Tuesday, March 2, 2021—The largest billfish tournaments in North Carolina are proud to present the NC Billfish Series. The eight NC Billfish Series tournaments have teamed up with weigh masters Randy Gregory and George Lott to recognize and award the best tournament boats and anglers in North Carolina. The mission of the NC Billfish Series is to promote North Carolina’s billfish tournaments, sportsmanship, marine conservation and competition in our world-renowned offshore fishery.
Showcase: Viking, Valhalla VIP Boat Show
The Viking and Valhalla VIP Boat Show kicked off with pre-show sea trials on the new V-46 center console. The line-up included the 54 Convertible, the Viking 68 demo, the 46 Billfish and the 80 Sky Bridge.
- Photo courtesy Viking Yachts
- Photo courtesy Viking Yachts
- Photo courtesy Viking Yachts
- Photo courtesy Viking Yachts
- Photo courtesy Viking Yachts
Scientists Are First in the World to Spawn Bonefish in Captivity

The pioneering research in bonefish reproductive science has enabled scientists to successfully induce captive bonefish to spawn in aquaculture tanks. Photo courtesy Tony Cianciotto
Giselle Galoustian, Florida Atlantic University, Oct. 20, 2020—It took scientists in Japan more than 50 years to successfully spawn eels in captivity to help preserve the species. In a race to solve a major challenge for conservation aquaculture, a breakthrough by researchers at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in collaboration with Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) is the first in the world to successfully spawn bonefish in captivity – in just four years. Building upon the lessons learned by their scientific colleagues in Japan, FAU Harbor Branch scientists have figured out the life cycle of bonefish in captivity to help inform management and conservation of this revered fishery for the multi-billion dollar sports fishing industry.
Team El Suertudo Repeats as Winner of the 2020 Los Cabos Billfish Tournament

Photo courtesy Michelle Gaylord/Out Your Front Door Photo
NMEA Names 2020 Product of Excellence Award Winners
The Latest Blue Water Desalination Watermakers to Be On Display at the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show
The Latest Watermakers on Display in the Equipment Tent
October 28th – November 1st | Bahia Mar Yachting Center
Blue Water Desalination will be showcasing their latest products at this year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which is gearing up for the 61st edition that will include enhanced health and safety standards in coordination with local and federal health officials and authorities. Learn more about the latest protocols now through their Know Before You Go resource.
New Product Announcements
All-New Express XT 950
The Blue Water Express XT watermakers feature fully automatic operation and now offer capacities of up to 40 gallons per hour (150 liters per hour) or 950 gallons per day (3,600 liters per day). These units were designed to fit into the tight spaces of small and mid-sized yachts. The one-touch operation makes the EXPRESS XT series ideal for applications where it is difficult to access the watermaker while the vessel is underway.
Upgraded Express Controller
The Express Compact and Express Modular watermaker systems now feature an updated controller with an LCD screen that provides a digital readout of the product water salinity and an hour meter. The Express series offers production capacities ranging from 200 to 800 GPD (760 to 3,030 LPD).
Recent Install
Nice installation of a BWD Express XT fully automatic 800 GPD (3,030 LPD) watermaker by Fabian’s Marine in Puerto Vallarta. This 33 gallon per hour system will give the owner of the Cabo 40 Flybridge plenty of pure freshwater for their offshore adventures.
Catch and Release Only in the Atlantic Recreational Billfish Fishery for the Remainder of 2020
New Regulations to Require SCR Systems on Yachts Larger than a 78 Feet waterline
Garmin Announces New Remote Connectivity Solution OnDeck

Photo courtesy Garmin