A regional movement to build better science, stronger collaboration, and a sustainable future for billfish and the oceans we all share.
About the Billfish Working Group
Billfish, including marlin, sailfish, and swordfish, are among the most valuable marine species in the Eastern Pacific. They sustain world-class catch-and-release recreational fisheries that generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity, support thousands of jobs, and provide lasting benefits to coastal communities throughout the region.
Despite their ecological and economic importance, billfish have not received the dedicated scientific attention they deserve. But that can change and we have a historic opportunity!
The Panama delegation to the IATTC (learn about the IATTC here) has proposed establishing a Billfish Working Group to bring together scientists, governments, and stakeholders to strengthen the scientific basis for effective billfish conservation and management across the Eastern Pacific.
Your support matters. Help demonstrate to the IATTC that the recreational fishing sector stands behind stronger science and sustainable management to ensure healthy billfish populations and the long-term future of our fisheries and coastal communities.
A Regional Platform for Cooperation
Beyond improving fisheries science, the Billfish Working Group would serve as a regional platform for cooperation on the conservation and sustainable management of highly migratory billfish throughout the Eastern Tropical Pacific. By strengthening scientific collaboration, promoting standardized monitoring, identifying priority research needs, and facilitating knowledge exchange among countries, the Working Group would contribute to protecting ecological connectivity between marine protected areas, improving evidence-based management of shared marine resources, and supporting resilient coastal economies that depend on sustainable fisheries and marine tourism.
The Billfish Working Group Would Help
- Improve the collection and analysis of billfish data.
- Advance stock assessments and scientific research.
- Identify critical knowledge gaps and research priorities.
- Strengthen collaboration among countries and experts.
- Strengthen regional cooperation for conservation of highly migratory species across the Eastern Tropical Pacific
- Support science based management of marine based areas and ecological connectivity corridors
- Promote sustainable blue economy opportunities through responsible recreational fisheries and marine tourism.
- Build long-term scientfific capacity and knowledge sharing among countries
Why It Matters
Healthy billfish populations are essential to:
- Recreational fisheries that support thousands of captains, mates, guides, marina operators, hotels, restaurants, tackle businesses, and tourism services.
- Coastal economies that depend on high-value fishing tourism.
- Healthy marine ecosystems where billfish play the role of apex predators.
- Ensuring future generations can continue to benefit from these iconic species.
Support the Creation of an IATTC Billfish Working Group
A key strength of Panama’s proposal is that it recognizes the importance of public-private collaboration. The initiative envisions mobilizing private-sector support to help advance billfish science and research capacity, ensuring that the Working Group can become a lasting platform for collaboration and innovation. This is an opportunity for the recreational fishing community, businesses, conservation organizations, and industry leaders to invest directly in the future of billfish and the communities that depend on them.
About the IATTC
The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) is the regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) responsible for the conservation and management of tuna and other large pelagic species throughout the Eastern Pacific Ocean, from Canada to Chile. In order to ensure an appropriate conservation of the stocks and their sustainable management, cooperation is essential between all the interested parties.About The Central America Sportfishing Aliance (CASA)
CASA brings together organizations and leaders across Central America for one shared vision: advancing sustainable sportfishing, strengthening the blue economy, and promoting marine conservation through regional collaboration
BETTER SCIENCE
Promoting research and data sharing to understand billfish populations
Global Collaboration
Uniting Countries, experts and organizations across the Pacific
Sustainable Future
Supporting science-based decisions for healthy oceans and coastal communities
Show Your Support for The Billfish Working Group
Join us n supporting the creation of an IATTC Billfish Working Group.
Sign the declaration of support today.
