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The Billfish Foundation (TBF) celebrates the extraordinary career of President Ellen M. Peel, J.D., LL.M., who has announced her retirement after more than 30 years of leadership in billfish conservation, fisheries advocacy and sportfishing outreach.
Peel joined TBF as executive director in 1996 and helped steer the organization into its emergence as one of the sport’s most influential voices on science, policy and responsible fishing practices. From tournament docks and marina meetings to international fisheries negotiations, Peel consistently worked to connect conservation outcomes with the health of the marine industry, coastal communities and recreational fishing economies.
She raised the profile of the sportfishing community and the resources upon which it depends before governments, policy makers, and all of those who depend on the ocean. Her philosophy has remained straightforward: “Good conservation pays.”
During Peel’s tenure, TBF strengthened its role as a global advocate for billfish and associated highly migratory species while expanding relationships among anglers, captains, scientists, tournament organizers, industry leaders and fisheries managers. The organization’s Tag & Release Program—now the world’s largest private billfish tagging database—includes more than 270,000 records, providing critical information on billfish movement, growth, distribution and stock structure.
Peel also brought the recreational fishing community directly into major international policy conversations. She served for three years as a U.S. representative to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, and in 2012 was appointed by President Barack Obama as a U.S. commissioner to ICCAT. Her work helped ensure that recreational anglers had a respected voice alongside governments, scientists and commercial interests in the management of some of the ocean’s most valuable and vulnerable species.
For many in the sport, Peel’s legacy is also unmistakably personal. Whether addressing a global conservation meeting, visiting with crews after a tournament or appearing in TBF’s signature yellow jacket, she became one of billfishing’s most recognizable and tireless advocates. TBF credits her with advancing conservation, building lasting partnerships and helping preserve billfishing opportunities for future generations.
Peel will be honored at The Billfish Foundation’s 40th Anniversary Gala on October 30, 2026, at the Harbor Beach Marriott in Fort Lauderdale. The evening will also recognize 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award winners Capt. Bubba Carter and Molly Fleming.
