2024 TBF Lifetime Achievement Awards
The John Rybovich Lifetime Achievement Award This award honors a former TBF board member and pioneer in billfish conservation who founded the Sailfish Conservation Club, the Masters Angling Tournament, the Tournament of Champions, and the Gold Cup. With his brothers, Emil and Tommy, this awardee helped to develop the first offshore sportfishing boat equipped with […]
TBF’s Annual Award Ceremony Recap!
Filled with energy, great vibes, and the leaders of the billfishing world, TBF’s Annual Tag & Release Award Ceremony once again highlighted the efforts and talents of the top captains, anglers, and mates from around the globe. From veteran winners to first time finalists, the room was filled with people who dedicated their time and […]
Sailfish Satellite Tagging in Palm Beach
On March 13th, TBF’s Peter Chaibongsai and TJ Morrell met up with the crews, and research team in Singer Island, Florida to discuss logistics for the upcoming satellite tagging trip. The goal: satellite tag Atlantic sailfish over the next two days. With only a few instances of Atlantic sailfish being satellite tagged here in South […]
TBF’s Tag & Release Competition Deadline Approaching!
The deadline for The Billfish Foundation’s 2022-2023 Annual Tag & Release Competition is October 31st, 2023. All records must be received by TBF by the end of the day on November 15th, 2023. There are two ways to submit your cards. (1) Online: Go to www.tagbillfish.org, login into your profile, and submit your tags online. […]
TBF’s 2023 Annual Fundraising Gala
Time is running out! Don’t miss out on this year’s Gatsby, Glitz, and Glamour theme for The Billfish Foundation’s Annual Fundraiser Gala, taking place on Friday, October 27, 2023, at the Harbor Beach Marriott in Fort Lauderdale, FL! Join TBF as we celebrate 37 years of dedicated billfish conservation while recognizing the invaluable contributions of […]
Announcing TBF’s 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
The Billfish Foundation (TBF), the world’s leading sportfishing conservation organization for marlin, sailfish, spearfish, and associated highly migratory fish, announces this year’s winners of its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards. TBF’s Lifetime Achievement Awards are named in honor of distinguished people who made exemplary contributions to advancing billfish research and conservation throughout their lives. This award is named in honor of John Rybovich, a former TBF board member and trailblazer in billfish conservation. As a founder of the Sailfish Conservation Club, the all-release Master’s Angling Tournament, the Tournament of Champions, and the Gold Cup, Rybovich focused on setting a standard
TBF Cautions Caribbean Swordfish Retention Expansion
Representatives from The Billfish Foundation attended a recent meeting with NOAA in which a swordfish retention expansion was discussed in the Caribbean. This proposed expansion applies to vessels in USVI and Puerto Rico with an (HMS) Commercial Caribbean Small Boat (CCSB) permit, Swordfish General Commercial permit, or HMS Charter/Headboat permit with a commercial endorsement on a non-for hire trip. The expansion of swordfish retention was proposed at levels ranging from zero to eighteen swordfish retained per vessel per trip. We believe that only the most conservative expansion (up to six fish per vessel) should be considered or authorized
TBF’s Gamefish on Thrones Gala Recap
A multitude of characters, looking like they stepped straight out of Westeros, caused heads to spin and added lots of excitement to TBF’s gala, Gamefish on Thrones. Wildlings and Night’s Watchmen filled the ballroom wearing fur from boots to shoulders as the Night King and his whitewalkers brought a sense of unknowing fear to some. That is, until a uniformed platoon of knights marched in, some riding dragons, and kept watch during the dark of night as strangers sipped Bacardi libations. At the same time, strong and beautiful Queens and Khaleesis showed their power as they worked their magic
