International Game Fish Association

What International Game Fish Association does

The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1939 and headquartered in Dania Beach, Florida, that functions as the global authority on game fish angling. It maintains the official world record database for game fishes, codifies international angling rules, and stewards conservation-focused programs used by recreational saltwater and freshwater fishing communities. The organization serves individual anglers, fishing clubs, captains and guides, weigh stations, and corporate sponsors, and is supported by a network of more than 220 representatives across seven regional councils worldwide.

IGFA operates several core assets: the E.K. Harry Library of Fishes, a comprehensive ichthyological reference; the IGFA World Record Marine Fishes publication; the Great Marlin Race, a satellite-tagging partnership with Stanford University established in 2011; youth angling education programs that had reached approximately 250,000 children as of November 2025; and events such as the 7th International Billfish Symposium co-hosted with Wild Oceans in October 2024. It also administers certification and educational standards for captains, mates, and recreational fishing professionals.

IGFA's revenue is generated through individual and club membership dues, charitable donations, merchandise sales, publication sales, and corporate sponsorships. The organization divested its headquarters in November 2023 to bolster its endowment, indicating active capital-structure management. As a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN 23-7231048), IGFA does not pursue equity-style scaling; growth is instead measured in programmatic reach, membership base, and conservation impact.

Name

International Game Fish Association

Legal name

International Game Fish Association

Website

https://igfa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1939 that maintains the global game fish world record database, codifies international angling rules, and serves recreational anglers, clubs, captains, and corporate sponsors worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Recreational Sportfishing Conservation & Records

NAICS

Fishing (1141)

SIC

Fishing, Hunting And Trapping (900)

akta.pro primary industry

Fishing & Angling Charters / Guides (THAAALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

General Fishing Tackle & Bait Retail (CRAMALAA), Fishing Charters & Angling Experiences (Deep Sea, Sportfishing, Fly Fishing) (THAJAJAC)

Keywords

• Sportfishing conservation
• World record game fish
• International angling rules
• Angler recognition programs
• Youth fishing education

Headquarters

HQ city

Dania

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual memberships providing access to world record database, angler recognition programs, and member discounts on IGFA merchandise and publications.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations to support conservation efforts, youth education programs, and the Worldwide Anglers Relief Fund.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of IGFA branded merchandise through shopigfa.com and the merchandise section of the website.
4. Publications: Sale of IGFA publications including the annual World Record Marine Fishes book and other educational materials.
5. Corporate Giving and Sponsorships: Corporate partnerships and giving programs managed by the Development Director for corporate sponsors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IGFA is a nonprofit conservation organization that maintains the global World Records Database and publishes the annual World Record Game Fishes Book, establishes standardized International Angling Rules, runs the Great Marlin Race satellite-tagging conservation program and Youth Fishing Education, and offers annual memberships, merchandise, and recognition programs (Slams, Trophy Fish Clubs, Fishing Hall of Fame). It serves recreational anglers, fishing clubs, weigh stations, captains and guides, and corporate sponsors worldwide.

Product overview

The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) is a nonprofit conservation organization that offers a portfolio of programs and services centered around recreational fishing and aquatic habitat conservation. The core offerings include the World Records Database—a searchable repository of thousands of angling records—and the annual IGFA World Record Game Fishes Book, which serves as the authoritative publication for game fish records globally. Supporting programs include the IGFA Great Marlin Race (satellite-based billfish research), Youth Fishing Program (having taught over 250,000 children), International Angling Rules (standardized competitive fishing regulations), and the Game Fish Species Database. The organization also runs tournaments (Permit Invitational, Hall of Fame), sells official merchandise through shopigfa.com, and publishes annual Program Reports and Financial Reports documenting organizational activities and finances. These offerings collectively serve the angling community through education, conservation, recognition, and record-keeping.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• World Records Database Comprehensive searchable database containing thousands of record game fish from across the globe across multiple angling categories, accessible to IGFA members.
• IGFA World Record Game Fishes Book Annual publication documenting world record game fish, serving as the authoritative reference for angling records globally.
• IGFA Great Marlin Race Conservation research program using satellite tagging technology to study marlin movements and contribute to billfish conservation efforts.
• International Angling Rules Standardized rules for pursuing world records in sport fishing, establishing ethical guidelines and regulations for angling competitions.
• Game Fish Species Database Online resource providing detailed information about various game fish species for anglers and researchers.
• Youth Fishing Program Education initiative that has taught over 250,000 children to fish, promoting proper angling techniques and conservation awareness among youth.
• Shop IGFA Merchandise Official IGFA-branded apparel, collectibles, and merchandise sold through the Shop IGFA e-commerce storefront.
• IGFA Tournaments Organized fishing competitions including the IGFA Permit Invitational and other sanctioned events for competitive anglers.
• Angler Recognition Programs Recognition initiatives including IGFA Slams and Trophy Fish Clubs celebrating exceptional achievements by anglers worldwide.
• IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Annual induction ceremony recognizing extraordinary achievements in recreational fishing and contributions to the sport.
• E.K. Harry Library of Fishes Research library preserving historical records, game fish literature, and angling archives at IGFA headquarters in Dania Beach, Florida.
• IGFA Annual Membership Annual membership providing access to the World Records Database, member discounts, Angler Recognition programs, and participation in IGFA activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 250,000 children taught to fish globally as of November 2025

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Wild OceansminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2024IGFA and Wild Oceans co-hosted the 7th International Billfish Symposium in October 2024, bringing together scientists, conservationists, and anglers to discuss billfish research and conservation.
• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015IGFA participated in the FAO Caribbean Billfish Project from 2015-2018, contributing expertise in billfish conservation and recreational fishing to support sustainable fisheries management in the Caribbean region.
• Stanford UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 January 2011IGFA partnered with Stanford University to form the IGFA Great Marlin Race, a conservation initiative that uses satellite tags to track marlin movements and gather scientific data for billfish research and conservation efforts.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.): B.A.S.S. is the largest organized bass fishing tournament organization in the world, governing competitive angling rules, records, and championships. Like IGFA, it sets angling standards, sanctions tournaments, and publishes authoritative fishing content, though focused on freshwater bass versus IGFA's broader game fish scope.
• The Billfish Foundation: The Billfish Foundation is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to billfish conservation through research and policy advocacy. It directly overlaps with IGFA's billfish work (Great Marlin Race, 2012 Billfish Conservation Act) and shares the same nonprofit angling conservation mandate.
• Bonefish & Tarpon Trust: Bonefish & Tarpon Trust is a science-based nonprofit focused on bonefish, tarpon, and permit conservation. Like IGFA, it operates at the intersection of recreational angling, conservation science, and angler education, with overlapping membership of flats anglers.
• Trout Unlimited: Trout Unlimited is a leading coldwater conservation nonprofit with grassroots volunteer chapters across the U.S. It mirrors IGFA's nonprofit model of combining conservation advocacy, education, and a volunteer-driven community around a specific game fish category.
• Coastal Conservation Association (CCA): CCA is a marine conservation nonprofit advocating for recreational fishing access and habitat. It is comparable to IGFA as a nonprofit that unites recreational anglers around conservation advocacy, policy engagement, and state-level chapter networks.
• Recreational Fishing Alliance: The Recreational Fishing Alliance advocates for saltwater recreational fishing interests in policy and management forums. It is a nonprofit advocacy peer to IGFA's angler-recognition and conservation mission, with significant overlap on billfish and game fish policy.
• Wild Oceans: Wild Oceans is a nonprofit dedicated to conserving and restoring wild ocean ecosystems, with whom IGFA co-hosted the 2024 International Billfish Symposium. It is a direct peer in the billfish conservation and recreational fishing advocacy space.
• Fishing League Worldwide (FLW): FLW operates major competitive fishing tournaments and bass fishing leagues. Comparable to IGFA as a tournament sanctioning body, though for-profit and tournament-focused versus IGFA's nonprofit standards and records authority.

Broad incumbents

• American Sportfishing Association (ASA): ASA is the sportfishing industry's national trade association representing tackle manufacturers, retailers, and anglers. It is a broader, industry-facing incumbent comparable to IGFA in serving recreational fishing but with a wider commercial remit and policy focus.

Emerging players

• Keep Fish Wet: Keep Fish Wet is a nonprofit initiative promoting science-based catch-and-release practices in recreational fishing. It is an emerging peer focused on a specific ethical angling practice that sits squarely within IGFA's angler education and conservation mandate.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/theigfa
• Facebookfacebook.com/188785353111
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-game-fish-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Game Fish Association