The Billfish Foundation's President, Ellen Peel, recently returned from Morocco where she attended the 2012 International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) Meeting where she sits as US Commissioner for Recreational Fisheries. Going toe-to-toe with other countries that do not recognize the importance of recreational fishing, Peel and the rest of the US commissioners negotiated vigorously to ensure that conservation efforts for billfish built over the last decade would not expire. In return, the conservation recommendations for billfish were actually increased by adopting scientific advice and reducing annual catch levels by 50% and 31% for blue and white marlin, respectively. While challenged by other countries, the US annual angling quota of 250 marlin remains the same. To stay up to date on TBF's Advocacy work, visit www.billfish.org/advocacy.

Shake it up! It's not too late to turn in some points and get your name on the leader board and a potential trophy at the next Annual Awards Banquet!   Click here for Club Awards Program information and verification forms.

Texas Division - Will Lett's Mojo is still the Top Boat with 8,200 points and Marty Griffith's Over-ride is in second place with 5,600 points. Tony Annan leads the Top Male Angler category with 1,600 points and Ron McDowell is in a close second place with 1,200 points. Anna Griffith still holds first place in the Top Female Angler category with an incredible 4,300 points!

International Division -  In the International Division, J.W and Pat Bones' Mojo is still in first place with 35,300 points. Buddy Schultz' Gotcha is in second place with 29,900 points. Bob Henderson is still leading the Top Male Angler category with 11,900 points, with Rob Cromie in second place with 7,500 points and Buddy Schultz in third place with 6,300 points. Pat Bones is still leading the Top Female Angler category with an incredible 14,600 points!