What The Billfish Foundation does

The Billfish Foundation (TBF) is a Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based nonprofit founded in 1986 that operates as the only non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to global billfish conservation and advocacy for the recreational sportfishing community. Its mission centers on conserving billfish populations, protecting the health of the oceans and associated economies, and defending the rights of anglers. TBF runs four pillars of activity: research (the Tag & Release Program, an open-source billfish database with over 280,000 records dating to 1990, and satellite tagging research), advocacy (representation on bodies including the Pacific Fishery Management Council's HMS Advisory Committee), education (outreach programs, the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Student Ocean Program internship, and the Russell S. Nelson PhD Graduate Science Scholarship), and events (annual galas, the Tag & Release Award Ceremony, and tournament partnerships).

The cornerstone asset is the Tag & Release Program, which has engaged 155,505 users across 70+ countries and produced 250,381 tags, 50,923 releases, and 3,864 recaptures. Underlying technology includes the open-source database, satellite tag hardware (with one 12-month recovery showing over 27,000 miles of billfish travel), and the new VESL integrated reporting system that simplifies data submission for partner organizations. TBF also publishes Billfish Magazine and scientific manuscripts and sells tagging equipment ($24-$90) and branded merchandise through shop.billfish.org.

TBF is funded through a diversified nonprofit revenue model: recurring membership fees, tax-deductible donations, event revenue (gala tickets $350-$400, VIP tables $4,000; tournament entries $600-$900), merchandise sales, and long-tenured corporate sponsorships. Named corporate sponsors include Costa Sunglasses (since 2010), Bacardi (since 2009), Garmin Marine (since 2014), Yeti Coolers (since 2015), Viking Yachts (since 2015), Galati Yacht Sales (since 2018), HMY Yachts (since 2016), and Okuma Fishing (2024). The organization operates with six core staff members plus scientific consultants, directs 86% of resources to programs, and is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Smyth McKissick, with Ellen M. Peel serving as President.

Name

The Billfish Foundation

Legal name

The Billfish Foundation

Website

https://billfish.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Billfish Foundation is a Fort Lauderdale-based nonprofit founded in 1986 that operates the world's largest private open-source billfish database and Tag & Release Program, serving 155,505 anglers across 70+ countries to advance billfish conservation, support recreational fishing, and shape fisheries policy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

akta.pro primary industry

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

Keywords

• Billfish conservation
• Marine conservation research
• Sportfishing advocacy
• Tag and release program
• Fisheries management

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Lauderdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership program providing exclusive benefits and supporting TBF's conservation mission.
2. Donations: Tax-deductible donations directly supporting billfish conservation, research, and advocacy programs.
3. Event Revenue: Revenue from annual fundraising galas (e.g., 40th Anniversary Gala tickets at $350-$400/person, VIP Tables at $4,000), tournament registrations (e.g., Big Dog Swordfish Tournament $600-$900 entry fees), and ceremonies.
4. Merchandise Sales: E-commerce sales of TBF exclusive merchandise including apparel, accessories, and billfish tagging equipment. Products range from $24 (tags) to $90 (tagging kits).
5. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship partnerships with marine and fishing industry brands. TBF has dozens of long-term sponsors including Costa Sunglasses (since 2010), Bacardi (since 2009), Garmin Marine (since 2014), and Yeti Coolers (since 2015).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Billfish Foundation (TBF) is a nonprofit conservation organization that operates the world's largest privately owned open-source billfish database (over 280,000 records dating to 1990) via its global Tag & Release Program. It advances billfish conservation worldwide through research, regulatory advocacy, education and outreach, while funding this mission with memberships, donations, corporate sponsorships, ticketed galas and tournaments, and sales of branded merchandise and billfish tagging equipment.

Product overview

The Billfish Foundation (TBF) is a conservation nonprofit organization, not a technology company. It operates a unified portfolio of conservation programs centered on the Tag & Release Program and the world's largest privately owned billfish database (280,000+ records). The core offerings include satellite tagging research, annual competitions, educational outreach, three magazine publications, scientific publications, and a scholarship program. TBF also operates a merchandise shop selling tagging equipment and branded apparel. The organization hosts annual events including the Tag & Release Award Ceremony and Gala fundraiser. No SaaS platform, API, or AI-enabled products are offered.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Winthrop P. Rockefeller Student Ocean Program: Internship program named after the late Winthrop P. Rockefeller that awards students who support billfish conservation and responsible fisheries management.
• Russell S. Nelson, PhD Graduate Science Scholarship

Products and services

• Billfish Tagging Equipment Physical billfish tagging equipment sold to recreational anglers and captains for participation in the Tag & Release Program. Includes Billfish Tagging Kits ($90.00) and Billfish Foundation Tags ($24.00). Distributed via the TBF shop at shop.billfish.org and tagbillfish.myshopify.com.
• TBF Shop Merchandise Exclusive TBF-branded apparel, accessories, and lifestyle merchandise sold direct-to-consumer through shop.billfish.org. Includes Yeti Slim Can Cooler ($25), TBF Signature Rope Hat ($35), TBF Yeti Hotshot Bottle ($30), and Anetik apparel items ($55).
• Annual Membership Program Annual recurring membership tier program providing exclusive benefits to members while funding TBF's conservation mission. Sold direct-to-consumer via billfish.org/become-a-member; supports billfish conservation, research, and advocacy.
• 40th Anniversary Annual Gala Ticketed annual fundraising gala event with multiple ticket tiers: Early Bird Individual ($350), Day Of Individual ($400), and VIP Table for up to 10 guests ($4,000). Includes auctions, live entertainment, and conservation recognition. Held annually during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
• Tag & Release Program Core free citizen-science service in which recreational anglers and captains worldwide voluntarily tag and release billfish and submit catch data through the tagbillfish.org reporting portal. Feeds TBF's 280,000+ record billfish database and is the cornerstone of TBF's conservation science work.
• International Tag & Release Competition Annual competition quantifying angler-reported tag-and-release activities. Anglers register and submit catch data via the standings portal at billfish.org/standings; results feed billfish conservation research.
• Satellite Tagging Program Advanced research initiative using satellite (SAT) tags to track billfish movement and migration. TBF recovered its first 12-month SAT tag in 2024-2025, which logged over 27,000 miles of billfish travel, providing real-time data for billfish conservation science.
• Education & Outreach Program Educational initiatives including school programs, festivals, camps, and community events that teach billfish conservation ethics to anglers of all generations. Includes species identification resources at billfish.org/e-news/species-id and outreach materials for partner tournaments and conferences.
• Billfish Database (Open-Source Data Access) World's largest privately owned, open-sourced billfish database with over 280,000 records spanning all billfish species. Researchers, scientists, conservationists, and students request access by submitting data request forms specifying species, time frame, ocean, and project details.
• Big Dog Swordfish Tournament Entry Participatory sportfishing tournament with tiered entry fees: Super Early Entry $600, Mid Entry $750 (after July 15, 2026), and Late Entry $900 (after August 31, 2026), plus Calcutta side-bet categories including High Roller ($500), Heaviest Fish Overall ($300), Heaviest 2-Fish Aggregate ($300), and Heaviest Dolphin ($200). Partners with TBF for conservation-aligned competition.

Quantifiable outcome

• 280,000+ tag and release records collected since 1990, making it the world's largest private billfish database
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• ElectroSeaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Monetary sponsor since 2025 for TBF ceremonies. Located at 2950 Xenium Lane North Suite 135 Plymouth, MN 55441 USA.
• Tri Sea StabilizersminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Sponsor since 2025 for gala events.
• Okuma FishingmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Sponsoring 40th Anniversary Happy Hour at ICAST 2026. Major fishing equipment manufacturer.
• Fisheries Conservation TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Sponsor since 2023. Organization dedicated to fisheries conservation with aligned mission to TBF.
• Roffs Marine ForecastingminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Sponsor since 2022 for ceremonies. Provides marine forecasting services supporting TBF's conservation work.
• SeikominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Sponsor since 2022 for gala events.
• The MidAtlanticminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Sponsor since 2021, supporting TBF's billfish conservation mission.
• Willis Custom YachtsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Sponsor since 2021 for galas. Located at 6800 SW Jack James Dr, Stuart, FL 34997.
• Ocean5 Naval Architects & Yacht SalesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Sponsor since 2021. Located at 4575 SE Dixie Highway Stuart, Florida 34997-6826.
• DEKit Marine ProductsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Sponsor since 2020 for TBF ceremonies and events.
• Mongo Offshore ChallengemajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Tournament organization partnered with TBF. Largest big game tournament in the Gulf of Mexico with teams from Gulf Coast states, East Coast, and Hawaii.
• Galati Yacht SalesmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Sponsor since 2018 for gala events. Located at 900 S Bay Blvd, Anna Maria, Florida 34216, United States.
• Floy TagmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2017Tag sponsor since 2017, providing tagging equipment for TBF's Tag & Release Program. Located at 4616 Union Bay Place NE, Seattle, WA 98105.
• HMY YachtsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2016Sponsor since 2016 for gala events and conservation programs.
• Yeti CoolerscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2015Sponsor since 2015, providing product donations for TBF events, ceremonies, and auction items supporting billfish conservation.
• Rock The OceanmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Sponsor since 2015, supporting TBF's conservation efforts and ocean advocacy initiatives. Located at 1212 8th Ave South Suite 102 Nashville, TN 37203.
• Viking Yacht CompanymajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2015Sponsor since 2015 for gala events. Major yacht manufacturer supporting recreational fishing community. Located at PO Box 308 New Gretna, NJ 08224.
• Grady-White BoatsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2015Sponsor since 2015 for gala events. Quality boat manufacturer supporting sportfishing community.
• Cap CanaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2015Sponsor since 2015 for gala events. Dominican Republic resort and marina.
• Garmin MarinecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2014Sponsor since 2014, supporting TBF's conservation mission through the Tag & Release Program and event sponsorships.
• Marina Casa de CampominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2014Sponsor since 2014. Located at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, La Romana - Higüey Hwy, La Romana, 22000, Dominican Republic.
• Casa Vieja LodgemajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2013Sponsor since 2013, offering fishing trip donations for TBF gala auctions and supporting the Tag & Release Program.
• Marina Casa de CampominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2013Sponsor for TBF ceremonies and events. Located in Dominican Republic.
• C & L Marine InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2013Sponsor since 2013 for gala events. Marine insurance provider supporting TBF mission.
• Costa SunglassescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2010Long-standing conservation partner and program sponsor since 2010. Costa supports TBF's Tag & Release Program and provides sunglasses to award winners. Partnership includes marketing visibility at TBF events and programs.
• King Sailfish MountsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2010Sponsor since 2010, providing trophy mounts for Tag & Release award winners. Located at 5881 N.E. 14th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334.
• BacardicoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2009Sponsor since 2009, providing beverages for TBF galas and events. Long-term partner supporting billfish conservation through corporate sponsorship.
• Guy Harvey FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-kind sponsor supporting TBF conservation and education efforts. Marine conservation organization with shared mission.
• Pelagic GearmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerIn-kind sponsor for Tag & Release Program awards and ceremonies.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Trout Unlimited: Trout Unlimited is a large conservation nonprofit with a similar model of angler-funded habitat protection and scientific advocacy, though focused on freshwater trout and salmon rather than billfish. Its fundraising model (membership, chapters, corporate sponsors) closely mirrors TBF's.
• Oceana: Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization focused exclusively on ocean conservation. It is a broad incumbent in marine conservation with overlapping regulatory advocacy goals, though it operates at significantly larger scale and broader species/scope than TBF's billfish focus.
• Ocean Conservancy: Ocean Conservancy is a major marine conservation nonprofit working on issues including sustainable fisheries, ocean acidification, and marine debris. It represents a broader-incumbent peer to TBF with overlapping interests in sustainable fisheries policy.
• National Marine Sanctuary Foundation: The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation supports NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary System through conservation, education, and community engagement. It is a broad marine conservation peer with overlapping interests in ocean health advocacy.

Direct peers

• International Game Fish Association: The IGFA is the closest direct peer to TBF as a global nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of game fish species and the promotion of responsible, ethical angling. Both organizations maintain world-record databases, run conservation advocacy programs, and engage recreational anglers worldwide, with overlapping sponsor and constituent bases in marine sportfishing.
• Wild Fish Conservancy: Wild Fish Conservancy is a regional peer that conducts scientific research and advocacy to protect wild fish populations and their habitats in the Pacific Northwest. Both organizations are angler-supported conservation nonprofits that rely on citizen science data and advocate for science-based fisheries policy.
• Coastal Conservation Association: CCA is a major marine conservation nonprofit focused on preserving marine resources, particularly for recreational anglers. It is a direct peer with similar advocacy for sustainable fisheries and recreational fishing rights, though it operates at significantly larger scale and broader geographic scope.
• Guy Harvey Foundation: The Guy Harvey Foundation is a strategic partner and peer nonprofit focused on marine conservation, education, and ocean science. Both organizations share billfish conservation interests, recreational fishing advocacy, and operate programs in marine science education and research.
• Bonefish & Tarpon Trust: BTT is a direct peer nonprofit focused on conservation of bonefish, tarpon, and permit species through research, stewardship, and advocacy. Like TBF, it engages recreational anglers, conducts tagging research, and operates in coastal Florida with a similar fundraising model of galas and member support.

Others

• Pew Charitable Trusts - Ocean Conservation: Pew's Ocean Conservation program advocates for science-based fisheries management and marine protected areas. It is an adjacent institutional funder/policy actor in the same marine conservation ecosystem as TBF, occasionally funding similar research and regulatory advocacy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/TagBillfish
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/FishTBF
• Facebookfacebook.com/BillfishFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/thebillfishfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Billfish Foundation