The Billfish Foundation has added a new and striking billfish release certificate for anglers worldwide wanting to document that special fishing moment. The impressive 8 ½ x 11-inch silver foiled stamped document—complete with its Carey Chen artistry of the billfish of the world, perfect for framing to proudly display in the office or home—is offered at no additional charge to members of The Billfish Foundation. The certificate highlights the angler’s name, the date and number of billfish species released as well as the location, captain and boat.
“It’s both an instant conversation and conservation piece,” said TBF president Ellen Peel.” It’s also a way of honoring the anglers, captains and mates, TBF’s volunteer stewards of the seas, for relaying their reports of the specific areas and conditions of the billfish they caught from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans and then safely released. Some skippers and anglers are also equipped with our TBF tagging data kits.”
The release and or tagged reports are entered into TBF’s new databank and also for a yearly competition of captains, anglers and mates who generate the most annual information.
TBF science and policy specialist Elliott Stark said, “A combined total of nearly 16,000 TBF tagging data reports and release notification cards were generated last year. Of those, 8,549 billfish were released without being tagged and another 7,180 billfish were tagged and then released. TBF members from more than 70 countries are invited to participate each year.”
“When the report card reaches TBF, that information is added in our databank,” Stark added. “Since TBF houses the largest private database on billfish, managing bodies of domestic and international marine resources like the National Marine Fisheries Service and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas rely on TBF to update their databases increasing their knowledge of the migration behaviors of billfish,” he said.
“In turn,” said Peel, “Captains, mates and anglers of all ages enjoy the release certificates as a lasting way to commemorate the catch, release and conservation of a billfish. We decided to give the release certificate a more modern look by adding Carey’s stunning art. He was TBF’s Artist of the Year in 2003 and we’re proud to have his support of TBF’s conservation work. Carey’s gorgeous illustrations are in numerous TBF publications and we auction original paintings of his at our October dinner each year,” she said.
Stark added, “Anglers can receive a certificate as a free premium once they become an active member of TBF ($25 annually) or purchase them for $20 per certificate whether they release or tag a billfish. Anglers must fill out the TBF release card, which gives us a record of their catch. TBF sends non-members a confirmation report about their released billfish, where the angler confirms/edits the data submitted and has the option of purchasing the certificate or becoming a member. As long as the person is an active member of TBF, they can receive an unlimited amount of certificates under their name.”
To join TBF, visit www.billfish.orgor phone Deborah Cummings at 954-938-0150, ext. 106 or email her at Deborah_Cummings@billfish.org.
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