The southern bluefin tuna (SBT) genetic tagging program provides an annual estimate of absolute abundance of juvenile SBT for use in the Management Procedure, which is used to set the global total allowable catch. These data are also used in the integrated stock assessment, management strategy evaluation operating models and review of indicators. Recruitment monitoring has been a priority research area for SBT since recruitment declines were detected in the early 1980s. The genetic tagging program was specifically designed to provide fishery-independent data on recruitment for the Commission for the Conservation of SBT (CCSBT). Recruitment information is essential for managing a long-lived and late-maturing species, because it provides an early warning of future spawning stock declines, which is especially important given uncertainties related to impacts of climate change. The Management Procedure combines 3 data sources; genetic tagging data on recruitment, fishery-dependent CPUE, and close-kin mark-recapture data on adult abundance and mortality. The genetic tagging program has been running successfully since 2016.