TBF’s First 12 Month SAT tag Recovery
This was a first for TBF. As you can imagine, having a piece of technical equipment thrusting through salt water at high speeds when attached to a marlin is not 100% fail proof. Some detach prematurely, some get predated by sharks and battery failure is often another factor inhibiting the collection of data throughout the […]
Recapture on Japanese Longliner!
On August 9th, 2022, Katsue Koyano caught a blue marlin aboard Motohiko Goto’s boat, Gotch, in the waters of Hyoutan, Japan. The marlin was relatively small, with an estimated weight of 120 pounds. Just over a year later, in August of 2023, the blue marlin was recaptured in the waters of Micronesia. It was caught […]
No Protection for Overfished Atlantic Blue Marlin as Protections for Sharks Grow Stronger
The Final Amendment 15 was recently issued by NMFS and fails to provide protections for overfished blue marlin. Instead, the text reflects the government’s lack of understanding of the highly migratory nature of blue marlin, treating them more like residential sailfish. The text even fails to reflect a general understanding of billfishing, insinuating that all […]
TBF’s 6-Month Competition Update!
Who’s ready for the six-month update for TBF’s Annual Tag & Release Competition? We can’t believe we’re halfway through this year’s competition already. With our annual fundraiser being right around the corner, it’s time to give everyone a sneak preview on where they stand for the 2023-2024 competition. Listed below are current standings for […]
New Age/Growth Study on Atlantic Blue Marlin and Swordfish need samples!
Scientists at the University of Maine need Atlantic blue marlin that weigh over 800 lbs and Atlantic swordfish over 500 lbs, specifically their heads, and the fork length measurement. They are hoping to conduct an age and growth study of these big girls and confirm their ages by collecting hard parts, like their otoliths or ear bones. If you land or know someone who has landed one, please let us know! They are willing to pay for the shipping and packaging of each of them. Again, all the scientists need is the head of the Atlantic blue marlin and swordfish
Gulf of Mexico Restoration PlanÂ
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 marine resources. Referred to as The Open Ocean Trustees, their most recent plan is a result of past collaborative work and stakeholder input, which aims to restore those affected resources. This strategic Plan will guide restoration of priority fish and water column invertebrates. Atlantic blue marlin, which are overfished and overfishing is taking place, have been identified as a priority species. (To learn the difference between overfished and overfishing
Publication from North Carolina State Questions Atlantic Blue Marlin Post Release Survival
A science paper published in the Journal of Aquatic Animal Health, written by E. Houck et al., from North Carolina State University in the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Center for Marine Science & Technology, raised questions whether skeletal injuries caused by recreational fishing tackle could decrease post-release survival in Atlantic blue marlin. Skeletal injuries in the jaw area of 6 blue marlin caught with artificial lures and J-hooks and landed in the 2019 Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament were examined. The conclusion, it was “suspected” that the hook injuries to the jaw had little impact on post-release
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
Atlantic Marlin Fishing Now All Catch & Release Though Year’s End Because 250 Landing Cap Exceeded
All Three Species (Atlantic Blue Marlin, White Marlin and Roundscale Spearfish) Must be Released by US Flagged Boats For The Remainder of 2020. Starting on September 30, 2020, through December 31, 2020, NOAA Fisheries is requiring catch-and-release fishing only for Atlantic blue marlin, white marlin, and roundscale spearfish in all areas of the Atlantic Ocean. […]
2019 Conservation Record
The Billfish Foundation’s Tag & Release Program. We received over 11,000 new tag, release, and recapture records for billfish and tunas. These data are used by researchers and management organizations across the globe, helping us learn more about these great fish and how best to conserve them. Below is a link to a PDF of the final 2019 Conservation Record, including black marlin, blue marlin, sailfish, spearfish, striped marlin, swordfish, white marlin, bluefin tuna, and yellowfin tuna. 2019 Conservation Record Final This feat of citizen science would not be possible without the generous support of our Tag &
