Gray Fishtag Research
Gray FishTag Research is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the world's largest cooperative multi-species fish tagging program. It provides free tagging supplies and training to charter captains globally and shares catch data at no cost with scientists.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersPompano Beach, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Gray Fishtag Research does
Gray FishTag Research is a Pompano Beach, Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014 that operates what it describes as the world's largest cooperative multi-species fish tagging and research program. The organization recruits charter sportfishing captains, mates, and industry sponsors to tag and release fish across billfish, sharks, and general offshore/inshore species in every ocean, then shares the resulting catch data at no cost to scientists, biologists, and the public. It serves three primary constituencies: charter captains who collect tagging data in the field, sport anglers who participate during fishing trips, and researchers who consume the resulting dataset, with marina- and club-style Official Research Centers acting as a secondary distribution layer.
The program's technology footprint centers on a web-based Live Tag Feed database where tagged fish entries are submitted via online forms or physical Tag & Research Cards and made publicly searchable through a Tag ID lookup. Proprietary or specialized components include satellite tagging studies for tracking fish migration across ocean systems, free physical Tag Kits (tags and applicators) distributed to participating captains worldwide, and per-charter/per-species archive pages (e.g., over 1,282 pages of total entries and 681+ pages of striped bass entries). The organization operates a content surface across its website, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, and publishes annual reports summarizing tagging activity.
Revenue is generated entirely through donations, corporate sponsorship (including AFTCO, Berkley, PENN, SIMRAD, VAN STAAL, SEAGUAR, and The Fisherman Magazine), and GFR-branded apparel merchandise sales. All tagging supplies, training, support, and data access are provided at no cost to participants, making the program's economics dependent on continued sponsor and donor contributions rather than paid product surface.
Gray Fishtag Research firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Gray Fishtag Research
- Legal name
- Gray FishTag Research, Inc.
- Website
- https://grayfishtagresearch.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Gray FishTag Research is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the world's largest cooperative multi-species fish tagging program. It provides free tagging supplies and training to charter captains globally and shares catch data at no cost with scientists.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Gray Fishtag Research industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Conservation Research Services
- NAICS
- Fishing (1141)
- SIC
- Fishing, Hunting And Trapping (900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Aquatic Ecology & Fisheries Assessments (EUAHAHAB)
Keywords
Where Gray Fishtag Research is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pompano Beach
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Gray Fishtag Research business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: The not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization relies on donations from individuals and organizations. Donors receive a custom Carey Chen Research Support Decal. All data collected is shared at no cost to interested parties.
- Sponsorship Revenue: Corporate sponsors provide financial and in-kind support in exchange for association with the program. Sponsors include AFTCO, AFW, Berkley, PENN, SIMRAD, VAN STAAL, and numerous others in the sportfishing industry.
- Merchandise Sales (Apparel): The organization sells GFR branded apparel through its website to generate revenue supporting program operations.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Gray Fishtag Research product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Gray FishTag Research operates an international multi-species fish tagging and tracking program that collects real-time data on fish migration patterns, growth rates, and habitat utilization. Charter sportfishing captains and anglers use free tagging supplies and data cards to tag and release fish, with submissions feeding a public Live Tag Feed database. All collected data, including satellite tagging study results, is shared at no cost to scientists and the public.
Product overview
Gray FishTag Research operates as a single, unified not-for-profit program rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Its core offering is the multi-species fish tagging and tracking program, which functions through a web-based Live Tag Feed database where catch data is submitted via forms on the website or through Tag & Research Cards. The program distributes free tagging supplies (Tag Kits) to participating charter captains who serve as research partners. Supporting offerings include branded GFR Apparel merchandise, official Research Center partnerships for charter businesses, and publicly accessible Annual Reports summarizing research findings. All data collected is shared at no cost to scientists and the public.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Multi-Species Fish Tagging Program
- Tag Kits
- GFR Branded Apparel
Companies that use Gray Fishtag Research
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Gray Fishtag Research technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Gray Fishtag Research partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- The Fisherman MagazineflagshipMajor sportfishing publication serving as a primary research center partner, promoting the tagging program to its readership and coordinating activities with charter captains.
- Gray FishmountscoreRelated company under the Gray FishTag umbrella offering fish taxidermy services, with shared branding and mission alignment.
- Fisheries Conservation TrustminorConservation organization widget logo visible on sponsor page indicating collaborative relationship.
- IGFTO (International Game Fish Tournament Organization)minorInternational game fish tournament organization with mutual promotional relationship.
- Pisces SportfishingflagshipMexico-based charter fleet operating as an Official Research Center, providing extensive tagging activities in the Pacific and Sea of Cortez.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves2 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Gray Fishtag Research competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Trout Unlimited: Largest coldwater fisheries conservation nonprofit in the U.S., combining volunteer-driven citizen science, habitat restoration, and policy work. Comparable in mission and reliance on grassroots angler participation.
- The Billfish Foundation: Nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of billfish (marlin, sailfish, swordfish, tuna) through scientific research, tagging programs, and policy advocacy. Highly comparable in mission, multi-species sportfish tagging focus, and nonprofit funding model.
- Bonefish & Tarpon Trust: Science-based nonprofit focused on research and conservation of bonefish, tarpon, and permit fisheries. Comparable in operating as a sportfish research nonprofit that partners with guides and anglers to collect scientific data.
- Coastal Conservation Association: Marine-focused conservation nonprofit advocating for healthy fisheries habitat and sustainable recreational fishing. Comparable in being a sportfish-angler-driven conservation nonprofit.
- Recreational Fishing Alliance: Advocacy organization representing recreational anglers and the sportfishing industry on policy and fisheries management. Comparable in engaging the sportfishing community around conservation and data-driven advocacy.
- International Game Fishing Association: Global organization governing recreational sportfishing records, ethics, and conservation. Comparable as a sportfishing-focused organization with research, conservation, and member engagement functions.
- Fisheries Conservation Trust: Conservation organization already collaborating with Gray FishTag Research and visible on its sponsor page. Comparable as a fellow sportfish-focused conservation nonprofit partner.
Others
- American Sportfishing Association: Sportfishing industry trade association representing manufacturers, retailers, and anglers. Comparable as a sportfishing ecosystem organization that overlaps with Gray FishTag's sponsor and advocate network.
Broad incumbents
- NOAA Fisheries: U.S. federal agency responsible for fisheries science, management, and conservation. Comparable as a major funder and consumer of fish tagging, migration, and stock assessment data, but operating as a much larger government institution.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Gray Fishtag Research social profiles
Digital presenceGray Fishtag Research financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Gray Fishtag Research leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Gray Fishtag Research funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Gray Fishtag Research M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Gray Fishtag Research
What does Gray Fishtag Research do?
Gray FishTag Research operates an international multi-species fish tagging and tracking program that collects real-time data on fish migration patterns, growth rates, and habitat utilization. Charter sportfishing captains and anglers use free tagging supplies and data cards to tag and release fish, with submissions feeding a public Live Tag Feed database. All collected data, including satellite tagging study results, is shared at no cost to scientists and the public.
Is Gray Fishtag Research a public or private company?
Gray Fishtag Research is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Gray Fishtag Research founded?
Gray Fishtag Research was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Gray Fishtag Research based?
Gray Fishtag Research is headquartered in Pompano Beach, United States, in the North America region.
How does Gray Fishtag Research make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are sponsorship Revenue and merchandise Sales (Apparel).
Who are Gray Fishtag Research's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Trout Unlimited, The Billfish Foundation, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Coastal Conservation Association, Recreational Fishing Alliance, International Game Fishing Association and Fisheries Conservation Trust. American Sportfishing Association is listed as an others. NOAA Fisheries is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Gray Fishtag Research have an API?
No public API is recorded for Gray Fishtag Research.
What industry is Gray Fishtag Research in?
Gray Fishtag Research's product category is Marine Conservation Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAHAHAB, Aquatic Ecology & Fisheries Assessments. Its NAICS code is 1141 and its SIC code is 900.