BILLFISH magazine V1.2017

BILLFISH 2017 VOLUME 1

LONGLINES Threaten Closed Zone

HIGH ADVENTURE A New Partner

SHOULD ANGLERS PAY to Help Alleviate Poverty in Caribbean?

Tag ‘Em Today, Catch ‘Em Tomorrow!

GPSMAP 8600 series ®

Available in 17”, 22” and 24”

TIME TO reel it all in.

“Let’s catch fish,” they say. Great. Only it’s up to me to find them. Good thing I can see everything from up here on my fully integrated glass helm. I control radar, sonar, charts, engines, music, video and more – all on beautiful, large format, full HD LCD touchscreens with the highest resolution on the water. Find fish? Indeed.

IT’S YOUR TIME.

Garmin.com

© 2017 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries

IN THIS ISSUE

TBF TEAM Ellen Peel President

Peter Chaibongsai Director of Conservation Programs

12

Tag & Release Winners

14

MEMBER PROFILE: Damon Chouest

Deborah Cummings Membership Manager

Robert Jones Chief Operating Officer

Adrienne Katz Science & Policy Associate

20

3 GENERATIONS CLUB: The Spencer Family

24

NEW SPONSOR: 20echo

Dr. C. Phillip Goodyear Scientist

Herbert Nanne Conservation Director,

DEPARTMENTS

5 Chairman’s Message 12 Tagging News 24 Advocacy 29 Science

Central America

32 On the Docks 30 Merchandise 36 Membership 38 Calendar

Jackie Marsolais Graphic Designer

ON THE COVER TBF’s 2017 Artist of the Year is South Florida native, Dennis Friel. He has an art studio in Coral Springs, Florida and is also recognized as a skilled tounament angler. To obtain a print of Dennis’ beautiful vibrant paintng, “Combustion” shown on the cover, join TBF or renew your membership for $250 or more. To learn more about Dennis Friel, check out his artist profile on page 8.

Austin Coit To advertise in Billfish, please send inquiries to info@Billfish.org Billfish is owned and operated by The Billfish Foundation. All rights reserved. Copyright 2017. Printed in the USA.

5100 N. Federal Hwy. #200 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 800-438-8247 www.Billfish.org

TBF’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Message from the

CHAIRMAN

CHAIRMAN Keith English

VICE CHAIR Chase Offield

I am a fisherman. As long as I can remember, I have had a passion that drives me to fish as often as I possibly can. I don’t know where that passion comes from, I just know I don’t want it to go away.

TREASURER Joan Vernon

For the past 31 years, The Billfish Foundation has been at the forefront of billfish and tuna conservation efforts. These efforts take many forms, scientific studies to gather better understanding of the species, helping shape local / state / federal / international policies related to billfish and tuna, working with tournaments to set up best practices, and many other facets of developing a comprehensive conservation plan. Our predecessors on the Board of Directors and Executive Team laid the groundwork for what has been tremendous growth in awareness and movement toward a sustainable billfish and tuna ecosystem.

Now it is our turn to continue the work done by those before us. We have to bring our passion to further their efforts and continue to learn more about and protect the species that provides us with so much joy. There is still so much we don’t know about the species and how we can best design efforts to protect the resource to make sure we have access to billfish and tuna for the years to come. TBF will embark on a number of projects this year to further our understanding: satellite tagging, traditional tagging and recapture reports, and other studies that will help us gather more data to learn more and better our understanding of the lives of these fish.

We will also continue to work with tournaments like those in the Gulf of Mexico that have recently committed to their ongoing conservation efforts by significantly raising minimum lengths for fish to be taken. These commitments and those from other tournament directors that have set high standards for taken fish not only help keep more fish in the oceans but show the fishing community and policy makers that we are serious about our conservation efforts.

TBF is a recreational fisherman’s focused organization. Our mission is to make sure that we use the data gathered from studies to help shape regulations that benefit recreational fishermen now and into the future. Crafting and implementing best practices and laws that ensure that we as fishermen are not bullied by commercial interests, or inappropriately targeted for over regulation by groups looking to shut down billfishing grounds, will help us ensure that we can continue our pursuits of these noble creatures. But to make sure we are allowed to help set these policies TBF and our fishing community must continue to lead the way in common sense conservation practices.

To make these efforts the most effective, we need your help. Our members and partners are the only way we can continue our mission. Whether you fish for a living or fish once a year for these magnificent animals, your contributions financially and in using proper fishing, handling, and tagging techniques help TBF fulfill its mission and spread the word about how we can reach our goals. It is all of our responsibilities to be the stewards of these fish and to ensure we have the best fishing today and into the future. We are in this together.

It is my honor to help in this effort and thank you for your continued support.

Respectfully,

Keith English Chairman, TBF

SECRETARY Jack Duvall

Luis L. Bacardi John Brownlee Gary J. Chouest

Curtis Colgate Scott Cooper Angelo DePaola, MBGFC Johnny Dorland – OBBC Charles “Fin” Gaddy Bill Gooch Elaine “Lainey” Jones Sandra MacMillan Tim Simpson

EMERITUS

Francisco Rangel Castelazo Paxson Offield Don Tyson Ralph “Agie” Vicente Jack Willits

FOUNDING CHAIRMAN

Winthrop P. Rockefeller 1948-2006

PRESIDENT

Ellen M. Peel, J.D. LL.M.

TBF achieves successes worldwide to advance the conservation of billfish and associated species, to improve the status of the fish, the health of the oceans, fishing opportunities and related economies.

WELCOME ANGELO DEPAOLA, President of the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club, to TBF’s Board of Directors. Angelo lives in Orange Beach, AL with his wife April and first born daughter Charlie Jane. He is the managing partner at Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty located at Orange Beach Marina. His love of sportfishing instilled in him by his father and grandfather led him to become an active member of the MBGFC. As president of the MBGFC he’s looking forward to growing angler participation in the club’s five tournaments. By affiliating itself with organizations of similar purpose the club hopes to further its mission to foster, promote and increase interest in the sport of big game fishing.

32nd Annual

The Ladies Annual Fish-Off benefits The Billfish Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida. As the name implies only lady anglers may fish the tournament, but men can join in on the fun as captain and crew.

JUNE 1ST - 4TH, 2017 OVER $20,000 IN CASH AND PRIZES! The top ten boats and top three anglers will receive over $20,000 in cash and prizes along with the top three largest fish: blackfin tuna, cobia, dolphin, kingfish and wahoo.

Top family, top junior, top captain and top pee-wee prizes will also be awarded.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available: ladiesfishoff@gmail.com

WWW.LADIESFISHOFF.COM

Follow us on Facebook: @ladiesfishoff • Instagram: ladiesfishoff LFO Ad.indd 1

1/18/17 5:44 PM

Dennis Friel

TBF’s 2017 Artist of the Year

TBF proudly announces the selection of South Florida native Dennis Friel as its 2017 Artist of the Year. Dennis fondly recalls “as a kid growing up in South Florida fishing, surfing and diving the waters from Palm Beach to the Keys, I always drew fish and the sea. To build those childhood experiences into a career has made me feel very fortunate.”

As an avid tournament angler, Dennis’ ability to visually portray the saltwater lifestyle is unique. He also draws from his south Florida roots to discover new points of inspiration. Fusing both traditional and non-traditional methods into his paintings, illustrations and designs gives him the flexibility to render his concepts in a variety of mediums and methods. All of this comes together in his stunning painting “Combustion” featured on this issue’s cover.

Dennis honed his craft by combining over 20 years of experience as both a Creative Director and a professional artist, which allowed him to complete work for some of the world’s leading sportfishing boats and marine businesses. He runs a fine art, illustration and design studio developed to create impactful imagery for the marine industry.

Specializing in painting marine life and creating fine art prints and

8 | The Billfish Foundation

apparel, his goal is to keep pushing to set new standards in this field.

Dennis’ growing reputation has led to his selection as the official artist for major fishing tournaments, including Jimmy Johnson’s 2013 National Billfish Tournament, the 2015 Custom Shootout and 2015 Ladies Annual Fish Off. His work also appears in industry publications, Florida Sport Fishing, Marlin World and Professional Yacht Broker.

A loving husband and father of two children, Dennis believes in conserving resources for future generations and holds close to his heart his commitment to

support and conserve natural resources and fisheries.

TBF members who join or renew at $250 or more will receive a signed and numbered print of Friel’s “Combustion.”

A

NEW PARTNER to The Billfish

Foundation (TBF) is John Burrell’s High Adventure Company (HAC), which has owned, managed and represented the finest fishing, hunting, and luxury resorts in the top sporting destinations around the world for more than 30 years.

HAC offerings include the best fly fishing destination in South America, North America’s top waterfowl

In addition to planning memorable sporting trips, HAC offers a menu of services to land managers and sporting property owners that include: sporting property management, consulting services in hospitality, guidance in wildlife and fisheries management, and expertise in hunting and fishing. As the exclusive outfitter for the Beretta Trident Program, HAC has earned the Sporting Classics Magazine Award of Excellence four different times, and is a recipient of Garden and Gun’s Best of The Sporting South award.

Acknowledged by Eddie Bauer as “one of the most respected operators of the finest sporting lodges worldwide,” guests are sure to have an exceptional experience when they travel with HAC.

operation, private quail plantations in Alabama and Georgia, and driven shoots all over Europe, to name just a few. They take pride in each venue that they represent, and guarantee an outstanding experience for their clients.

High Adventure Company hosted TBF’s 2016 Blue Marlin Satellite Tagging Expedition in the Gulf of Mexico at their Port Eads Marina, located at the mouth of the mighty Mississippi River, 24 miles downriver from where the road ends south of New Orleans. Port Eads is another

Satellite tag deployed on blue marlin. Photo by R.Tindell

example of a unique operation in HAC’s portfolio. It is the closest marina to the continental shelf (5 miles south) and the 100 fathom curve in the Gulf of Mexico, which guarantees world-class fishing for pelagic species offshore and redfish, trout, and tarpon inshore. The facilities at Port Eads offer slips for 60 boats, 17,000 square feet of dock space, accommodations for 48 anglers, as well as diesel, gasoline, ice, and a full restaurant. TBF’s management staff, scientists, and other expeditionary participants received first class treatment with excellent accommodations and great food during their stay at Port Eads with HAC’s owner, John Burrell, and HAC’s 5-star Executive Chef, Sean Finley.

“Our experience was excellent with HAC in the very remote Port Eads,” said Ellen Peel, TBF President, “I anticipated a ‘roughing it’ experience, but that was far from the

case.” In evening conversations with Burrell, Peel said that she “was really impressed when she learned of the expanse of HAC hunting and fishing operations around the world and their resource management expertise.”

HAC donated an exclusive quail hunting trip to Otter Creek Farm in Alabama for the live auction at TBF’s “Back to the ’80s” 30th Anniversary Gala, held last November in Ft. Lauderdale.

This auction item drew a lot of excitement, and was sold to the top bidder. Otter Creek Farm promises southern grandeur and a very private experience, allowing no more than 6 guns on the property at a time. It was featured on the cover of Garden and Gun’s December/January 2017 issue as “one of the country’s elite sporting getaways.”

We highly recommended visiting one of the High Adventure Company’s destinationsfor an unforgettable sporting experience of a lifetime.

HighAdventureCompany.com

Join TBF at www.Billfish.org | 11

TAGGING NEWS

THE BILLFISH FOUNDATION’S

2015-2016 CONSERVATION RECORD HOLDERS The Billfish Foundation’s (TBF) Tag and Release Award winners, the “who’s who” in the billfishing world will be honored during the International Tag and Release Awards Ceremony at Miami’s Jungle Island on February 17, 2017. Earning one of the prestigious awards, produced and donated by King Sailfish Mounts, symbolizes a year of hard work, great fishing and/or boat and fish handling skills plus a commitment to a future with billfishing. Leaders in the sportfishing industry sponsor the Tag and Release Program and Ceremony and include Costa Sunglasses, PELAGIC Gear, Casa Vieja Lodge, Garmin Inc., YETI Coolers, Casa de Campo, International Game Fish Tournament Observers Inc., Makaira Adventures, Sailfish Brewing Company, and 20echo.

YOUTH WINNERS TOP TAGGING YOUTH DIVISION AGES 8 & UNDER

Darren Philipps – Guatemala City, Guatemala Runner-Up: Charles Gaddy – Manteo, NC USA AGES 11-12

Hefner Appling – Port Aransas, TX USA Runner-Up: Aidan Burke – Los Angeles, CA USA AGES 13-15

GULF OF MEXICO MARLIN TAGGING COMPETITION Top Overall Tagging Angler – Kaleb Richardson – Lafayette, LA USA Top Overall Tagging Captain – Myles Colley – Pensacola, FL USA Top Tagging Angler – Blue Marlin – Dana Foster – Pensacola, FL USA Top Tagging Angler – White Marlin – Kaleb Richardson – Lafayette, LA USA Top Tagging Captain – Blue Marlin – Myles Colley – Pensacola, FL USA

Kaleb Richardson – Lafayette, LA USA Runner-Up: Jamyn Kirkland – Englewood, FL USA

Top Tagging Captain – White Marlin – Chris Mowad – Pensacola, FL USA

AGES 16-17

Top Tagging Lady Angler – Lisa Foster – Pensacola, FL USA

Toby Mason – Dampier, WA Australia Runner-Up: Nuno Abohbot Jr. – Luanda, Angola

TOP RELEASE AGES 8 & UNDER

Darren Philipps – Guatemala City, Guatemala Runner-Up: Brown Gaddy – Manteo, NC USA AGES 9-10

Top Tagging Junior Angler – Kaleb Richardson – Lafayette, LA USA Top Tagging Boat – Born2Run – Pensacola, FL USA

SOFLO SAILFISH CIRCUIT Top Release Angler – Jacob Lepera – Boynton Beach, FL USA

Elise Standing – Virginia Beach, VA USA

Top Release Captain, Private – Doug Covin – Miami, FL USA

AGES 11-12

Top Release Captain, Charter – Dean Panos – Pembroke Pines, FL USA

Ian Perez – Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Runner-Up: Cameron Johnson – Davie, FL USA

Top Release Junior Angler – Shawn MacMullin – Key Largo FL USA

AGES 13-15

Top Tagging Angler – Shawn MacMullin – Key Largo FL USA

Caetlin O’Brien – Duxbury, MA USA Runner-Up: Ethan Standing – Virginia Beach, VA

Top Tagging Captain Private – Doug Covin – Miami, FL USA

AGES 16-17

Top Tagging Junior Angler – Shawn MacMullin – Key Largo FL USA

Toby Mason – Dampier, WA Australia Runner-Up: Rory Brown – Mount Pleasant, SC USA

Top Release Lady Angler – CeCe Imbrie – Naples, FL USA

Top Tagging Captain Charter – Bouncer Smith – Miami, FL USA Top Tagging Lady Angler – Dawn Samuels – Palm Beach Gardens, FL USA

CAPE VERDE REGIONAL TAG & RELEASE COMPETITION Top Tagging Angler – Paul Gerlach – Hobe Sound, FL USA Top Tagging Captain, Private – Bertrand Bouchard – Port Gentil, Gabon Top Tagging Captain, Charter – Martin Bates – Auckland, New Zealand Top Release Angler – Arthur Choate – Miami, FL USA

Top Release Captain, Private – Randy Hodgekiss – Orange Beach, AL USA Top Release Captain, Charter – Zak Conde – San Vicente, Cape Verde Top Release Junior Angler – Cameron Johnson – Davie, FL USA Top Release Lady Angler – Amanda Cofer – Carolina Beach, NC USA

TAGGING NEWS

HAWAII REGIONAL TAG & RELEASE COMPETITION Top Tagging Angler – Jada Holt – Kailua-Kona, HI USA Top Tagging Captain – Gene Vander Hoek – Kailua-Kona, HI USA Top Tagging Lady Angler – Jada Holt – Kailua-Kona, HI USA

Top Release Angler – Paul Dolinoy – Huntington Beach, CA USA Top Release Captain – Chris Choy – Kailua-Kona, HI USA

TOP TAGGING ANGLERS – ATLANTIC OCEAN

TOP RELEASE ANGLERS – ATLANTIC OCEAN

Blue Marlin – Kaleb Richardson – Lafayette, LA USA Sailfish – Marco Couto – Luanda, Angola Swordfish – Richard Gudoian – Key Largo, FL USA White Marlin – Laurent Sahyoun – Mandelieu, France

Blue Marlin – Mike Brauser – Lighthouse Point, FL USA Sailfish – T. David Lohr – Rockville, VA USA Spearfish – Gray Ingram – Jupiter, FL USA White Marlin – Laurent Sahyoun – Mandelieu, France

TOP TAGGING ANGLERS – INDIAN OCEAN

TOP RELEASE ANGLERS – INDIAN OCEAN

Black Marlin – Scott MacGowan – Baynton, Australia Blue Marlin – Scott MacGowan – Baynton, Australia Sailfish – Henry Riggs-Miller – Victoria, Seychelles

Black Marlin – Riley Smith – Exmouth, WA Australia

TOP TAGGING ANGLERS – PACIFIC OCEAN Black Marlin – Stephan Kreupl – Oberursel, Germany Blue Marlin – Christian Hampl – Doral, FL USA Sailfish – Chris Jessen – Sarasota, FL USA Spearfish – Julie Crispin – Sewall’s Point, FL USA Striped Marlin – Kristen Richardson – Baton Rouge, LA USA

TOP TAGGING CAPTAINS – ATLANTIC OCEAN Blue Marlin – Martin Bates – Auckland, New Zealand Sailfish – Fin Gaddy – Manteo, NC USA Swordfish – Nick Stancyzk – Islamorada, FL USA White Marlin – Christian Benazeth – Auch, France

TOP TAGGING CAPTAINS – INDIAN OCEAN Black Marlin – Eddy Lawler – Exmouth, WA Australia Blue Marlin – Eddy Lawler – Exmouth, WA Australia Sailfish – Terrence Farrell – Alyangula, NT Australia Striped Marlin – Eddy Lawler – Exmouth, WA Australia

TOP TAGGING CAPTAINS – PACIFIC OCEAN Black Marlin – Tim Richardson – Bangalow, NSW Australia Blue Marlin – Bobby McGuinness – Golfito, Costa Rica Sailfish – Ben Horning – Jupiter, FL USA Spearfish – Gene Vander Hoek – Kailua-Kona, HI USA Striped Marlin – Wilks Hammock – Pensacola, FL USA

For more information on TBF’s tagging program & competitions visit Billfish.org or call 954-938-0150

TOP RELEASE ANGLERS – PACIFIC OCEAN Black Marlin – Barry Alty – Gold Coast, QLD Australia Blue Marlin – Chris Jessen – Sarasota, FL USA Sailfish – Jack Duvall – Kemah, TX USA Striped Marlin – Jack Duvall – Kemah, TX USA

TOP RELEASE CAPTAINS – ATLANTIC OCEAN Blue Marlin – Zak Conde – San Vicente, Cape Verde Sailfish – Fin Gaddy – Manteo, NC USA Spearfish – Ronnie Fields – Lake Park, FL USA White Marlin – Christian Benazeth – Auch, France

TOP RELEASE CAPTAINS – INDIAN Black Marlin – Eddy Lawler – Exmouth, WA Australia Blue Marlin – Eddy Lawler – Exmouth, WA Australia Sailfish – Eddy Lawler – Exmouth, WA Australia

TOP RELEASE CAPTAINS – PACIFIC OCEAN Black Marlin – Brett Alty – Gold Coast, QLD Australia Blue Marlin – Ben Horning – Jupiter, FL USA Sailfish – Brad Philipps, Guatemala City, Guatemala Striped Marlin – Benito Agundez – San Ysidro, CA USA

OVERALL TAGGING WINNERS Top Overall Tagging Angler – Chris Jessen – Sarasota, FL USA Top Overall Tagging Lady Angler – Laura Jessen – Sarasota, FL USA Top Overall Tagging Youth Angler – Kaleb Richardson – Lafayette, LA USA Top Overall Tagging Captain – Ben Horning – Jupiter, FL USA

OVERALL RELEASE WINNERS Top Overall Release Angler – Chris Jessen – Sarasota, FL USA Top Overall Release Lady Angler – Lisa Everett – Nags Head, NC USA Top Overall Release Youth Angler – Darren Philipps - Guatemala City, Guatemala Top Overall Release Captain – Brad Philipps – Guatemala City, Guatemala

20ECHO.COM

Thanks To All The 2017 Tag & Release Ceremony & Program Sponsors

Teamwork, Chemistry, and Alignment of Passion on the Water . . . . . . describes the Chach sportfishing team comprised of angler Damon Chouest, Capt. David Dalfo and Mate Matt Coppoletta, a collective force, which together achieved what many teams will never come close to matching.

The small team’s ultimate success depended upon the exact execution of specific tasks at precise times by each of the three team members, much like the precision needed to compete successfully in the America’s Cup world sailing championship. Every action taken by each member of the small Chach team was critical to the ultimate team success, including attracting the fish, hooking it, bringing

it alongside the boat, resuscitating it and releasing the wild blue marlin. The goal achieved by the Chach team was the rare catching and releasing of 1,206 blue marlin by one team, on one vessel over the past 7 seasons!

Sustaining a team and repeatedly executing orchestrated tasks together distinguishes the Chach team, an unprecedented achievement.

Capt. David Dalfo, Damon Chouest and mate Matt Coppoletta

TBF President Ellen Peel said “no doubt the Chach team is highly skilled and they fished onboard one of the finest made sportfishing battlewagons, built by American Custom Yachts; the result was a highly disciplined, highly energized team on a fast, maneuverable boat – an exceptional team!”

Angler Damon Chouest achieved another personal sportfishing goal with the release of 1,507 blue marlin thus far in his young life.

His blue marlin were caught and released in the Gulf of Mexico on the C'est La Vie with his grandfather in waters off St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Venezuela, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Tonga, Hawaii, Cabo, and other locales on the family's vessels Freedom and Patriot. In 2014, Chouest and the team fished 45 days during which he caught and released 305 blue marlin, a personal one year best for Chouest, and 334 blue marlin caught as the team’s one year best. Such an accomplishment would be an extravagant lifelong goal for most anglers, who would not consider such was possible in 45 days.

Chouest’s daily best is catching and releasing 25 blue marlin and 1 striped marlin. When fishing on one moon the team’s best was catching and releasing 90 blue marlin!

Team Chach has a new American Custom Yacht (ACY) 68' under construction currently, a boat that offers more speed and range to remote destinations. There is no reason to doubt that team Chach will have many more blue marlin releases to come. Peel concluded by saying, “we’re proud at TBF to have the Chach team onboard.”

2nd Place Team Jack Pot

Tournament Winner Team Desperado

3rd Place Molly Whopper

TBF is A Proud Gold sPonsor

Winner under 40’ Vessel Team Shadow

HATTERAS MARLIN CLUB

T B F

Ensuring future fishing adventures for generations to come. Continue the legacy!

57th Annual Hatteras Marlin Club Blue Marlin Release Tournament June 25- July 1, 2017 • HatterasMarlinClub.com/Tournaments

Maverick Yachts and Sportfishing Sold on Garmin

by Will Drost Principal, Maverick Yachts & Sportfishing

Maverick Yachts builds custom cold-molded boats to fish the oceans for billfish. Period. Our boats are built for discriminating owners and captains who enjoy a simple design with exceptional handling and fishraising capabilities. We fish competitively in tournaments across Central America and also operate a fleet of Maverick charter boats out of Los Sueños Resort and Marina, with each vessel fishing over 200 days a year.

We are always looking for an advantage – consistently seeking ways to perfect and improve our fishing prowess. This season, after exhaustive research, we switched all of our vessels to Garmin Marine electronics. Now, after logging many hours at sea, we are confident our decision was sound. The Garmin open-array GMR 2526xHD2 radar and GSD 26 blackbox sounder have already provided us a noticeable advantage compared to our previous systems. Quite simply, they make us better captains and anglers.

When chasing pelagic species in the central pacific region of Costa Rica, it is imperative that electronics assist in

17 | The Billfish Foundation

finding and spotting birds, schools of porpoise and bait.

Thanks to our Garmin electronics, we can now easily and clearly find them from greater distances on our beautiful high-definition screens, and the GPS capabilities help us to mark objects or record precise positioning data for release information for the species we catch.

Finally, with their ease of use, simple “plug-andplay” installation, and with the tremendous factory support we enjoy, Garmin Marine keeps our focus on catching fish - providing both our serious tournament anglers as well as our fishing clients– many successful and enjoyable days at sea.

TAGGING NEWS

TBF’S TAGGING PROGRAM APPLAUDED

A recently released analysis of the NMFS Cooperative Tagging Program between January 2006 and December 2015, by Caitlyn Savoia, graduate student at the University of Miami, documented that during those years the program received the lowest number of tagged and recaptured reports, which collect valuable scientific data. Caitlyn attributes the decline to a “lack of volunteer participation.”

The author further recommended the government could benefit from TBF’s example of its self-entry on-line data entry system for tagged, released and recaptured billfish. She applauds TBF’s tag site for including interactive features, which improves efficiency, transparency while making the entry and when retrieving and viewing one’s data. Other features of TBF’s self-entry tagging data site heralded by the researcher includes: interactive map with a GIS interface, the ability to upload anglers’ videos and photos, ability to analyze data, interface with buoy weather and integrated with Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, all Savoia acknowledges promotes tagging data collection and participation through innovation and technology.

TBF WELCOMES 20ECHO AS A TAG & RELEASE PROGRAM SPONSOR!

The Billfish Foundation (TBF) proudly announces that 20echo is its newest Tag and Release Program sponsor, joining Casa Vieja Lodge, Costa Sunglasses, Garmin, King Sailfish Mounts, Pelagic Gear, and Yeti in support of the scientific data collecting program. Begun in 1990, the Program has produced the world’s largest private billfish tagging data resource, the organization’s cornerstone program. Angler-generated data is made available for scientists to improve billfish research.

TBF’s partnership with 20echo.com will bolster data collection for years to come by giving anglers a fast, onboard means to capture weather, oceanic and fish data at the exact spot where a billfish tag, release or recapture occurs, simply by taking a photo. “The data then will be shared with TBF,” said Daniel Miers, 20echo’s founder and developer of the revolutionary new tool, who added “20echo.com was built with conservation in mind.”

Gerard Ramos, CEO of Revelry Labs, a custom software and digital product studio based in New Orleans, Louisiana, that created the software said, “It’s really that simple, take or upload a photo of your billfish, enter the tag number if the fish was tagged, and the angler immediately has the ability to positively impact TBF’s data collection for science and conservation.

Peter Chaibongsai, TBF’s Director of Science and Policy, said, “we are excited about 20echo’s partnership to assist in billfish data collection, which supports conservation via their innovative and interactive tool.

No doubt anglers and captains will enjoy using the 20echo services.”

TBF welcomes 20echo and invites other companies to become a Tag & Release Program sponsor and show their business’s support of billfish conservation!

Learn more about TBF’s Tag and Release program by contacting us at 954-938-0150 or email tag@billfish.org.

May 4th and 6th, 2017 at the Miami Beach Marina

Fish The 2017 Miami Sportfish Tournament Fish for Dolphin, Tuna, Kingfish, Wahoo, Cobia, Billfish & Mutton Snapper!

25’ Contender with Twin Yamaha 150HP 4-Stroke Engines!

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY! Call: 305-598-2525 or Visit: www.miamisportfish.com

Leave from Any Inlet | Fish Unlimited Lines! Brand New Contender Boat Comes Great Parties, Prizes & Gifts!

KICK-OFF PARTY THURSDAY & FISHING SATURDAY!

Complete with Bluewater Tower T-Top & Leaning Post, Tigress Outriggers & Accessories and a Continental Trailer

25 per Ticket

$

or 5 for $100

Winner need not be present Proceeds benefit Marine Conservation & Education

THE 3 GENERATIONS CLUB Continues the Billfishing Legacy & Much More

Seeing three generations of a family fish together is very gratifying today when so many diverse activities often pull family members in different directions. What a shame, for the time together on a boat is lost time for sharing a passion and building memories. The families who invest time and money to billfish together or fish for any species for generations reflect highly on our community and contribute to a rich sportfishing legacy we want to continue.

Fishing as a family engenders respect, fondness, team work, discipline, patience and an ability to relate to multiple generations. In addition, learning and participating in an activity enjoyed by a family member two generations older will instill pride and strengthens one’s sense of belonging and family.

Some families join the 3 Generation Club through a family sportfishing business while other members fish together simply for the pleasure of fishing and being together. The first family highlighted by TBF is the boat building family of Paul Spencer from Wanchese, North Carolina. Family patriarch Paul began working as a mate at age 12 and within 7 years had his captain’s license. In 1996, he transitioned from running a charter boat operation to building boats and in 2016 sold his 100th hull. From years of running boats, Paul identified aspects he considered functional necessities in a boat, which were not yet incorporated in boats, then incorporated them into his Spencer Yachts. His sense of style remains true to the Carolina design, but with a few modifications that make his boats run smoother and more efficient. Paul and his wife, Shelly, have 5 children, most of whom work at Spencer Yacht’s, Inc., and 12 grandchildren to date.

During the 2016 Hatteras Marlin Club’s Blue Marlin Tournament, an outstanding family event, three generations of the Spencer family participated. Two junior members of the family, Ella, age 10, and Landon, age 9, children of Rebecca and Daniel Spencer, attended the award’s ceremony. Landon won Top Junior Angler and the award for the Largest Junior Dolphin.

20 20 || The The Billfish Billfish Foundation Foundation

Ella, her parents and grandfather, Paul “Paw” Spencer, stood by proudly applauding Landon’s success as he received his trophies. When the band began to play after the awards ceremony, Ella led her grandfather to the dance area where they danced and smiled together for several songs. Both children were very articulate and willing to talk about their fishing family. From an Join TBF at www.Billfish.org | 20

observer’s perspective, watching the Spencer family members was gratifying for many reasons. The family is making valuable contributions to our rich billfishing legacy and insuring it will continue for generations.

After watching the Spencer family members in Hatteras, Daniel, Ella and Landon were asked to share some memories of growing up in their sportfishing family. Their stories follow in the next few paragraphs.

DANIEL SPENCER- son of Paul Spencer and Ella and Landon’s father. Like his father Paul, Daniel began fishing and riding along with his dad offshore any time he had the chance. He secured his first job as a mate on a boat at the early age of 12, followed by receiving his captain’s license at age 21. Since high school Daniel has worked for the family business and established a reputation as an excellent captain.

In Daniel’s words, “fishing with children and grandchildren is something our family has done for generations. Growing up I always enjoyed going to work on the water with my father, Paul Spencer.

Many life lessons where taught in the cockpit of our charter boat. While having two children of my own (Ella & Landon), I wanted to make sure they were given the same experience that I had in my youth.

The only thing that makes fishing with my children even better are the days my father is also onboard.

It does not get much better then looking down into the cockpit and seeing your dad help your child 21 | The Billfish Foundation

crank in a fish. I was fortunate enough to be able to fish with generations of family members and so blessed my children have the same privilege.”

LANDON SPENCER, age 9 “I like to fish with my Dad (Daniel Spencer ) and my grandfather Paul-Paw (Paul Spencer) because we always have fun. We like to catch Marlins, Sailfish and Meat fish. When there are no bites we always have candy in the refrigerator and my mom isn’t around to tell me no more! I think fishing is important because I get to have fun with my family doing something we all love.”

ELLA SPENCER, age 10 “Fishing with my Paul-Paw (Paul Spencer) and Dad (Daniel Spencer) is exciting because you never know what is going to happen. Some days we catch a lot and other days we dance a lot! I love dancing especially with my Paul-Paw on the boat or at the tournaments.

I also enjoy fishing out of my hometown and out of the country. It’s always fun learning new things and a day of fishing is a guaranteed day of learning.”

If your family is a member of a current three generation billfishing family, send us your story and photos so we can share those in an upcoming issue of Billfish.

Join TBF at www.Billfish.org | 21

THE BILLFIS

H FOUNDAT

ION

GOES

THEY PARTIE

GAN E B L L A T WHEN I Celebrating TBF’s 30th Anniversary at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort last November transported guests back in time beginning with the Miami Vice scarab and car, Bacardi and Sailfish Brewery libations and a hot band, The Click, which had the room rock’in.

Three Rybovich Lifetime Achievement Award winners were honored for their long commitment to billfish conservation and the sportfishing community.

The winners were Captain Kelvin “Red” Bailey, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Captain Ernie Foster, Hatteras, North Carolina and Bonnie Powell, Brandon, Florida. The Award is named in honor of the late John Rybovich, a pioneer in billfish conservation and sportfishing vessel design. Four big game fishing clubs were honored for their commitment to TBF during its first thirty years, including Mobile Big Game Fishing Club, Club Nautico de San Juan, Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club and New Orleans Big Game Fishing Club.

The sponsors made the event possible – Louisiana Cat the Marquis Sponsor, Bacardi, Blaze Outdoor Products, C&L Insurance, Casa Vieja, Dragonfly Boatworks, Ecuagringo, Flanigan’s, Galati Yacht Sales, Grady-White Boats, HMY Yachts, Marina Casa de Campo, One Vanilla and Viking Yachts.

The fantastic items donated to the live auction insured a successful evening and included a Dragonfly Boatworks custom paddle board, a High Adventure Company’s Quail Hunting Trip in Alabama, a Custom Bufkin Air Design hand etched piece of art - Time Traveler, a fishing trip out of Casa Vieja Lodge, a fishing and sightseeing trip in the Galapagos with Ecuagringo, a large Blue Marlin Mount by King Sailfish Mounts, a Blaze Aluminum Kamado, a custom “Brew Master for the Day” experience from Sailfish Brewing Company and an International GT Racing Experience. The huge number of items donated to the silent auction guaranteed something for everyone.

Mark your calendar for Friday, November 3, 2017 and get ready to rock with TBF! 22 | The Billfish Foundation

Join TBF at www.Billfish.org | 22

ED LIKE THERE WAS NO TOMORROW!

23 | The Billfish Foundation

Join TBF at www.Billfish.org | 23

ADVOCACY

only be a symbolic conservation gesture that punishes U.S. businesses and fishing interests. Recovery of this species, which swims tens of thousands of miles each year and is caught by many nations, demands genuine international management.

In 2015, anglers on the U.S. west coast had their bluefin tuna daily bag limit of 10 fish reduced to 2 fish a day. To stop all U.S. recreational landings would be punitive and fish taken away from U.S. anglers would be caught by other nations.

Courtesy of Shishihenge & Wikipedia

ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS USE THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT Dusky Sharks Final regulations to protect Atlantic dusky sharks, through Amendment 5b to the Atlantic HMS Fishery Management Plan, will be released by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in March 2017. The amendment follows the government’s decision not to list dusky sharks under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and subsequent litigation by an environmental organization.

Included in the Draft Regulations is a SHARK ENDORSEMENT option box, which if you check it when renewing your HMS Angling vessel permit for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS), means you will be ”fishing for sharks”. Vessels “fishing for sharks” will be required, as the proposed regulations now read, to fish with circle hooks all the time regardless whether you are actually targeting billfish or tunas.

24 | The Billfish Foundation

Oceanic Whitetip Sharks are now recommended by the NMFS to be listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).” This listing could have negative ramifications for offshore trolling, so please stay in touch with TBF for the latest news on the subject.

Pacific Bluefin Tuna

Follow TBF on

Social Media Stay up-to-date on all the important conservation news

Environmental organizations filed a petition with the NMFS to list Pacific Bluefin tuna under the ESA. The agency has begun a one year Status Review to determine whether a listing is warranted. A listing would

Courtesy of NOAA

ADVOCACY

Sportfishing Might Be Charged to Help Alleviate Poverty in the Caribbean . . . should that fall within reasonable fisheries management?

The Caribbean Billfish Project, a $1.95 million exercise supported by the UN and the World Bank, and executed by the Western Central Atlantic Fisheries Commission (WECAFC) in Barbados, proposes a ” rights-based” billfish management strategy for commercial, recreational and coastal fishers.

fishing vessels pay “rents” and foreign commercial fleets pay fees, some nations would collect twice. Distant water fleets threaten Caribbean food security and its sportfishing eco-tourism trade by overfishing billfish and other species. Locals cannot compete.

“Rights-based” strategies limit fishing access and allocations through a variety of tools, including marine reserves, fishery-wide quotas based on catches not landings, stakeholder group administration, cooperatives and payment of fees (rents), etc. One published paper from the Project provides “enough value exists in the recreational fisheries sector to compensate losses in the commercial fisheries sector.” This transfer of financial resources would require recreational fishing boats to pay “rents” to compensate commercial fishers for loss of billfish caught by anglers, not just for landed fish.

A second Project study “. . . recognizes that it is a challenge to apply “rightsbased” approaches in the developing world . . . the answer is to secure rights to the fishery to end the race to fish and to put proper incentives in place to increase wealth and sustainability.” A goal consistent with FAO’s goals to (1) eradicate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; (2) eliminate poverty and advance social and economic progress, and (3) manage and use natural resources sustainably. All honorable goals, but they should remain beyond the scope of fishery management. But, if environmental organizations prevail, “rights-based” management will become mainstream.

Greater benefits could flow to local fishers and billfish if Caribbean nations stopped authorizing foreign fleets to fish in their waters and stopped re-flagging other fleets; government fees are collected in both situations. If recreational

“Rights-based” billfish strategies raise questions and uncertainties for Caribbean marinas/resorts, charter operations and tournaments. How could businesses factor in a fee for each billfish caught, not landed? If a

fishery-wide quota were met before a scheduled tournament or booked charters, how could businesses meet obligations? If the U.S. embraced the “right-based” strategy for waters around Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, would Atlantic billfish management begin to unravel?

Highly migratory marlin cannot be managed as “straddling stocks,” as described in the Caribbean Project. Atlantic billfish fall within the jurisdiction of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, a well-established international organization with billfish history for improving management and science, well beyond the Caribbean.

A priority should be to avoid another layer of international billfish management by not placing any responsibility with FAO’s WECAFC in the Caribbean.

Perhaps the $1.9 million could have been possibly more beneficial had it been directed toward specific problems faced by local fishers.

Gulf Spill Restoration Advances a $20 Million Plan to Reduce Bycatch in Gulf of Mexico Good news, the Gulf Restoration Program has authorized $20 million to help reduce pelagic longline bycatch and add protections for bluefin tuna within their Gulf of Mexico spawning grounds. The project, which begins March1, is the first direct fish restoration project and is expected to last between 5 and 10 years. Permitted pelagic longline vessels will be offered funds not to fish for up to 6 months; the compensated months will be added to the already required National Marine Fisheries Service’s 2 month closure in April and May. The project will be administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Longline vessels agreeing to participate in the program will be allowed to fish with alternative gear, likely including buoy gear or greenstick gear. The project can greatly benefit bluefin tuna, billfish and other species caught as bycatch in pelagic longline gear.

2017

TOURNAMENTS

• MEMORIAL DAY May 26 – 29, 2017

• MEMORIAL DAY Outboard Shootout May 26 – 27, 2017

• JUNIOR ANGLER TOURNAMENT July 7 – 8, 2017

• BILLFISH LIMITED TOURNAMENT July 28 – 30, 2017

• LADIES TOURNAMENT August 4 – August 6, 2017

• LABOR DAY INVITATIONAL Sept. 1 – Sept. 4, 2017

• LABOR DAY OUTBOARD SHOOTOUT Sept. 1 – Sept. 2, 2017

Visit MBGFC.org for more info!

1st Tournament of the Gulf Coast Triple Crown Championship Series

OBBC

© Austin Coit

MAY 17-21, 2017 • ORANGEBEACHBILLFISHCLASSIC.COM

SCIENCE

No Longline Research in Closed Zone

...destroying a conservation success makes no sense Recently, the NMFS received an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application from Dr. David Kerstetter, Nova Southeastern University, to authorize a research project using 6 longline boats within Florida’s East Coast Longline Closed Zone. The project proposes to evaluate the effectiveness of the 16 year closure by comparing fishing results in the closed waters to results in open waters. Fish caught during the research period would be sold to offset expenses.

The zone was closed in 2001 to protect juvenile swordfish primarily and other species taken as bycatch in longline gear, including billfish, sea turtles and overfished shark species.

Buoy gear, which takes no bycatch, replaced longlines in the then newly closed waters and proved to be compatible with recreational fishing and sustaining marine resources.

Courtesy of NOAA

The gear fishes sustainably, contrary to longline gear, as stated clearly in a CNN story featuring Dr. Kerstetter and the owner of the longline boats listed in the research proposal.

(See http://www.cnn.com/videos/ world/2012/10/15/zarrella-ecoswordfish.cnn) A curious reversal by Dr. Kerstetter and the longline vessel owner. Since the zone was closed, swordfish recovered and catches of sailfish, yellowfin tuna, marlin and other species increased, generating stronger economic returns to Florida’s east coast businesses from the healthier marine resources.

The closed zone is a conservation success, so why risk destroying it

by allowing longline gear to return?

The U.S. commercial longline swordfish fishery continues to fail in landing their quota, which might be part of the motivation to return to the zone, hoping from its waters, the quota could be filled.

Many speculate the opposite, pointing out larger longline vessels are needed to increase landings by fishing in distant waters. In 2016, with all US gear types fishing for swordfish combined, only 36.7% of the quota was landed. But that which was landed by buoy gear provided a fresher product.

Gambling away the conservation and economic successes generated within the closed zone makes no sense. This EFP should not be approved.

Point 4 is 27 miles from shore, 37 Miles from Port Canaveral Inlet Point 6 is 22 miles from the point at Canaveral.

Point 8 is 24.5 miles from land, 30.8 miles from Ponce Inlet.

The NMFS accepts public comments on whether to grant the permit through February 16, 2017 at nmfs.hms.pllefp@noaa. gov. Please go to the TBF website: www.billfish.org to download a template with draft comments.

Join TBF at www.Billfish.org | 29

ALL “BUTT” THE PIG HAD FUN In early December, 2016, The Billfish Foundation (TBF), Saltwater Brewery in Delray Beach, Florida, and the “Crazy Cuban” Robert “Fly” Navarro hosted an inaugural pig roast and beer fest to benefit TBF! The event attracted hundreds of people, who enjoyed great beers and fantastic roasted pork, which “Fly” cooked in mojo spices in his own Caja China box. Fly, having grown up in a Cuban household, was taught this cooking method by the men in his family, a tradition passed from generation to generation.

Saltwater’s four founders, local Floridians, consider the “world’s greatest wonder” to be the ocean and its resources, which inspired the business name and its brews. Founded in 2013, Saltwater’s mission includes the © Peter Agardy & Robert Fly Navarro conservation goal of “giving back” through ocean based charities, including TBF. It’s six pack rings for their canned beer, which is canned on site, will soon (patents are being finalized) be edible, compostable and biodegradable for they will be made from brewing byproducts. The philosophy behind the eco-design is to feed sea creatures rather than kill them, as often happens when sea turtles get plastic six pack rings around their necks.

Saltwater’s laid back setting made for a fun and casual event. TBF staff enjoyed placing faces with names they had read hundreds of times on tag and release cards. In fact, two tag and release winners in TBF’s SoFLo Sailfish Circuit competition were among the guests joining the fun and sharing TBF’s sportfishing conservation message.

The event generated new friends, TBF members and a donation from the proceeds, which made for a good time for all, “butt the pig.”

31 | The Billfish Foundation

Join TBF at www.Billfish.org | 31

ON THE DOCKS

Tournaments & Events Supporting TBF 11TH ANNUAL PALM BEACH SAILFISH CLASSIC

PRESIDENTIAL ARUBA CARIBBEAN CUP For the second year in a row, Ruben “Bincho” Mansur Jr.

Once again, under

and his highly competitive team aboard the 57-foot Paul

the direction of

Mann, Naira, emerged victorious in the Presidential Aruba

Pat Ross, the Palm

Caribbean Cup, presented by the Aruba Airport Authority

Beach Sailfish

and hosted by Varadero Aruba Marina and Boatyard. The

Classic achieved

team caught and released three blue marlin, six white

great success in

marlin and two sailfish, plus earned two 100-point bonuses

raising funds for

for the grand slams on Days One and Two. Naira’s angler

Make-A-Wish

Carlos Isaza was Top Angler. The second-place team,

Foundation and

Living Easy, owned by Herbert Merryweather, caught and

providing teams

released one blue marlin and five white marlin, placing

with an exciting

its angler Anthony Pinzon in second place as Top Angler.

fishing experience

In total 70 billfish were released during the tournament,

through the

13 blue marlin, 43 white marlin and 14 sailfish, all

release of 124

on 30-pound test line with non-offset circle hooks.

sailfish and 1 blue marlin. Through Pat Ross, Eric Penna, Robert Fly Navarro

its 11 year history,

the tournament has made 55 wishes come true for deserving children. The Billfish Foundation and two students, who will pursue college degrees in a marine field of study, also benefited from the tournament.

Doing It All, owned by Daryl Deka, won Top Team honors with 22 releases. Top Angler and Top Junior Angler awards were won by 16 year old Eric Perna with 7 sailfish onboard the Martha D with Captain Scott Fawcett. Mary Rose Boblin onboard the Reel Captivating

Team Naira

won the Top Lady Angler award with 4 sailfish releases.

The Cup, under the direction of TBF Board Member

Lev Mullins on the Princess Lily, owned by Michael

Joan Vernon, is a highly sought after event in

Samuels caught the biggest meat fish, a dolphin.

the southern Caribbean for it enjoys a reputation

For information on this year’s Classic November 16-18, 2017 contact Pat Ross at fishgalblue@aol.com.

for friendly competition, entertaining dockside parties and a good billfish hook-up rate.

For information about next year’s cup contact Joan Vernon at joan@preschallenge.com.

Be part of a worthy organization!

Advertise in Billfish magazine Contact Adrienne Katz for more information 954-938-0150 x115 Or email to request a media kit: adrienne_katz@billfish.org 32 | The Billfish Foundation

MCDCFishing MarinaCDCFishingClub

THE THRILL OF THE CATCH IS JUST HALF THE FUN!

15TH ANNUAL

EMERALD COAST BLUE MARLIN CLASSIC AT SANDESTIN

®

THE RICHEST BILLFISH TOURNAMENT ON THE GULF COAST

BIG MONEY & BIG FUN Five-Day Event

More than $1.95 million in cash awards Top 10 billfish tournaments in the world The #1 Resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast Endless amenities from golf and tennis to shopping, water sports and more

To register visit fishecbc.com

15TH ANNUAL

JUNE 21-25, 2017

SHOP & SAVE with TBF! TBF features a different print each month at a special price.

Start your collection now!

TBF's 25th Anniversary print by Carey Chen.

The signed and numbered 18 x 24 print features five dynamic billfish. $49.99 Prints are unframed, additional charge for shipping and handling on international orders

T-SHIRTS

Shop our closet for bargains!

PERFORMANCE GEAR Pelagic board shorts in blue fish camo. Youth size 28/29 and guys 30-40. Material is 100% Microfiber, has elastic waistband, side cargo pocket, features TBF logo patch. Adult sizes $30, youth size $20 plus shipping & handling

Short-sleeve tee designed

by Amber Moran. Marlin with "Worldwide Billfish Conservation". TBF Logo on left front chest.

Adult sizes S-3X Youth sizes YXS-YM. $12 plus shipping & handling

Short-sleeve tee with a great message "The Billfish Foundation, World-Wide Sportfishing Community.

Adult sizes L-2X, youth sizes XS, S and M. $8 plus shipping & handling

Pelagic Gear UV with SPF 50 sun protection, stain repellant & ultra-light. Features TBF & Pelagic designs.

White in adult sizes L-2X, royal blue in XX adult and youth sizes YM & YL. Adult shirts $30, youth sizes $20 plus shipping & handling.

All sales from TBF merchandise go directly towards keeping billfish in the water for future generations of anglers to enjoy. Look good AND show your commitment to conservation all year long! For questions concerning your order, please call 800-438-8247, x106 or email Deborah_Cummings@Billfish.org

JOIN OR RENEW YOUR SUPPORT

Donate at

her to be eligible for White Marlin level or hig

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION  I want to support billfish conservation as a TBF member. I have enclosed my membership payment in the following amount:

 $25 Jr. Angler*  $50  $125  $250  $500  $1,000  $2,500  $5,000  $10,000  Other $______

MEMBERSHIP LEVELS AND BENEFITS YOUTH $25

• Full-color issues of Spearfish or Sailfish magazine • FREE TBF membership youth T-shirt

SAILFISH $50

Address

• • • •

City

WHITE MARLIN - $125

Name

State

Zip

Country Phone

Fax

Email * Youth memberships, age 17 & under

Payment Method:  Visa  MasterCard  American Express  Discover  Check Account #: Exp. Date Name on Account Signature Members-Only T-Shirt:

counts from Costa!

great new gear and dis

Complimentary release certificates Official membership card & decals Full-color issues of Billfish magazine FREE TBF membership T-shirt

Sailfish benefits plus: • TBF Visor • Costa sunglass retainer

STRIPED MARLIN - $250

Sailfish benefits plus: • Costa marlin cap • Signed & numbered print by Dennis Friel

BLUE MARLIN - $500

Striped Marlin benefits plus: • 3 Sailfish level memberships for family & friends • Costa marlin cap & sunglasses retainer

CHAIRMAN’S CLUB - $1,000

Blue Marlin benefits plus: • Dennis Friel print with hand-painted remarque • Costa card for 50% discount on1pair of sunglasses

LEGACY - $10,000 AND ABOVE

• Lifetime Chairman’s Club Level Membership • Costa card for 1 free pair of sunglasses

YOUTH SIZES:  YXS  YS  YM ADULT:  S  M  L  XL  2XL  3XL

Please fill out and return with your contribution to:

THE BILLFISH FOUNDATION PO Box 628259 • Orlando, FL 32862-9941 800-438-8247 ext. 106 www.billfish.org

Limited Edition Offer JOIN TBF or INCREASE your renewal gift by $500 or more to receive a SPECIAL EDITION TBF beverage set from .

TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP:  New  Renewal  Gift Please provide the name and address of gift giver and recipient separately if you are giving a gift membership.

Membership donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

CLUB MEMBERSHIPS & CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS FISHING CLUBS are a prime source to spread TBF’s conservation

30 oz Rambler

20 oz Rambler

message! Make YOUR Fishing Club a TBF Member at one of these levels:

 $250  $500  $1,000

TBF CORPORATE PARTNERS are a great way to

support billfish conservation and promote your business.

Corporate partnerships are available at these levels:

 $1,000  $1,500  $2,500  $5,000

10 oz Colster

Supplies are limited, so act now to receive this exclusive gift from

MAKAIRA ADVENTURE

We operate Cape Verde, Bombom/Principe Island & Gabon on G&S Boats

info@makaira-adventure.com | www.makaira-adventure.com Gabon: +241 07520222 | Canada: +1 902 870 6182 | Principe: +239 9865608

The Billfish Foundation appreciates the support of tournaments and, in turn, asks you to fish those events for they directly support billfish conservation and responsible fishing practices. If we want the thrill of billfishing to continue it takes all of us who depend on billfish in one way or another.

DO YOUR PART! JOIN TBF BECOME PART OF THE HONOR ROLL OF TOURNAMENTS!

2017 CALENDAR OF EVENTS FEBRUARY

JULY

APRIL

JAPAN INT’L. BILLFISH TOURNAMENT July 18-25 • Shimoda, Japan

TBF’S TAG & RELEASE AWARDS CEREMONY February 17 • Miami, FL

MARINA CASA DE CAMPO OPEN April 5-8 • La Romana, DR

MAY

MOBILE BGFC MEMORIAL DAY May 26-27 • Orange Beach, AL

PRESIDENTIAL CUP - FLAMINGO RODEO July 28-30 • Flamingo, Costa Rica

AUGUST

ORANGE BEACH BILLFISH CLASSIC May 17-21 • Orange Beach, AL

TEXAS LONESTAR July 18-23 • Port O’Connor, TX

NEW ORLEANS BGFC INVITATIONAL August 10-13 • Port Eads, LA

CAJUN CANYONS May 30 - June 4 • Venice, LA

JUNE

TEXAS BILLFISH CLASSIC August 16-20 • Freeport, TX

PIRATES COVE BILLFISH August 14-17 • Manteo, NC

VIRGINIA BEACH BILLFISH TOURNAMENT August 23-26 • Virginia Beach, VA

LADIES FISH OFF June 1- 4 • Fort Lauderdale, FL MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST BILLFISH CLASSIC June 6-11 • Biloxi, MS

MOBILE BIG GAME FISHING CLUB LABOR DAY

Sept.1-Sept.4 • Orange Beach, AL

CABO SUMMER SLAM June 7-10 • Cabo San Lucas, MX

SEPTEMBER

KENNY VINES MEMORIAL Sept 22-24 • Orange Beach, AL

EMERALD COAST BLUE MARLIN CLASSIC June 21-25 • Destin, FL

HATTERAS MARLIN CLUB BLUE MARLIN June 25-July 1• Hatteras, NC

PRESIDENTIAL CUP - ARUBA Oct 26-29 • Aruba TBF GALA November 3 • Fort Lauderdale, FL

PENSACOLA BGFC

June 28-July 2 • Pensacola, FL CAICOS CLASSIC June 29-July 2• Provo, Turks and Caicos

© Chris Sheeder

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