2022-2023 Conservation Record is out!
We are extremely excited to announce the newest iteration of our Conservation Record (CR) has been released! Encompassing data and events in 2022 and 2023, this is TBF’s first double feature report. This publication stands as a testament to our commitment to the conservation of billfish species. Through a blend of science and communication, this […]
TBF at Orange Beach Sportfishing Club
Longtime TBF supporters, Orange Beach Sportfishing Club (OBSC) recently welcomed TJ Morrell to speak at their club about the latest billfishing news, including updates on the foundation, topics affecting the sportfishing community, and where the organization is headed in terms of billfish conservation. As a thriving sportfishing club in the Gulf, OBSC is familiar with […]
Social Media to the Rescue: Satellite Tag Recovery
Satellite tags are invaluable tools for filling data gaps in billfish research, each worth more than $5000 and capable of transmitting a wealth of information to researchers. But did you know that recovering the tags themselves can yield even more data? In mid-April, we learned one of our satellite tags had washed up on the […]
Hudson Canyon Marine Sanctuary Update
Last week, stakeholders convened at Monmouth University for a one-day meeting to discuss the proposed Hudson Canyon Marine Sanctuary. The Hudson Canyon, located off the New York and New Jersey coast, holds immense ecological and socio-economic importance. The proposed sanctuary boundaries and management have yet to be set and one of the goals of the […]
Announcing TBF’s 2023 Tag & Release Awards Winners!
Interested in attending TBF’s International Tag & Release Awards Ceremony? Here’s everything you need to know! A special thanks to our ceremony sponsors, King Sailfish Mounts and Costa Sunglasses, who together with Boaters List, Casa Vieja Lodge, Garmin Marine, IGFTO, and Yeti Coolers have made this night possible. Click here to get your tickets! If […]
Steve C. Levi Memorial Trophy Youth Conservation Award
The Billfish Foundation & Gulf Coast Yacht Group present a new Award for Gulf of Mexico Youth Anglers – the Steve C. Levi Memorial Trophy Youth Conservation Award Following the untimely and tragic death of Steve C. Levi, his daughters, Kristen Dzwonkowski and Chelsea Scruggs donated to The Billfish Foundation (TBF) a gorgeous bronze marlin sculpture of their father’s. It was decided to have the sculpture honoring Steve to become a perpetual trophy, the Steve C. Levi Memorial Trophy, for a youth competition in the Gulf of Mexico. The trophy will continue to be housed in the
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 & Release Competition. These standings are only reflective of the data processed as of May 1st, 2022. If a category is missing, it’s because there haven’t been enough fish to qualify as of yet. The competition will continue to run through October 31, 2022, and TBF will accept all entries up until November 15, 2022. Please note that anyone can participate for free but you are only eligible to receive
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 and crews globally. This was the first time we had the event in person in over a year and we loved the opportunity to see everyone face to face again. Some well-known fishing titans were recognized, including the crew of the Big Oh as well as some new names like all the children from the McLane family and George Straub. The night was made possible through the generosity
NMFS Science for Closed Zones is Questionable
In September 2021, an article published in Marine Biology, Journal of Life in Oceans and Coastal Waters, was distributed by the NMFS as a paper and computer model that might be used as a possible decision-making tool for determining whether to open Closed Zones off East and Gulf of Mexico coasts. This model called the “Highly Migratory Species Predictive Spatial Modeling (PRiSM) would be an analytical framework for assessing the performance of spatial fisheries management.” A review of the paper identified flaws that should preclude the application of this PRISM model to any Closed Zone Decisions. The paper presented
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 recognized for its success, The Billfish Foundation’s Tag and Release Program is renowned worldwide by those in the billfish community who want to ensure the future of the sport. Anglers report the billfish they tag and release and assist TBF and our scientists gather data about the fish. “Boaters List launched with a driven mission, first and foremost, to build a community of like-minded boaters and water enthusiasts. The
