This application will establish a new grant to the international game fish association in support of the 7TH international billfish symposium

Billfish are apex predators that also have significant importance for recreational and commercial fisheries. Scientists, anglers, and fishery managers established the international billfish symposium as a forum to discuss and advance topics related to billfish science and management. The national marine fisheries service has provided funding for six international billfish symposium events since the inaugural event in 1972. The 7TH international billfish symposium will be held at hubbs-seaworld research institute in SAN diego, california USA on october 8-10, 2024. The theme for the symposium is advancing science and management of billfish in a changing ecosystem. The symposium will help attendees better identify current and future billfish management gaps and science needs, particularly in light of warming oceans and other climate change related impacts. Proceedings from the symposium will also be published in a respected academic journal.