For decades, captains, anglers, and mates from all across the world have submitted more than 280,000 tag and release records to TBF. Their efforts have made TBF’s Tag & Release Program the largest, privately owned open-source billfish tagging database in existence. The data collected from tag and release reports provides scientists and policy makers with a wealth of invaluable information. Unlike many other fisheries, billfish are not a commercially targeted species, so much of what we know about them comes from the help of the sportfishing community.
Tag, release, and recapture information from our traditional tagging program provides insight into important biological traits like growth and migration. In addition, our data offers insight into additional factors like fishing effort and socioeconomics. It takes the expertise and dedication of TBF scientists, staff, interns, and fisheries experts to interpret this data and convert it into real, tangible conservation measures.
In addition to conventional tagging programs, satellite tagging studies have given scientists even greater details on billfish life history. By recording temperature, depth, and location in real time, satellite tagging has revealed preferred environmental conditions for billfish. In turn, this information has been used by policymakers in the US to make recommendations to avoid billfish bycatch in long line fisheries. Satellite tagging has also been instrumental in estimating post-release mortality for billfish caught both recreationally and commercially. Studies conducted have clearly demonstrated the conservation benefits of using circle hooks and have been the impetus for mandating the use of circle hooks in all US HMS (Highly Migratory Species) tournaments.
Tag, release, and recapture information from our traditional tagging program provides insight into important biological traits like growth and migration. In addition, our data offers insight into additional factors like fishing effort and socioeconomics. It takes the expertise and dedication of TBF scientists, staff, interns, and fisheries experts to interpret this data and convert it into real, tangible conservation measures.
In addition to conventional tagging programs, satellite tagging studies have given scientists even greater details on billfish life history. By recording temperature, depth, and location in real time, satellite tagging has revealed preferred environmental conditions for billfish. In turn, this information has been used by policymakers in the US to make recommendations to avoid billfish bycatch in long line fisheries. Satellite tagging has also been instrumental in estimating post-release mortality for billfish caught both recreationally and commercially. Studies conducted have clearly demonstrated the conservation benefits of using circle hooks and have been the impetus for mandating the use of circle hooks in all US HMS (Highly Migratory Species) tournaments.
As key stakeholders in the marine realm, effective fisheries management must also account for the needs and impacts of anglers. Working with Southwick Associates, TBF has helped conduct socioeconomic studies on the impacts of sportfishing to highlight the tremendous socioeconomic contributions the industry generates for local economies and most importantly, for conservation.
As key stakeholders in the marine realm, effective fisheries management must also account for the needs and impacts of anglers. Working with Southwick Associates, TBF has helped conduct socioeconomic studies on the impacts of sportfishing to highlight the tremendous socioeconomic contributions the industry generates for local economies and most importantly, for conservation.
Each year, TBF releases a comprehensive report that summarizes all of the tags, releases, and recaptures submitted to us for that year. This document, called the Conservation Record, provides insight into fishing trends, global species hotspots, and in-depth species breakdowns. Each annual report demonstrates how important our volunteer anglers are in our mission of billfish conservation.
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