Since our inception 15 years ago, the IGFTO has witnessed the release of 76,471+ billfish and has incurred several million dollars of personal expenses in order to observe and conserve the species for future generations. Here are tournament highlights from the recent past.
7,928 Billfish Released
As of June 30, 2025, 189 observers attended the Los Sueños Ladies one-day tournament prior to Legs 1, 2, & 3, the Signature Triple Crown Legs 1, 2, & 3, the Pescadora, and Charleston Billfish Cup witnessing the release of 7,651 Billfish (7,476 Sailfish and 174 Marlins (all species)) in the Pacific.
254 Observers
8,348 Billfish Released
2024 has dispatched 254 Observers for Legs 1, 2, & 3 Ladies Tournament and the Triple Crown Series in Los Sueños Costa Rica, the Pescadora in Quepos, the 71st setting of the International Billfish Tournament in Puerto Rico, and the 30th Anniversary of the El Salvador International.
Our Observers witnessed a total of 7,690 Billfish released (7452 Sailfish, 33 Blue Marlin, and 205 other Marlins).
230 Observers
3,655 Billfish Released
10 Tournaments
2023 dispatched 230 Observers to 10 tournaments in Costa Rica for seven instances including three Los Sueños Ladies Tournaments and Legs One, Two, and Three of the Triple Crown, to Quepos for the Pescadora, to Puerto Rico for the 70th International Billfish Tournament, to El Salvador for the International Billfish Tournament, and to Guatemala for the 8th Annual Guatemala Billfish Invitational.
Observers witnessed the release of 3,655 billfish. Among these were 3,215 Sailfish and 440 Marlins (Blue, Black, and Striped). Releases were observed in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Our membership is comprised of approximately 85% males, 15% females.
A little over half of our members come from Florida, but 12% come from the Midwest and Western United States, 10% come from the South, and 10% from New England. 5% of our members come from outside the United States.
