The Billfish Foundation Joins Center for Sportfishing Policy
The Billfish Foundation is proud to join the Center for Sportfishing Policy (CSP) as a Sustaining Partner. CSP works to maximize opportunities for saltwater anglers and advocate for the conservation of marine resources. They do this by mobilizing fisheries stakeholders to affect real political change for the good of anglers and fisheries everywhere. At TBF, our mission is to conserve billfish and advocate for the recreational fishing community. As a result, it made perfect sense to align with CSP in order to maximize our positive impact for conservation. In the words of CSP President, Jeff Angers, “The Billfish
Recreational Fishing Gear, Bottom Trawls & Pelagic Longline Gear Are NOT the Same!!
With the recent Executive Order (EO), recreational fishing gear, bottom trawls, and pelagic longline are viewed the same as all other fishing gear when it comes to designating Marine Protected Areas (MPA). The EO, signed by Biden, calls for closing 30% of U.S. ocean waters to fishing, including recreational fishing, by 2030 through the MPAs. This is not the first time such a strategy has been raised, very large marine protected areas in various regulatory (marine monuments, wildlife refuges, sanctuaries, marine reserves, etc) forms have preceded the current initiative. Through the US Ocean Action Policy in 2006, the
A Call to Action
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TBF Supports Coastal Resilience in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska
The Billfish Foundation recently endorsed the Conservation of America’s Shoreline Terrain and Aquatic Life (COASTAL) Act and the Opening Federal Financial Sharing to Heighten Opportunities for Renewable Energy (OFFSHORE) Act. Legislation proposed by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Dan Sullivan (Alaska), Bill Cassidy (Louisiana), John Kennedy (Louisiana), Doug Jones (Alabama), and Roger Wicker (Mississippi). The legislation strives to increase revenue distribution from offshore energy production to habitat restoration and coastal resilience in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska. The COASTAL Act would reform the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) to ensure a more equitable spread of offshore
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
Non-Longline Fisheries Should Be Allocated More Swordfish
All non-longline swordfish fisheries are required to use handgear – handline, harpoon, commercial rod and reel, green-stick and bandit gear. Handgear takes far less bycatch than does pelagic longline gear, much of the time it takes none making the fisheries cleaner and sustainable. Increasing landing limits to these fisheries makes sense, whereas allowing pelagic longlines back into the Closed Zones to fish for swordfish does not. Increasing swordfish retention limits to handgear fisheries was the focus of a NOAA phone meeting that The Billfish Foundation (TBF) staff members recently joined. The government’s first presented Preferred Alternative is for vessels
NMFS Weakens Gear Restrictions in Atlantic Ocean
The Gear Restricted Area (GRA) off Cape Hatteras implemented to reduce bluefin tuna bycatch by pelagic longline vessels now is open to the gear. The waters had been closed December through April, but the NMFS decided it is no longer needed under the Individual Bluefin tuna Quota (IBQ) management system. Two Gulf of Mexico Gear Restricted Areas closed during April and May since 2015 and the Northeastern Closed Area off of New Jersey closed during June since 1999, are now pelagic longline Monitoring Areas, allowing longlining to resume. Fishing is to be monitored for three years based on vessel’s
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, or make a tax free year-end donation to support our critical billfish work. You can follow us on social media @thebillfishfoundation and be sure subscribe to our free monthly newsletter to stay updated on the latest billfish
ICCAT Update – Reductions for Atlantic Marlin
The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) is an international regional fishery management organization for highly migratory species (HMS) in the Atlantic, including billfish, tunas, and some sharks. Two additional, separate organizations for HMS operate in the Pacific Ocean and in the Indian Ocean. These three organizations were established by treaties among member nations, which meet each year to negotiate landing tonnage, as well as other management and conservation measures. They each also gather scientists each year to conduct stock assessments and make recommendations, based on science, to the managing Commission before which national delegations from
TBF Responds to New Pacific Fishery Management Council Initiative
The Pacific Fishery Management Counsel is proposing to authorize the use of shallow-set longline gear to fish for swordfish off the West Coast of the United States. Below are the official comments by President of The Billfish
