News

July 25, 2011

THE BILLFISH FOUNDATION IN CANARY ISLANDS TO PROMOTE CONSERVATION AND SPORTFISHING TOURISM

The 26th Annual Offshore Fishing Championships (XXVI Edicion Campeonato de Pesca de Altura) from July 28-30 in the extremely prolific billfishing arena of the Canary Islands will also be the…

July 12, 2011

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK TO SEE CURRENT TAG AND RELEASE COMPETITION STANDINGS

Every year, The Billfish Foundation (TBF) recognizes the captains, mates and anglers (including youth and ladies) who tag and release the most billfish in each of the world’s oceans. The…

June 24, 2011

FIRST COSTA RICAN HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS SUPPORT BILLFISH CONSERVATION BY TAKING SAILFISH AND MARLIN OFF THEIR MENUS

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. USA. –The Billfish Foundation (TBF) entered into an agreement with its conservation partner, the Costa Rica Sport Fishing Federation (FECOPT) and four participating Hilton Worldwide hotels in…

May 17, 2011

TBF’S TAG AND RELEASE COMPETITION NOTES:

We ask you to fill out our Yellow Tag Report Card which accompanies the billfish tags and submit those immediately. These yellow report cards display the series of tag report…

April 28, 2011

THE BILLFISH FOUNDATION FAN PAGE ON FACEBOOK!

If you aren’t already a fan of The Billfish Foundation‘s Official Facebook page, please click on over and join now! Once you get there, “like” the page to get the…

March 15, 2011

2011 TBF TAG AND RELEASE AWARD CEREMONY

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. USA – Every time they fish on three oceans, these anglers are helping scientific research. Globally since 1990 they — anglers, captains and mates — have become…

March 8, 2011

2010 TAG & RELEASE COMPETITION DEADLINE

The Billfish Foundation 5100 N. Federal Hwy, Suite 200 Fort Lauderdale

March 7, 2011

THE BILLFISH FOUNDATION’S COLLEGIATE BILLFISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP OFFICIAL RULES

The college football season has just begun with fall practice, who do you think will win it all this year? While you might not have a chance to actively participate…

February 24, 2011

TBF’S ANNUAL TAG & RELEASE AWARDS CEREMONY- 2011

The winners of TBF’s Annual Tag & Release Awards Competition were honored in a fun-filled ceremony at Jungle Island on Saturday, February 19, 2010. These Captains, Mates and Anglers (including…

January 12, 2011

AWARD WINNERS TO BE HONORED AT TBF’S ANNUAL TAG & RELEASE CEREMONY

You’re invited to join us for TBF’s Annual Tag & Release Awards Ceremony! We will be honoring the Captains, Mates and Anglers (including Youth & Ladies) who have tagged and…

January 11, 2011

2010 TBF TAG AND RELEASE AWARD WINNERS

The Billfish FoundationTAG & RELEASE AWARD WINNERS 2010 I. RELEASE CATEGORYTop Release Anglers AtlanticGray Ingram Blue MarlinCarol Ott SailfishCarole Speicher White Marlin Top Release Captains AtlanticMartin Bates Blue MarlinBertrand Bouchard…

December 10, 2010

TBF’S ECOLOGY WORKSHOP: EDUCATION IN ACTION

On December 7th, 2009, The Billfish Foundation visited the Sea, Sand and Stars Science and Nature Center at Orange Beach Elementary School in Orange Beach, Alabama. TBF’s Science and Policy…

September 11, 2010

TAG & RELEASE COMPETITION UPDATE

TBF receives close to 15,000 tag and release data cards each year and works hard to process them in time to tabulate for our annual Tag and Release Award Ceremony…

August 26, 2010

TBF’S COLLEGIATE BILLFISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Watching collegiate atheltics is exciting and can leave you on the edge of your seat rooting for your alma mater or rooting against your rivals. One big problem is you…

May 27, 2010

I RECAPTURED A TBF TAGGED BILLFISH: WHAT NOW?

Have you recaptured a TBF tagged billfish? Congratulations, it is a rare feat for anglers to catch a tagged fish, so thank for reporting it! By reporting your recapture, you…

December 7, 2009

TBF’s Ecology Workshop: Education in Action

October 4, 2009

TBF EXTENDS OUTREACH IN THE NORTHEAST

In an effort to reach out to the sportfishing community of the Northeast, TBF sent Capt. Tony DiGiulian to attend the opening weekend of the 8thAnnual Hamptons Offshore Invitational. The…

August 24, 2009

TBF Extends Outreach in the Northeast

April 12, 2009

TBF GETS YOUTH “HOOKED” ON CONSERVATION AT MIAMI FISHING CLINIC

On April 11, 2009 Miami-Dade County Cooperative Extension 4-H and Sea Grant Programs proudly held the county’s 3rd Annual Kid’s Fishing Clinic. This spirited event, sponsored by Florida Fish and…

April 11, 2009

TBF Gets Youth “Hooked” on Conservation at Miami Fishing Clinic

February 20, 2009

2009 Tag & Release Award Winners Honored

For two decades across the world, captains, anglers and mates have committed to tag and release of billfish supplying data for conservation efforts critical to scientific research. Annually TBF members…

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 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 &…

April 8, 2022

TBF Announces our Lifetime Achievement Award Winners

THE JOHN RYBOVICH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD The award is named in honor of a former board member and pioneer in billfish conservation, who founded the Sailfish Conservation Club, the Masters…

April 1, 2022

TBF Welcomes New Staff

TBF welcomes T.J. Morrell to the team as our Science/Education Specialist. He will be responsible for showcasing the importance of tagging and releasing and leads in the development of educational…

February 23, 2022

TBF’s 2022 Tag & Release Awards Ceremony Recap

The Billfish Foundation’s 2022 Tag & Release Awards Ceremony took place on February 18th at Jungle Island to celebrate and highlight the achievement of some of the top anglers, captains…

February 3, 2022

TBF Welcomes Boaters List as a New Tag & Release Sponsor!

The Billfish Foundation (TBF) is excited to announce that Boaters List, out of San Antonio, Texas, is a new sponsor of TBF’s cornerstone program, our Tag and Release program. Widely…

January 25, 2022

TBF’s 2022 Artist of the Year

For over 40 years of my life, I never considered myself an artist. I didn’t take art classes, grab a pencil and paper and sketch didn’t paint or want to…

January 3, 2022

TBF’s Atlantic Shark Fishery Comments

The Billfish Foundation submitted comments to National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) today on the Draft Review of Atlantic Shark Fishery Review (SHARE) urging the revitalization of the Atlantic shark fishery…

November 17, 2021

TBF’s Billfish In Space Party was Out of This World!

The ‘supreme orbit’ for space creatures and space beauties was found at TBF’s Billfish in Space Gala, which rocked all night long! Definitely the hottest party during the Ft. Lauderdale…

November 4, 2020

2020 Virtual Gala Recap

The Billfish Foundation’s first ever Virtual Gala ended Friday, October 30th, after weeks of build-up and excitement! Beginning October 16th, TBF supporters joined in to support billfish conservation online with…

February 28, 2020

TBF Awards Ceremony 2020

December 23, 2019

TBF’s Top Achievements in 2019

With the year coming to a close, we thank you for your support, as we reflect on key achievements in 2019. Please consider joining TBF, if not already on board,…

November 21, 2019

TBF’s Gamefish on Thrones Gala Recap

A multitude of characters, looking like they stepped straight out of Westeros, caused heads to spin and added lots of excitement to TBF’s gala, Gamefish on Thrones. Wildlings and Night’s…

February 14, 2019

BILLFISH MAGAZINE EDITION 2018 V2

November 18, 2018

TBF The Spy Who Tagged Me Annual Gala 2018

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 20, 2018

Awards Ceremony – 2017 Tag & Release Competition

January 13, 2018

TBF’s Letter to Nova Southeastern University

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…

November 17, 2017

Angels & Devils – TBF’s 2017 Fundraising Gala

September 5, 2017

Sailfish Brewery Welcomes TBF At Tag & Release Festival

Members of The Billfish Foundation team spent a full Saturday at the Sailfish Brewing Co. in Fort Pierce, Florida for Labor Day weekend activities. The brewery hosted a Tag &…

July 20, 2017

Morning Well Spent At Broward Marine Magnet School

Interns from The Billfish Foundation spent Thursday morning at South Broward High School with a group of incoming freshmen who are part of the marine magnet program. These students have…

July 11, 2017

Did You Know?

Welcome to our Did You Know blog! Billfish and related species, like tuna and swordfish, are amazing creatures and set themselves apart from other fish. The Billfish Foundation would like…

July 6, 2017

TAG & RELEASE COMPETITION UPDATE!

We may still be highlighting last year’s award winners, but the Tag & Release Competition update as it stands. Don’t forget, these positions will be shifting constantly until the final…

September 27, 2017

NOVA HALTS LONGLINE RESEARCH

TBF thanks its constituents for their continued support in keeping this issue at the forefront. Join the TBF community today to be part of our efforts on matters like

September 26, 2017

Celebrating the Miami Seaquarium’s Birthday With A Beach Cleanup

Bags of trash collected during Miami Seaquarium’s beach cleanup to commemorate their 62nd anniversary The Billfish Foundation strives to support its local south Florida community and partners with like-minded organizations…

September 19, 2017

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ATLANTIC SWORDFISH VARY BY STOCK

Highly migratory species, including tunas and billfish, travel the world’s oceans and traverse national boundaries. Regional fishery management organizations (RFMOs) work at the international level to manage such species, bringing…

September 18, 2017

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fishery Closes For September

The Atlantic bluefin tuna General category fishery for large-medium and giant bluefin tuna (73 in. curved fork length or larger) closes September 17, 2017 for the remainder of the month.…

September 1, 2017

TBF Takes Aim At Nova’s Longline Research In Closed Zone

Nova Southeastern University’s longline research in Florida’s east coast closed zone may damage its reputation for community relations and science. An associate professor from the university was granted an exempted…

August 31, 2017

NMFS Introduces Online Reporting System For Fishing Tournaments

An online reporting system will now be available for highly migratory species (HMS) fishing tournaments in the Atlantic Ocean, the National Marine Fisheries Service announced this week. HMS tournament operators…

August 29, 2017

InTheBite Magazine Presents Captain of the Year Award

One of the last billfishing competitions of the summer, the Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament concluded this past weekend in Virginia Beach, VA. The tournament hosted 75 teams this year for…

August 22, 2017

Winner of Florida West Coast Bluewater Series Tags Every Billfish

The 46th Annual Old Salt Loop Billfish Tournament concluded in Clearwater, Florida this past weekend, wrapping up the Florida West Coast Bluewater Series (FWCBS) as it was the third and…

August 15, 2017

Rubio & Nelson Introduce Florida Fisheries Improvement Act

Earlier this month U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) introduced legislation designed to enhance and protect Florida’s fishery resources and those who rely on them. The Florida…

August 11, 2017

Submit Comments on Allowing Longlines in Closed Zones to Florida Elected Officials!

Click here to submit comments to FL Senators Rubio and Nelson. Click here to submit comments to your US & FL House representatives and FL State Senators. Click here to…

August 10, 2017

Hypocrisy – Florida’s $7.6 Billion Dollar Recreational Fishing Industry Slapped by Federal Agency

After the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced today its approval of the Exempted Fishing Permit that allows longline boats to fish in Florida’s east coast closed zone, Ellen Peel, President…

August 9, 2017

2017 Atlantic Billfish Landings Remain Far Below Allocation

On Tuesday NOAA released preliminary numbers for Atlantic billfish landings in 2017. The estimates show individuals caught (and reported) thus far in 2017, from January 1st through June 30th, for blue…

August 8, 2017

Pacific Bluefin Tuna Will Not Be Listed As Endangered

The National Marine Fisheries Service announced Tuesday that they rejected a petition to list the Pacific bluefin tuna as an endangered species. A long list of environmental organizations combined efforts…

July 27, 2017

Which Way Will New Head of NMFS Sway On Longline Closed Zone?

Appointed in June with support from over 55 commercial fishing companies and organizations, the new Assistant Administrator of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has a number of pressing issues…

July 20, 2017

Morning Well Spent At Broward Marine Magnet School

Interns from The Billfish Foundation spent Thursday morning at South Broward High School with a group of incoming freshmen who are part of the marine magnet program. These students have…

July 19, 2017

ELECTRONIC MONITORING

As fisheries regulations develop, there is often the need for enforcement of compliance—enforcing gear restrictions, enforcing size limits, enforcing the return of non-target species, and ultimately enforcing the law. Ensuring…

July 11, 2017

Did You Know?

Welcome to our Did You Know blog! Billfish and related species, like tuna and swordfish, are amazing creatures and set themselves apart from other fish. The Billfish Foundation would like…

June 13, 2017

WHAT IS THE PORT STATE MEASURES AGREEMENT AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Seafood is big business. Not only is it an industry that exchanges billions of dollars in trade globally, but the sector also trades an abundance of resources that contribute to food…

June 6, 2017

BLUEFIN TUNA HARVEST QUOTA CLOSES FOR THE YEAR IN GULF OF MEXICO

The National Marine Fisheries serviced announced that the recreational bluefin tuna harvest in the Gulf of Mexico has reached its quota and will close June 7, 2017 until the end of the…

May 25, 2017

GULF OF MEXICO QUOTA ADJUSTED AFTER BLUEFIN TUNA LANDING

The quota for bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico has been updated after a large individual was landed in a fishing tournament last week. Katie Gonsoulin pulled in a…

May 24, 2017

ADVANCEMENT OF BILLFISH CONSERVATION ACT – A PARTIAL STEP FORWARD

On May 18, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation advanced Section 396, an amendment to the 2012 Billfish Conservation Act. The bill, initially introduced in February by U.S.…

May 10, 2017

CALL TO ACTION ON FORAGE FISH!

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has begun a Scoping Process to consider allowing giant trawlers to increase their excessive landings of forage species off the Mid-Atlantic region, specifically chub (Tinker)…

April 28, 2017

BLUEFIN TUNA ANGLING CATEGORY ADJUSTMENT

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has adjusted the Atlantic bluefintuna (BFT) daily retention limits that apply to vessels permitted in the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling category and the HMS…

March 16, 2017

ATLANTIC BLUEFIN TUNA TROPHY ANGLING CATEGORY SOUTH AREA CLOSING MARCH 20, 2017

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will close the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) Angling category fishery for large medium and giant “trophy” BFT (measuring 73” or greater) in the southern…

April 3, 2025

New Tag & Release Category – TBF Legends

April 3, 2025

Marlin Fly Week

March 14, 2025

Partnering for Billfish Conservation: New Integrated Reporting System (VESL) Simplifies Data Collection

March 13, 2025

International Tagging Initiative

March 13, 2025

Annual Tag & Release Ceremony

November 6, 2024

Anglers We Will Miss: Dr. C. Phillip Goodyear

June 11, 2024

Recapture on Japanese Longliner!

March 10, 2024

New Striped Marlin Study

December 1, 2023

76th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute Recap

May 4, 2023

Costa’s Marlin-Fly Project

For years, we have all heard about the amazing fishery and waters in Magdalena Bay, Mexico. From the hookups of doubles, triples, and quads of striped marlin with daily releases…

May 1, 2023

Pacific Striped Marlin Rebuilding Plan

Western & Central Northern Pacific striped marlin, whose abundance, especially spawning-stock biomass, and size are greatly diminished and retain low priority within the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).…

April 20, 2023

Wind lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico

The proposed sale is part of the leasing project announced by the DOI in 2021 to meet the Biden administration’s goal to deploy thirty gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity…

March 13, 2023

New Report of the Economic Contributions by Recreational Fishing Released

Last week, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) released the 2023 Economic Contributions of Recreational Fishing: U.S. Congressional Districts report, an update of previous data in partnership with Southwick Associates. The…

January 21, 2023

Gulf of Mexico Hotspots Mapping Initiative

NOAA and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) are collaborating on a 5-year project to “evaluate the feasibility of bycatch hotspots” via communication networks in the Gulf of Mexico.…

December 6, 2022

Costa Rican Government Supports Sailfish Conservation

A Step in the Right Direction for Sailfish in Costa Rica If you’re expecting to come across sailfish meat in the Costa Rican Canasta Basica, then you’re unfortunately going to…

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…

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…

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 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 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…

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…

The Billfish Foundation

News

Updates and Insights

Filter by Type

Interested in Learning MOre?

Featured

News

Join our Mailing List

TBF's Efficiency

Advocacy

Partners

Research

Education

Events

Pages

Ways to HeLP