Redbone Celebrity “Fishing” Tournament Helps Raise Funds For Cystic Fibrosis

Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf - Costa Rica

Huge breakthrough in CF gene research; Redbone Celebrity Tournaments perseveres with fund-raising efforts in 25th year Costa Rica’s Crocodile Bay OSA Classic March 17 -22 helping to catch a cure for CF. PUERTO JIMENIZ, Costa Rica and ISLAMORADA, Fla. USA -- Hopefully there’s a lot to celebrate at the 25th anniversary of the Redbone Celebrity Fishing Tournament this November after a … [Read more...]

Puntarenas, Costa Rica Fishing Tournament Closed to Longliners

Panama fishing vessel

Agreement yields longline closure for this weekend’s Costa Rica fishing tournament  40-mile area commercial closure during Presidential Challenge, March 1 - 4  PUNTARENAS, Costa Rica -- (Feb. 27, 2012) – Recreational sportfishing and billfish conservation have made a huge impact on Costa Rica’s tourism and economy.  In a groundbreaking move and through a joint … [Read more...]

Costa Rica Fishing License – Fishing and Boat Fees Increase

Costa Rica Fishing License

In the past, tourist and nonresident anglers could pick whether or not they wanted a monthly ($13 USD) and/or yearly fishing license ($25 USD). Considering that most anglers come to fish once a year (about 98%) they’d pick the cheaper.  Fishermen who don't know this in advance have been known to get a little upset at having to shell out cash at the dock to get one before they set forth on a … [Read more...]

Costa Rica Sashimi – You Can Not Get It Fresher Than This

Bloody Fish

One of the bad things about growing up in a beach community and fishing since you can remember, you know what fresh fish is. So when a friend invited me to this new trendy sushi place in San Diego that boasted it had the freshest fish in town, I balked. She continued saying, “The Ahi (or Yellowfin) is flown in daily, and the sashimi is out of this world!” FRESH! - I chuckled. She and the … [Read more...]

Costa Rica’s Sportfishing and Tourism Commission Adds TBF’s Conservation Directors

Herbert Nanne TBF Costa Rica

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica --- Costa Rica, one of the world’s premier sportfishing destinations, has named Herbert Nanne, and Monica Gutierrez to the country’s recently formed Sportfishing and Tourism Commission. Nanne is a biologist and The Billfish Foundation’s (TBF) Central America Conservation Director. Gutierrez is a lawyer and President of Pronature, a sister conservation entity to … [Read more...]

Hilton Hotel & Restaurants Stops Serving Marlin & Sailfish Meat

No Grilled Marlin

In a bold move, Hilton Hotels and Resorts in Costa Rica's restaurants set example for others in promoting sportfishing ecotourism by taking sailfish and marlin off their menus. They adopted the stance after working with The Billfish Foundation and  the Costa Rica Sport Fishing Federation (FECOPT). FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. USA. – The Billfish Foundation (TBF) entered into an agreement with … [Read more...]

Bobby McGuinness – IGFA World’s Top Captain in 2010

International Game Fish Association - Worlds Top Captain - 2011

Captain Bobby McGuinness has done it again! For the second time in his illustrious 30 years as a sportfishing captain in Costa Rica, Bobby McGuinness was named the year's (2010) top captain in the world by the prestigious International Game Fish Association (IGFA). The IGFA also presented Bobby with its 2010 Lifetime Achievement award. See Bobby McGuinness Video This is the second time … [Read more...]

Government Seizes Sailfish Meat From Seafood Company

Sailfish

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. USA. – Costa Rican government officials released information to The Billfish Foundation (TBF) of the seizure from a seafood exporter, of over 7,000 kilos of sailfish meat bound for Peru. Sailfish are protected species in the popular Costa Rican fishery. Tico Times Editor Note: Costa Rica's ban of exporting billfish meat was established in Jan 2009. Investigators … [Read more...]

Sportfishing Study Will Provide Economic Roadmap For Panama

Panama and Costa Rica Sportfishing

We stand on the brink of a period of strong economic growth that will be fueled in part by a shift to a more sustainable use of our natural resources. The international market for eco-tourism is rapidly expanding and seeking new destinations, particularly in the area of sportfishing. With proper planning and execution, Panama can and should establish itself as the regional leader in this industry. … [Read more...]

Panama Launches Sportfishing Tourism Study

Panama Black Marlin

The Billfish Foundation tapped to conduct 18 month long socio-economic research... PANAMA CITY, Panama and FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., USA – Panama’s minister of science, technology and innovation has announced a socio-economic research study on the impact of sportfishing tourism. The Billfish Foundation in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., will conduct the research. In a conference call, Dr. Ruben … [Read more...]

Ocean’s Dead Zones Increase – Billfish More Exposed to Capture In Costa Rica and Other Places

Billfish Dead Zone

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. USA. – With the New Year comes new challenges to fish in our world’s oceans and one of the major concerns is the expansion of hypoxic zones. That’s the scientific name but more recreational anglers are becoming aware of them as “dead zones.” They are areas in the oceans with low or non-existent oxygen levels which, according to a recently released research study … [Read more...]

Panama, First Central American Country, Restricts Longlining

Panama - longlining vessel

PANAMA CITY, Panama and FT.  LAUDERDALE, Fla., USA  – After banning commercial purse seining from its waters in July, the Republic  of Panama has taken  further steps adding restrictions on longlining for the conservation of  its marine life and its socio-economic growth. In letters to Panamanian  officials, Ellen Peel, President of  The Billfish Foundation and Chris  Fischer founder … [Read more...]