On Friday, February 15 at Miami’s Jungle Island Treetop Ballroom, WildLifers Next Destination TV host Stephanie Braman was recognized as Top Tagging Angler for Blue Marlin in the Pacific Ocean at the 2018 International Tag & Release Awards Ceremony hosted by The Billfish Foundation.

Braman said, “It’s always fun to win an award. Putting your whole heart, mind, and soul into a goal and then being recognized for it feels so special.”

Alongside Braman, several crew members of the Parranda were recognized for awards, as well. Captain Andrew Flood was named Top Pacific Blue Marlin Tagging Captain, and Johan Pete was named Top Pacific Blue Marlin Tagging Mate.

“Having Captain Andy and Johan standing alongside me and being recognized for their awards made the night even more special! We work as a team out on the water, so it felt right to be recognized as a team at the ceremony,” Braman said.

Each year, The Billfish Foundation recognizes the best of the best in the billfishing community to acknowledge the significant effort they contribute to the Tag & Release Program and billfish conservation. Since its inception in 1990, the program has grown to accrue nearly 240,000 tag and release records to become the largest private billfish tagging database in the world.


Picture 1: WildLifers Next Destination TV host Stephanie Braman was named Top Tagging Angler for Blue Marlin in the Pacific Ocean at the 2018 International Tag & Release Awards Ceremony hosted by the Billfish Foundation.

 

Picture 2: During the 2018 International Tag & Release Ceremony hosted by the Billfish Foundation, several crew members of the Parranda were recognized for awards. (Pictured Left to Right) Johan Pete, Top Pacific Blue Marlin Tagging Mate; Captain Andrew Flood, Top Pacific Blue Marlin Tagging Captain; and Stephanie Braman, Top Tagging Angler for Blue Marlin in the Pacific Ocean.