The Billfish Foundation

The 30th annual Orange Beach Bilfish Classic took place with boats from across the Gulf competing for nearly $1.6 million in tournament prizes, reinforcing the event’s reputation as one of the premier offshore tournaments in the Gulf of Mexico. Serving as the unofficial kickoff to the Gulf’s billfish season, this year’s tournament drew 62 boats, the largest fleet in the tournament’s history.

For four decades, the Ladies Fish-Off has proven that fishing tournaments can be about much more than competition on the water. Founded by a group of passionate women anglers and built on a foundation of community, philanthropy, and a shared passion for fishing, the South Florida tournament has become one of the region’s most beloved angling traditions and one of its most impactful charitable events.

After more than 30 years of dedicated leadership, Ellen Peel is retiring as President of The Billfish Foundation. Throughout her remarkable tenure, Ellen helped advance billfish conservation, built lasting relationships across the recreational fishing and conservation communities, engaged with national and international dignitaries, and championed efforts to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the thrill of billfishing.

The Billfish Foundation is excited to return to the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, taking place July 14–17, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. ICAST brings together thousands of industry professionals from around the globe to showcase the latest innovations in tackle, apparel, marine accessories, conservation initiatives, and more.

The John Rybovich Lifetime Achievement Award honors a former TBF board member who distinguished himself as a member of the marine industry, not only being of a family that built top quality boats, but as a billfish conservation pioneer. Rybovich founded the Sailfish Conservation Club, the Masters Angling Tournament, the Tournament of Champions, and the Gold Cup, all to raise funds for conservation.

The Billfish Foundation (TBF) was proud to once again be part of Rock the Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival Conservation Village, an inspiring space where music and marine conservation come together on the shores of South Florida. Each year, this event brings together passionate organizations, partners, and ocean advocates, and we at TBF are incredibly grateful to be included among them. For those who have never had the opportunity to attend (we highly recommend!), the energy is contagious.

Sport fishermen—especially pelagic warriors who favor billfish, tuna and wahoo—have a distinct preference in things artistic. It tends to center on their favorite creatures of the deep and the boats they use to pursue them. If fortunate, a select few can use their artistic ability to share that passion, depicting scenes that catch the eye and garner the patronage of the men and women who fish those offshore waters.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of a truly special night—secure your tickets soon for The Billfish Foundation’s 40th Anniversary Gala. Join us as we celebrate four decades of leadership in billfish conservation, science, and the sportfishing community, all in one unforgettable evening. Taking place on October 30, 2026, at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort, this milestone event will honor the past, celebrate the present, and look ahead to the future of conservation—tickets won’t last long.

Since 2002, the Adopt-A-Billfish program has played a critical role in advancing the science and conservation of billfishes and other large pelagic species. Through this program, TBF has contributed to deployments of nearly 300 pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) across the Atlantic and eastern Pacific Oceans. These investments have directly enabled some of the most influential research on billfish movement, habitat use, and fishery interactions conducted to date.

As The Billfish Foundation celebrates 40 years of billfish conservation, we’re taking a moment to recognize the people who made it all possible. From unforgettable releases and tournament victories to quiet moments offshore, the past four decades are filled with stories that define our community. Now, we’re inviting you to be part of that legacy.