SoFL Sailfish Initiative

Overview

Launched in 2024, The Billfish Foundation’s Southern Florida Sailfish Initiative is a collaborative satellite tagging program focused on Atlantic sailfish, Florida’s iconic state fish. In collaboration with the University of Southern Mississippi, Bluewater Movements, and tournament partners, five satellite tags were successfully deployed — marking a major milestone for regional sailfish research.

In 2026, as part of TBF’s Groundswell Projects, TBF and Bluewater Movements expanded on this initiative, bringing together past champions and additional sportfishing teams to increase tagging efforts and scientific output in support of TBF’s 40th Anniversary and our 40 for 40 Campaign. Collectively, Old. No. 7, Native Son, Princess Lily, Sandman, and a crew aboard the Valhalla 55’ demo boat deployed five additional satellite tags to contribute to this product.

In partnership with Bluewater Movements and its tournament, Sailfish Challenge, the winner earns the opportunity to deploy a satellite tag alongside TBF, transforming competitive success into long-term, conservation impact.

Additionally, the Southern Florida Sailfish Initiative, led by TBF, is backed by a strong network of regional tournament teams including Old No. 7 (70’ Spencer), Princess Lily (66’ Viking), Sandman (63’ Spencer), Native Son (39’ SeaVee) and the Valhalla 55’ Demo, as well as leading scientific institutions like the University of Southern Mississippi. Together, this initiative combines the sportfishing community and cutting-edge satellite technology to better understand sailfish movement, habitat use, depth preferences, and temperature patterns.

This program represents the first dedicated regional sailfish satellite tagging effort in years — bringing together anglers, captains, researchers, and conservation leaders to advance science-driven fisheries management in South Florida.

SoFL Sailfish Initiative

Why Sailfish?

South Florida is home to one of the most important sailfish fisheries in the world. These fish support a thriving recreational fishery and tournament circuit, but key questions remain:

Where do Florida sailfish travel?
How long do they remain in regional waters?
What depths and temperatures do they prefer?
How do oceanographic conditions influence their behavior?

By answering these questions, TBF can help inform conservation strategies, responsible angling practices, and science-based management decisions.

SoFL Sailfish Initiative

How it Works

The Southern Florida Sailfish Initiative utilizes Pop-Up Archival Satellite Tags (PSATs) — advanced, tracking devices designed to collect high-resolution environmental and behavioral data from billfish in the open ocean.

Pop-Up Archival Satellite Tags (PSATs)

Once deployed, a PSAT records:

Depth (vertical movement patterns)
Ambient water temperature
Light-based geolocation data
Time-at-depth and habitat preference

After a pre-programmed period (6-9 months for this project), the tag automatically detaches from the fish, floats to the surface, and transmits summarized data via satellite to researchers. This allows scientists to reconstruct migration routes, identify thermal preferences, and analyze vertical behavior without requiring the fish to be recaptured.

For sailfish in South Florida, PSAT technology provides critical insight into:

Regional residency vs. long-distance migration
Seasonal movement corridors
Offshore vs. inshore habitat use
Behavior relative to thermoclines and oceanographic conditions

Because Atlantic sailfish are highly migratory and move through dynamic current systems like the Gulf Stream, satellite tagging offers one of the only reliable methods to study their behavior at scale.

By incorporating PSAT technology into the Initiative, TBF ensures that conservation decisions are informed by robust, science-driven data — strengthening fisheries management and protecting Florida’s sailfish population for generations to come.

When the tag releases and transmits to satellite, researchers analyze the data to identify patterns critical to long-term sustainability.

The Skillie Project

Team

Peter Chaibongsai

Project Lead, TBF

Hannah Trotter

Project Communications

Capt. Joe Gugino

Project Partnerships

Matt Rissell

Videographer

Matt Foley

Photographer

Capt. John Galvin

Captain, El Diablo

Capt. Robbie Goodwin

Captain, Scup Slayer

Dr. Walter Golet

Lead Scientist, UMaine

Sammi Nadeau

Scientist, UMaine

Capt. Martin Scanlan

Captain Whiskey, UMaine

SoFL Sailfish Initiative

Turning Competition into Conservation

By engaging the tournament community, TBF:

Expands scientific data collection
Promotes best handling and release practices
Strengthens angler-driven conservation
Builds regional stewardship for Florida’s sailfish fishery

This initiative demonstrates how recreational anglers are not just participants — they are leading the way. Their knowledge and experience have been essential for these conservation efforts.

SoFL Sailfish Initiative

Part of the “40 for 40” Campaign

The Southern Florida Sailfish Initiative is a core component of TBF’s 40 for 40 Campaign, celebrating 40 years of conservation by committing 40 satellite tags.

Every tag brings us closer to:

• Stronger science
• Smarter management
• Sustainable billfish populations for generations to come

SoFL Sailfish Initiative

Get Involved

Whether you are a tournament team, sponsor, or conservation supporter, you can help expand the Southern Florida Sailfish Initiative.

Support a tag.
Partner on a deployment.
Help advance billfish conservation across the Atlantic.

Together, we’re proving that community can spark conservation.

Tag Sponsors

Interested in becoming a tag sponsor?

SoFL Sailfish Initiative

MAKE A DONATION

Please Note: This is only a donation to The Billfish Foundation.

Your funds will be directed to the program of your choice and not towards a membership.

SoFL Sailfish Initiative

Overview

SoFL Sailfish Initiative

Why Sailfish?

SoFL Sailfish Initiative

How it Works

Pop-Up Archival Satellite Tags (PSATs)

The Skillie Project

Team

Peter Chaibongsai

Project Lead, TBF

Hannah Trotter

Project Communications

Capt. Joe Gugino

Project Partnerships

Matt Rissell

Videographer

Matt Foley

Photographer

Capt. John Galvin

Captain, El Diablo

Capt. Robbie Goodwin

Captain, Scup Slayer

Dr. Walter Golet

Lead Scientist, UMaine

Sammi Nadeau

Scientist, UMaine

Capt. Martin Scanlan

Captain Whiskey, UMaine

SoFL Sailfish Initiative

Turning Competition into Conservation

SoFL Sailfish Initiative

Part of the “40 for 40” Campaign

SoFL Sailfish Initiative

Get Involved

Tag Sponsors

SoFL Sailfish Initiative

MAKE A DONATION

SoFL Sailfish Initiative

Sponsors

The Skillie Project

Community Support

Capt. Bob Goodwin

Fishery Pioneer

Doug Lindley

Fishery Pioneer

George Bassett

Matt Reimeno & Fishing Nantucket

Jonas Baker & Brotherhood of Theives

Bonnie Lema & Nantucket Anglers Club

Slip 14

Cisco Brewing

Peter Van Dingstee

Logo Artist & Owner Pete’s Fishing Tales

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