2020 DRP Year in Review / 1,186 Tag Deployments and 38 Movements
2020 DRP Year in Review / 1,186 Tag Deployments and 38 Movements
We wish all participants and supporters of the DRP
Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

Made Possible by a Grant from the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation
2020 Year in Review
We have come to the end of 2020, which marks three years of successfully continuing the Dolphinfish Research Program (DRP) following Don Hammond's retirement.   
In 2020, DRP personnel embarked on 10 field outings with 3 different fishing teams in 3 tagging zones; conducted 4 virtual seminars; published new scientific research on the movements of dolphinfish off Baja California; and issued 12 DRP monthly newsletters and 4 short videos.  When looking back on the past 3 years, our effort has resulted in a 25% increase in tag deployments and new movement data acquired.  In addition, 620 anglers have received tagging kits since 1.1.2018.  In 2021, our goal is to distribute 5,000 tags in tagging kits to 400 anglers as well as deploy several habitat use and geolocating satellite transmitters on adult fish in the Caribbean Sea and along the U.S. East Coast.  Next year marks the 20th year of conducting research with the public through this tagging program.  Please give what you can to help our program continue to engage anglers in research on dolphinfish and offshore fisheries.
Donations are fully tax-deductible and can be made by donating to the Beyond Our Shores Foundation via check (click here) or paypal (click here).  You can also buy a DRP tee shirt, hat, or tagging kit by clicking here.  A very special thanks to those who have already stepped up to support the program in 2021! Thank you!     
In January, we will announce the winners of our 2020 DRP Year-End Awards Program and the regional Mid-Atlantic Bight awards.  To see last year's award winners, click here.  Our 2020 awards program was sponsored by AFTCO, GHOF, Star Rods, and Shimano.  Please submit any outstanding tag deployment reports by email to wess@beyondourshores.org before the end of the year.  Stay tuned!
2020 DRP Performance Metrics
The DRP Returns to TSL
2020 DRP Performance Metrics (through 12/21)  
  • 3,639 tags in 260 kits were distributed to 218 anglers in 10 nations 
  • Continued youth tagging with the Boy Scouts of America; 71 tagged 
  • 1,186 total tags deployed, 38 movements generated 

             2020 DRP Angler Highlights by Month (Click Images to Enlarge)
Below are notable highlights generated by anglers participating in the past 12 months of research associated with the Dolphinfish Research Program (DRP). 

January/February 2020


Milestone:  2019 year-end awards presented to 9 fishing teams plus the Scouts at Summerland Key, FL.  Awards provided by AFTCO, Star Rods, Shimano, and GHOF.
First Place Anglers: Captain Don Gates and the Killin’ Time II Fishing Team; Captains Rick and Jimbo Thomas of the Thomas Flyer; the Scouts at Summerland Key; Captain Ed Kattel of Cool Cat; Captain Julien Brossel of Madatet; Captain Bob Feliniski and his sons aboard Latitude AdjustmentClick here to read more.

March/April 2020


Observation: Dolphin recapture Big Pine Key, FL, to Barbuda, in 265 days.
Anglers Involved: Captain Ron Teke aboard Colorado Magic; Captain Vickram Dindyal aboard EmmaClick here to read more.  

May/June 2020


Observation:  Eight dolphin recoveries generated from Key West, FL, to Port St. Lucie, FL; when averaged, ranked among slowest June movements recorded in the Florida Straits over this 19-year study. 
Anglers Involved:  Captain Don Gates and the Killin' Time II fishing team and Captains Jimbo and Rick Thomas aboard the Thomas Flyer

July/August 2020


Observation:  Dolphin recapture Grand Cayman, to Key Largo, FL, in 38 days.
Fishers: Captain Guy Harvey and angler Jessica Harvey aboard Makaira; Captain Lazaro Rangel aboard Lady C

September/October 2020


Outreach:  A series of three comprehensive seminars were given to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Technical Committee,  Dolphin/Wahoo Panel, and Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation regarding our research conducted since 2002 along with a preliminary re-analysis of Dr. Robin Mahon's 1999 published work on dolphinfish fisheries in the Caribbean Sea.  

November/December 2020


Observation:  Preliminary analysis of habitat use of adult male and female dolphinfish tagged off Tropic Star Lodge completed.     Click here to read more.

Made possible by:  Tropic Star Lodge; the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, and Guy Harvey Research Institute.

Support the DRP in 2021

We ask you to contribute what you can today to support the Dolphinfish Research Program in 2021.  This year our tagging program had a great year thanks to our loyal sponsors, supporters, and participants.  Today, we are asking you to do what you can to help us engage more fishermen in our tagging program in 2021.  As a leader in public engagement in research and conservation of dolphin, your donation will advance our expanding organization by helping to purchase more tags to distribute to anglers, bolster our education programs and materials, and improve fisheries data collection among recreational, for-hire, and small-scale commercial fishermen.  Help the DRP continue documenting movement and population trends of wild dolphin in our oceans in 2021 by supporting us today.  There are two ways to support our effort.  You can make a tax-deductible donation to the Beyond Our Shores Foundation (click here to donate) or
purchase a kit, shirt, or hat in our online shop (click here to shop).  The Beyond Our Shores Foundation, a 501(c)(3), was formed in 2017 to help support the growth of the DRP, and since then, we have distributed 15,334 tags around the world to 620 anglers and logged over 5,730 tag deployments and 147 new dolphin movements.   

Request Your Kit for 2021

From now until the end of 2021, our goal is to distribute tagging kits to 400 individual anglers.  If you are new to the program or need more tags, please request your kit today. Click here to request a kit. Interested in purchasing your kit to help support the program? Please click here.  

2020 Platnium Sponsor

Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation

2020 Gold Sponsors

Grady-White Boats
AFTCO
SiriusXM Marine
Perry and Neblett, P.A.
SC DNR
PR DRNA
Sport Fish Restoration

2020 Silver Sponsors

Sea Grant Puerto Rico
CCA FLorida Star
Bird of Prey Fishing Tackle
Florence Blue Water Fishing Club
Central Florida Offshore Anglers
Florida Sport Fishing Association
West Palm Beach Fishing Club
West Palm Beach Fishing Club

2020 Bronze Sponsors

2020 Year-End Award Sponsors

November Newsletter October DRP Newsletter September eNewsletter
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