2020 Conservation Record: Blue Marlin
The Billfish Foundation maintains the largest private tag and release database in the world, with 260,000 records by 150,000 anglers. In 2020 alone, TBF anglers and captains tagged, released, or recaptured 7,000 billfish and tuna across the world. Of these 7,000 new records, 1,263 were of blue marlin. Like with sailfish, there is some debate on the difference between Atlantic and Indo-Pacific blue marlin. Makaira nigricans refers to Atlantic blue marlin, while Makaira mazara are Indo-Pacific. Blue marlin can measure up to 2,000lbs and 12ft long. Like other species of billfish, the Indo-Pacific blue marlin tend to be larger
2020 Conservation Record: Sailfish
The Billfish Foundation maintains the largest private tag and release database in the world, with 260,000 records by 150,000 anglers. In 2020 alone, TBF anglers and captains tagged, released, or recaptured 7,000 billfish and tuna across the world. Of these 7,000 new records, 2,908 were of sailfish. Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus/albicans) are native to the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Istiophorus albicans refers to the Atlantic sailfish, while Istiophorus platypterus refers to the Indo-Pacific sailfish. However, many use Istiophorus platypterus for both, as there is little difference between the two aside from size and location. Here, The Billfish Foundation also
2020 Conservation Record: Striped Marlin
The Billfish Foundation maintains the largest private tag and release database in the world, with 260,000 records by 150,000 anglers. In 2020 alone, TBF anglers and captains tagged, released, or recaptured 7,000 billfish and tuna across the world. Of these 7,000 new records, 1,963 were of striped marlin. Striped marlin (Kajikia audax) are native only to the Pacific and Indian Oceans. They can grow up to 12ft long and over 450lbs. Information on how to identify a striped marlin can be found on our youtube channel. Thank you to everyone that tagged and released striped marlin last year
2020 Conservation Record: White Marlin
The Billfish Foundation maintains the largest private tag and release database in the world, with 260,000 records by 150,000 anglers. In 2020 alone, TBF anglers and captains tagged, released, or recaptured 7,000 billfish and tuna across the world. Of these 7,000 new records, 270 were of white marlin. White marlin (Kajikia albida) are native only to the Atlantic Ocean. They are often confused with roundscale spearfish (Tetrapturus georgii) as the two species appear nearly identical. For that reason, most regulatory agencies combine their management. Because of this, and because identification between the two is unreliable, TBF also combines the
TBF’s Top Contributions of 2020
With the year coming to a close, we thank you for your support, as we reflect on TBF’s key contributions in 2020. To stay up-to-date on all things billfish, become a member, donate, visit our online shop, and follow us on social media
2020 Tag & Release Competition Award 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 conservation. Since its inception in 1990, the program has accrued over 260,000 tag and release records, becoming the largest private billfish tagging database in the world. In the last year alone, TBF has collected over 6,000 records! The information gathered through tag and release efforts is invaluable to increase our understanding and better our management of billfish and preserve the sport we love. This is only possible through the efforts
TBF’s 2020 Conservation So Far
This‌ ‌year‌ ‌has‌ ‌brought‌ ‌immense‌ ‌changes‌ ‌around‌ ‌the‌ ‌world,‌ ‌but‌ ‌The‌ ‌Billfish‌ ‌Foundation’s‌ ‌dedication‌ ‌to‌ ‌conserving‌ ‌billfish‌ ‌and‌ ‌enhancing‌ ‌recreational‌ ‌fishing‌ ‌opportunities‌ ‌remains‌ ‌steadfast.‌ ‌A‌ ‌few‌ ‌actions‌ ‌TBF‌ ‌has‌ ‌advanced‌ ‌this‌ ‌year‌ ‌follow.‌ We appreciate those who donated or became a member this year, only through your support can we ensure a‌ ‌future‌ ‌with‌ ‌billfish‌ ‌and‌ ‌billfishing‌ ‌opportunities. To stay up-to-date on all things billfish, subscribe to our monthly newsletter and follow us on social media
2020 Artist of the Year: George Kalwa
Born and raised in Baltimore Maryland, artist George Kalwa has been captivated by the ocean his entire life. An artist since birth, Kalwa began painting and making fishing lures as a child. As he grew, he spent summers drawing portraits on the Ocean City boardwalk before going to the Maryland Institute College of Art. His career as a professional artist is nothing short of remarkable. A jack of all trades, Kalwa is just as comfortable as an oil painter as he is as an award-winning broadcast video designer and animator. His chameleon-like artistry has made Kalwa a true master
