The Billfish Foundation (TBF) is proud to announce the successful launch of The Bahamas Initiative, a new project focused on advancing billfish science and conservation in the Caribbean. Our team, which consisted of the University of Southern Mississippi’s Center for Fisheries Research and Development and the crew of the Old No.7, made the most of every opportunity during those two offshore days, releasing three billfish, deploying a traditional tag on a sailfish, and successfully placing a satellite tag on a blue marlin.
As the data from this first satellite tag (and future tags) begin to report, we hope to uncover valuable information in favor of conservation strategies in The Bahamas and the roader Atlantic. We’re especially interested in examining potential migratory connections between the Bahamas, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Northeast U.S.—a theory we’re now actively testing through community-based research efforts.
The mission was an essential step forward in our research project progression, allowing our crews to gain critical hands-on experience, refine their deployment techniques, and ensure better data quality and long-term success during future expeditions
TBF hopes this tagging effort will serve as a catalyst for a multi-year, community-focused and community-supported research initiative across The Bahamas as part of our growing Groundswell Projects. By anchoring research in local engagement, we aim to create conservation solutions that reflect both ecological needs and community values.
The success of this inaugural mission would not have been possible without the support of our dedicated partners. We’re especially grateful to YETI, Nomadix, ROFFS Marine Forecasting, Costa Sunglasses, and Turtlebox Audio. Their commitment to marine conservation helps make projects like this possible. A special thank you goes to the Old No. 7 fishing team for their time, expertise, and resources in helping us get this project off the ground.
With strong momentum and some lessons learned, we’re just getting started. More expeditions are planned, and with every trip, The Bahamas Initiative becomes more effective, more informed, and more impactful.
If you’d like to learn more about this initiative or find out how to get involved, please contact us at [email protected].
