TBF In 2020
This year has brought immense changes around the world, but The Billfish Foundation’s (TBF) dedication to conserving billfish and enhancing recreational fishing opportunities remains steadfast. A few actions TBF has advanced this year follow.
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Advanced discussion with the Secretary of Commerce’s staff on conservation and economic negatives that will follow if Closed Zones in the Gulf of Mexico and off Charleston and Florida’s east coast are opened to pelagic longline fishing. The government’s decision is anticipated late this year. Until then, TBF will continue fighting to keep Closed Zones closed.
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Added pressure on the Pacific Fishery Management Council to prohibit drift gillnets and authorize deep-set buoy gear in their place off California’s west coast.
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Published a video series with Robert “Fly” Navarro, on billfish and tuna identification and proper tagging procedures. The Billfish Foundation’s Youtube Channel - Youtube Channel.
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Created a juvenile billfish photo database through angler submissions to assist scientists with early age and growth studies. If you have such photos, please send them with GPS location information and date to tag@billfish.org.
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Contributed to NOAA Fisheries and ICCAT meetings by increasing the focus on and priority of billfish and the recreational fishing industry, stressing, nationally and internationally, the industry is worthy of the same recognition given the commercial fishing industry.
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TBF presented research to ICCAT Species Working Groups on the impact technological advances have made on billfish catchability and the large data gaps remaining in this research area.
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Published another exciting issue of Sailfish, TBF’s educational magazine for teens, which focuses on the importance of marine conservation. Spearfish, TBF’s kid’s magazine, will soon 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.
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