RELEASE COMPETITION UPDATE

Just when it seems that the excitement from last year’s Tag & Release Award Ceremony has begun to wind down, we’ve started ramping up for the 2016 competition. This year…

April 3, 2025

TBF & BFD Simplify Billfish Reporting

April 3, 2025

Destin FAD

March 13, 2025

NOAA Withdraws Controversial Vessel Speed Reduction Proposal

February 7, 2025

Victory for Sportfishing: Amendment 15 Withdrawn!

January 15, 2025

Extreme Vessel Speed Reduction Rule Withdrawn

January 9, 2025

Living Legends of Big Game Fishing by Pat Mansell

January 8, 2025

TBF’s First 12 Month SAT tag Recovery

December 7, 2024

The Skillie Project

November 13, 2024

East Coast Extreme Vessel Speed Reduction Update

November 6, 2024

Anglers We Will Miss: Dr. C. Phillip Goodyear

September 14, 2024

New Proposed Rule: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Electronic Reporting Requirements

August 12, 2024

Pacific Bluefin Tuna Recovery

August 2, 2024

U.S. Senator Katie Britt Introduces Lulu’s Law in Honor of a Courageous Alabama Teenager

July 3, 2024

Marlin Expeditions and TBF: Teamwork Makes Conservation Work

July 2, 2024

Changes to Bluefin Tuna Commercial Handgear Fishery

June 13, 2024

Modifications to Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Limit

June 12, 2024

California Fines San Diego Fishermen in Poaching Bust

May 14, 2024

No Protection for Overfished Atlantic Blue Marlin as Protections for Sharks Grow Stronger

May 13, 2024

Closure of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category in Southern New England Area

April 15, 2024

Recreational Vessels Temporarily Allowed to Fish in California Conservation Area

April 11, 2024

Hudson Canyon Marine Sanctuary Update

March 10, 2024

New Striped Marlin Study

February 15, 2024

NOAA Fisheries Announces Mistakes From Past Recreational Fishing Effort Survey

February 15, 2024

Bluefin Tuna Closure for Angling Category

July 20, 2016

Black Marlin Study Needs Assistance off Central America in Pacific Waters

Sam Williams from the University of Queensland is collaborating with Dr Julian Pepperell in mapping the global genetics of black marlin. We greatly appreciate your assistance in collecting tissue for…

July 6, 2016

IATTC 2016 Meeting

Peter Chaibongsai, representing TBF at a meeting of the U.S. Advisory Committee to Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), an international organization with authority over highly migratory fish in the eastern Pacific…

July 6, 2016

Billfish Conservation Record Now Available – Analyzing 2014 data

April 11, 2016

HMS AP & ICCAT UPDATES – MARCH 2016

The Billfish Foundation regularly represents recreational interests and discusses issues surrounding management of billfish and tuna here in US Atlantic waters. This past month, a number of important topics including…

April 7, 2016

INTRODUCING THE CAPE VERDE REGIONAL TAG & RELEASE COMPETITION

Courtesy of the Big Oh For the past several years, winners of TBF’s International Tag & Release Competition blue marlin categories have all come out of Cape Verde and it…

March 7, 2016

Billfish Conservation Record – Analyzing 2013 Data

The Billfish Foundation is pleased to make available our annual Conservation Record, noting 2013 Rybovich Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients, 2013 Tag & Release Competition winners, and data analysis from this year’s…

February 26, 2016

COSTA, YETI AND TBF TAGGING TRIP TO ISLA MUJERES

Being a part of the sportfishing community and having an opportunities to work alongside our Tag & Release Program sponsors as well as captains and anglers, to put our initiatives…

January 29, 2016

TBF WELCOMES MARINA CASA DE CAMPO AS A NEW TAG & RELEASE INDUSTRY SPONSOR!

The Billfish Foundation (TBF) is extremely excited to announce and welcome aboard the Marina Casa de Campo as a new Tag & Release Industry sponsor. Located in the beautiful Dominican Republic, and conveniently…

December 17, 2015

PARTICIPATION ON THE RISE

When the US was in the midst of a recession (2007 – 2009), TBF saw a significant reduction in tag and release reports, and it comes as no surprise; the…

October 16, 2015

PRIVATE BOATS CAN TRAVEL DIRECT TO CUBA – BUT SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY

The Obama administration recently issued new rules that allow U.S. visitors going to Cuba to travel in their own boat, whether for hire or recreation, direct to Cuba. Some requirements…

October 12, 2015

CREDIBLE SCIENTISTS TAKE ON SENSATIONALISTS

It comes as good news to learn of CFOOD, a group of well respected scientists that came together “out of frustration with erroneous stories about fisheries sustainability” to “set the record…

October 5, 2015

Robust Debate & Marine Closures

This past June, Biscayne National Park released its new General Management Plan (GMP) to guide actions over the next 20 years in preserving and protecting the shallow water coral reef…

September 4, 2015

PANAMA’S SPORTFISHING ECO-TOURISM TRADE COULD BE HURT

Regrettably, the recent La Presna article dated August 16, 2015 that quotes Ivan Flores, Manager of the Aquatic Resources and Fisheries Authority (ARAP), did not focus on the sustainable use…

July 21, 2015

Predicting Atlantic Blue Marlin Distribution

TBF’s Dr. Phil Goodyear, is currently advancing research to use oceanographic data and information recovered from earlier satellite tagging research to predict Atlantic blue marlin distributions in time (month, year,…

May 14, 2015

UNDERSTANDING MAXIMUM SIZE IN THE CATCH: ATLANTIC BLUE MARLIN AS AN EXAMPLE

The most recent Atlantic blue marlin research completed by TBF’s Dr. Phillip Goodyear was published by the American Fisheries Society, the oldest, largest and most influential association of fisheries professionals…

April 8, 2015

BILLFISH BILL MORPHOLOGY

Rostrum: a funny word used by scientists to describe the “upper jaw prolonged into a long stout spear with round cross-section.” To anglers, it’s known as a bill and is…

March 23, 2015

ACT NOW: Keep Australia Open for Fishing!

It has been more than four years since Australia began the process of designing and implementing its national system of marine reserves encompassing all of its federal waters. These reserves…

March 12, 2015

CAPTAIN’S TIPS & TRICKS

We are asking some of the top captains in the world for some of their tricks/tips, and this month, Capt. Chris Sheeder from Casa Vieja Lodge, a Tag & Release Program…

February 15, 2015

CUBAN EVOLUTION

No doubt, as the political debate increases over pros and cons of the United States normalizing relations with Cuba, anglers want to move forward to fish in Cuban waters. While…

February 10, 2015

CAPTAIN’S TIPS

By Capt. Scott Leon from Sandman Fishing team There are two approaches to rigging kite baits that both have their positives and negatives making the choice ultimately up to each…

February 6, 2015

Australian Marine Reserves: Take Two

The Australian government is finally making due on their promise to reevaluate the proposed management plans for the country’s network of Commonwealth Marine Reserves. The initial management plans, released in…

February 3, 2015

Extremism in Fisheries Must be Countered- Costa Rica

Just when you thought you heard every crazy idea, here comes another one! In Costa Rica, the nation to which 283,790 Americans traveled in 2008 to sportfish, which generated $599…

February 3, 2015

Uncovering the Population Structure of Black Marlin

Understanding fish movements and reproduction is highly important for sustainable fisheries management, including for black marlin. Since 2013, Samuel Williams a research student from the University of Queensland has worked…

February 3, 2015

THE OFFSHORE FISHING LEAGUE – PRO SERIES

Very much like NASCAR or a professional sports team, large investment opportunities and top notch fishing skills are heading offshore with the creation and launching of the Offshore Fishing League…

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