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 […]
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 […]
Proposed Speed Zones Along the East Coast
Extreme Vessel Speed Reductions Once again, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has failed to consider the effects of their decisions on the recreational fishing community. Their recent proposal, which aims to restrict vessel speeds in areas where the North Atlantic Right Whale is known to be present, will be devastating for our community. Just as we experienced with the shark depredation issue earlier in the year, the government has failed to understand how their actions (or inactions) can have negative consequences on ALL users. Let us be clear though: The Billfish Foundation (TBF) understands the importance of protecting
Colombia and Panama Updates – June 2022
Sportfishing Banned in Colombia – Beginning in 2023 The Supreme Court of Colombia recently ruled that sportfishing, even catch and release, amounts to torture, thus prohibiting the sport in marine and fresh waters. The court decision proclaimed the practice “violates the principles of environmental protection and animal welfare” and “demonstrates the risk of damage to the environment.” The prohibition is to be phased in over the next year. We at TBF are extremely disappointed the issue did not meet a formidable challenge before reaching the highest court in the nation. Their burgeoning sportfishing industry will surely suffer. To prevent
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
Changes Coming for Anglers on Atlantic Bluefin Tuna?
Currently, the NMFS is considering making many changes to the fishery management plan for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) – Bluefin Tuna. Redistributing tonnage allocations to each managed Fishing Category, including the Angling Category, and modifying fishing areas are two of the potentially most impacting options. The Incidental recreational bluefin allocation of trophy-size fish in the Gulf of Mexico, which averages between 5-8 fish a season depending on weight, is most at risk since the Gulf of Mexico is a spawning ground. Though, spawning ground concerns seem to be dismissed in another option, which could authorize permitted Atlantic longline
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
TBF Intern Integrates Angler Knowledge into Fisheries Management
For years, members of the sportfishing community have felt that scientists and fisheries managers should consult those on the water and in the industry when making decisions. Our community is able to “see” firsthand what is happening and can provide valuable input. Our latest Winthrop P. Rockefeller Student Ocean Program Intern, Briana Gibbs, performed an in-depth analysis of the value of this input and presented her findings to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). In her analysis, Briana identified key changes in fishing gear and technology that impacted the recreational catch of billfish between 1973
TBF Enters New Partnership with Release Marine
The Billfish Foundation (TBF) is proud to announce our new partnership with Release Marine! Release Marine has been a supporter of TBF for years but will now officially be solidifying and increasing their support by donating a portion of each sale of a new Fighting Chair or Battle Saddle to TBF moving foward. This announcement is significant in illustrating their dedication to billfish conservation and their clear understanding that a healthy sportfishing industry can only come in the wake of healthy billfish populations. “We at The Billfish Foundation are enormously grateful to Release Marine for such a generous commitment
International Tag and Release Competition Reminder
Anglers, captains, and mates! The TBF International Tag and Release Competition will end on October 31st, 2019. All fish caught after that date will not count towards this year’s competition. All tag and release cards must be input into the database or received by the TBF office by November 15th, 2019 to count. Unfortunately, we cannot make any exceptions to this rule in order to ensure that everyone receives a fair shot at the title! These rulings apply for the international competition as well as all regional competitions. If you have any questions or concerns about the competition, receipt
