IGFA Conservation Update for April 2024 – International Game Fish Association

IGFA Great Marlin Race

From January to March 2024, seven tags were deployed on striped marlin (3), white marlin (3), and blue marlin (1). The three striped marlin tags were deployed as part of the inaugural SoCal IGMR Event, the 2024 New Zealand event, and the final tag of the Kona Stripey event. The white marlin tags were all deployed as part of the grant with Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, and the blue marlin was tagged independently by IGFA Trustee Bob Kurz on behalf of John Colligan. Over the same timeframe, ten tags popped up with some incredible results. The IGFA Great Marlin Race, presented by Costa Sunglasses, is a research collaboration between IGFA and Stanford University and is sponsored by AFTCO, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund and Contender.

Satellite Tag Deployments

On January 2, 2024, a tag sponsored by the Dana Angling Club was deployed on a striped marlin off Mexico’s Baja peninsula aboard the Ramble on Rose captained by Jim Kingsmill. The tag was deployed by Jim Kingsmill on the fish caught by Aiden Gottron and is expected to pop up on June 30, 2024.
On January 6, 2024, a tag was deployed on a 90-kilogram striped marlin off New Zealand. The tag was deployed by Dave Wooff aboard the Nammu where he was also the captain. This tag is expected to pop up on September 2, 2024.
On February 13, 2024, a tag sponsored by IGFA Trustee Bob Kurz was deployed on an 80lb striped marlin off Kona, Hawaii. This tag was deployed aboard the 2^nd Offense by Capt. Kevin Hibbard and was caught by Maty Robinett. It is expected to pop up on August 11, 2024.
On March 9, 2024, three tags sponsored through the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund grant were deployed on white marlin off the Dominican Republic aboard the Delta Dawn captained by Pete Manuel. These fish were all caught by Matias Raponi and tagged by his father Mike Raponi. They weighed 65 pounds, 70 pounds, and 75 pounds. These tags are expected to pop up on September 5, 2024.
On March 30, 2024, one tag was deployed on a 125-pound blue marlin out of the Dominican Republic. This tag was sponsored by John Colligan and deployed by IGFA Trustee Bob Kurz on the fish caught by Sally Kurz. The fish was caught aboard the Unbelievable, captained by VJ Bell. It is expected to pop up on November 25, 2024.

Satellite Tag Pop-Ups

On January 10, 2024, a 285-pound blue marlin tag from the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament event in Kona popped up after 152 days, 2,615 nautical miles (nm) from where it was deployed. The total estimated track length was an incredible 7,032nm. This tag was sponsored by Tim and Heidi McBride, deployed aboard the Maverick, and caught by Heidi McBride.
On January 31, 2024, a 60lb white marlin tag popped up after the full 240-day trial. It popped up just 141nm from where it was deployed. This tag was part of the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund grant.
On February 6, 2024, a 250-pound blue marlin tag deployed during the 2023 Big Rock event popped up after the full 241-day trial, 1,319nm from where it was deployed off North Carolina. This tag was sponsored by John Roberts and deployed aboard the Weldor’s Ark.
On February 8, 2024, another Big Rock blue marlin tag popped up that was sponsored by John Roberts on the Weldor’s Ark. This one, a 300-pound fish, popped up 1,169nm from where it was deployed.
On March 2, 2024, a 250-pound blue marlin tag that was deployed off Bermuda popped up after a full 240-day deployment, 2022nm from where it was placed in the fish. The total estimated track distance was 4,528nm. This tag was sponsored by Waste Knot who deployed more IGMR tags than any other boat in 2023.
On March 2, 2024, a 70-pound white marlin tag popped up that was deployed off New Jersey after a full 180-day deployment, 969nm from where it was placed. This tag was sponsored by a local group of anglers including: Fisherman’s Headquarters, Jingle’s Bait and Tackle, Michael Peluso, and the Perello family.
On March 7, 2024, a 130-pound striped marlin tag popped up, the first of the inaugural SoCal event. The tag was on the fish for 143 days and popped up 379nm from where it was deployed. This tag was sponsored by Marty and Mitchell Firestein
On March 11, 2024, a 175-pound blue marlin tag deployed off Costa Rica popped up, 1,843nm from where it was deployed. This tag was sponsored by Patrick Nutt and deployed aboard his boat Kelly Dawn.
On March 19, 2024, a 175-pound blue marlin tag deployed off Bermuda popped up a whopping 4,477nm from where it was deployed. It popped up near St. Helena in Ascension. This is the 3^rd longest IGMR deployment-pop off distance ever. The total estimated distance travelled was 8,786nm.
On March 25, 2024, a 200-pound black marlin tag popped up 1,100nm from where it was deployed off the Great Barrier Reef. This tag was sponsored by Marlin Magazine through IGFA contributions of articles to the magazine. It was deployed during one of their “Marlin Expedition” events.

Stay tuned next month for a full breakdown of recent tag results.

7th International Billfish Symposium

Preparation for the 7^th International Billfish Symposium is kicking into high gear. The event will take place in San Diego, California, US, on October 8-10, 2024, at Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute and will be hosted by IGFA and Wild Oceans. Registration for the Symposium is now open and can be found on the website here: https://bfsymposium.org/.

Abstract submission is also now open for scientists to upload their proposed oral and poster presentations. Abstracts are due by June 7, 2024. Both scientists and the angling community are invited to participate in the Symposium as there will be both scientific presentation sessions as well as technical and panel discussions on tagging, management, and recreational fisheries.

Logistics for the meeting have been planned by Wild Ocean’s President, Rob Kramer, IGFA Development Director, Eric Combast, and IGFA Conservation Director, Dr. Bruce Pohlot, who will also co-chair the symposium with Dr. Gerard DiNardo. The steering committee has been created and consists of numerous top scientists who will assist in the organization of scientific sessions and abstract review as well as participate during the symposium. These include multiple IGFA Scientific Affiliates who have been instrumental in recent efforts. This is a major opportunity for IGFA to continue operating as a top authority on billfish research.

Ocklawaha River Restoration: Recreational Fishing Learning and Discussion Forum

On March 20, 2024, the IGFA hosted a forum at the University of Florida that brought together recreational fishing stakeholders, industry/community representatives, and scientists to learn about and discuss the current science and options for the restoration of the Ocklawaha River in North Central Florida, US.

The goal of the forum was to build a better understanding of the potential impacts and opportunities that restoration could have on recreational fishing, the local ecology, and other river-based outdoor activities from the headwaters of the Ocklawaha downriver into the St John’s River Estuary. Scientific presentations were provided by leading experts from the University of Florida, the U.S. Geologic Survey, and Jacksonville University. Following the scientific presentations, a roundtable discussion was held where the pros and cons of removing the Rodman Dam were discussed relative to the benefits downstream to the St. Johns River as well as the potential impacts to the trophy largemouth bass fishery of the Rodman Reservoir.

The IGFA will continue to remain involved in this discussion and will advocate for the most up-to-date information to allow for the proper decision-making capability in directed restoration efforts.

Advocacy/Policy Work

Since January, the IGFA has provided input into ongoing legislative efforts relevant to recreational anglers. A sampling of the most significant of these efforts can be found on the IGFA website here: https://igfa.org/fisheries-policy/.

Supported amending regulations for the Louisiana menhaden fishery
Endorsed candidate for fishery council seat
Signed on to letter supporting two appropriations requests regarding menhaden research and management
Signed on to letter recommending striped marlin conservation
Supported MAPOceans Act