The Billfish Foundation’s (TBF) International Tagging Initiative provides vital tagging equipment to regions with little or no billfish data, aiding in the expansion of scientific research and promotion of responsible fishing. Over the years, TBF has supplied kits to Asia, Africa, and Central and South America, helping local anglers contribute valuable data to global billfish conservation efforts and fostering a new generation of conservation-minded anglers.
This year, the impact of the program was undeniable. Several recipients from Kenya emerged as top contenders in TBF’s annual Tag & Release Competition, winning prestigious awards such as Top Tagging Angler and Top Tagging Captain for a number of species. Their commitment to tagging not only advances scientific understanding but also showcases the power of grassroots conservation on the international stage.
Joan Vernon, a TBF Lifetime Achievement Award winner and long-time board member, played a key role in sustaining this program for many years. Today, support from organizations such as Rock the Ocean and Nomadix helps keep it thriving. With continued funding, TBF can provide more regions with essential tagging equipment to further global billfish research.
If you or someone you know would like to support this program, click here. Every tag deployed strengthens the future of billfish and the fisheries that depend on them.
