TBF’s Tag & Release Program has the largest private billfish tagging database in the world and remains a cornerstone of TBF’s work, providing scientists with vital information gathered by thousands of volunteer fishing teams. The traditional tagging data reveals details such as migration patterns, age and growth rates, diving depths and sex ratios, all adding to a knowledge base that advances billfish science and, in turn, billfish management policies.

Participate in TBF's Tag & Release Program

It is only through the participation of anglers, captains and mates that TBF is able to gather this vital tag & release data. Every fish that is tagged, released and recaptured provides us with one more piece in the puzzle of the mysterious lives of billfish. Additionally, documenting tagged and/or released billfish also illustrates the socio-economic importance of recreational fishing to our policy makers. Your participation makes a valuable contribution towards realizing a brighter future for billfish, our oceans and related economies!

• Order Tagging Supplies: To order tagging supplies, please call 800-GET-TAGS or visit our online store.
• Tag & Release Competition: Current TBF members are automatically included in TBF's Annual Tag & Release Competition. Please click here to learn more about the competition.
• Club Competition: TBF's Regional Fishing Club Awards Program is designed to applaud and acknowledge TBF members in clubs who support tag and release as a means to help improve the conservation and management of billfish. Please click here to learn more.
• Tagging DVDs: Click here to view TBF's informative Tagging DVD in English. Click here for Spanish and French.

Did you know?: It is no longer necessary to kill any billfish to obtain fish mounts. To learn more, please visit King Sailfish Mounts' website, a longstanding sponsor of TBF's Tag & Release Program.