Tom Davidson Sr., Founding Chairman of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, will be inducted into the International Game Fish Association's Fishing Hall of Fame on August 29, 2026, at Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri. The honor recognizes Davidson's lifetime of leadership in fisheries conservation.
Davidson began fishing the Florida Keys in the 1970s, developing a deep appreciation for the region's bonefish and the unique ecosystem that supports them. For many years, the fishery appeared stable. By the early 1990s, however, a troubling pattern began to emerge. Each successive season yielded fewer bonefish landed by local guides and anglers. Then, in March of 1997, the decline became unmistakable. For weeks, the flats around Key Largo in the Upper Florida Keys were nearly devoid of bonefish. Seeking answers, Davidson turned to the scientific literature, expecting to find data on spawning behavior, juvenile habitat, population trends, and migration. Instead, he found a void. Because bonefish were not commercially harvested, they had received little formal study. There were no meaningful stock assessments, no comprehensive life-history research, and no baseline population data. For Davidson—a seasoned entrepreneur accustomed to addressing complex challenges through disciplined inquiry—the absence of information was as concerning as the decline itself.
He responded decisively. Davidson contacted five fellow anglers—Russ Fisher, Dick Farmer, Roe Stamps, Mike Smith, and Joel Shepherd—and proposed that each contribute $10,000 to support a University of Miami research initiative. The objective was straightforward: gather existing knowledge and launch a bonefish tagging program to begin building the scientific foundation that did not yet exist. That initial commitment marked the beginning of what would become a transformative conservation effort.
The group first organized as Bonefish Unlimited and soon joined forces with others focused on tarpon conservation, forming Bonefish & Tarpon Unlimited. As the mission broadened, the organization began to focus on permit as well and adopted the name Bonefish & Tarpon Trust while expanding its scope internationally.
From the outset, Davidson established a principle that continues to define BTT's work: effective conservation must be grounded in rigorous science. Early research symposia convened scientists to study bonefish, tarpon, and permit—species that had been surprisingly underexamined despite their ecological and economic importance. Under Davidson's leadership as Chairman of the Board for nearly two decades, BTT evolved into a respected, science-driven conservation organization with global reach.
The impact of Davidson's vision has been substantial. BTT-led research has identified and secured protections for critical spawning locations for bonefish in The Bahamas and the Florida Keys, advanced the understanding of the permit life cycle to conserve the species, and completed the largest tarpon tracking study in history, generating valuable data used to improve fishery management. Recognizing that these species traverse international boundaries, BTT expanded its work throughout The Bahamas and into Mexico, Belize, and Cuba. Scientific discovery consistently informed conservation action—strengthening resource management, advancing catch-and-release protections in Florida and Belize, and safeguarding and restoring vital bonefish habitat in The Bahamas.
At the core of this work remains the question that galvanized Davidson in 1997: what caused the decline of the Florida Keys bonefish, and how can the fishery be restored? That objective continues to guide BTT's work in the region today, which centers on cutting-edge research on bonefish spawning and genetics, and has expanded to include a suite of innovative studies on permit spawning, shark depredation, and the seasonal tarpon migration. These efforts are complemented by BTT's science-based advocacy for clean water initiatives, Everglades restoration, and the protection of essential flats habitats. While restoration is an ongoing process, it is now supported by a depth of scientific understanding that was absent when Davidson began asking questions nearly three decades ago.
Davidson's induction into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame recognizes more than personal achievement. It honors a legacy of institution-building and conservation leadership. A distinguished business executive and former Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year, Davidson founded and led multiple companies operating across North America and Europe and chaired prominent leadership organizations. He is also a board member of the Everglades Foundation, and served on the Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary Advisory Board and as VP Director of Sanctuary Friends of the Florida Keys. Among his many accomplishments, the founding of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust stands as a lasting contribution to the future of flats fisheries. What began as a response to declining bonefish in the Florida Keys has grown into an organization that consistently advances fisheries science and translates knowledge into meaningful conservation outcomes.
The IGFA Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who leave a lasting imprint on the world of sportfishing. Tom Davidson's imprint is evident not only in his personal achievements, but in the enduring organization he helped build and the fisheries it continues to conserve.
On behalf of BTT's board, staff, scientists, partners, and supporters, we congratulate Tom Davidson on this well-deserved honor and thank him for the vision and leadership that continue to guide our mission.
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