Since May, 668 dolphin have been tagged along the U.S. East Coast for the Dolphinfish Research Program (DRP), and 24 of those fish have been recaptured as of today. This represents an overall recapture rate of 3.5%, which is high compared to previous years (2.1% in 2018 and 2.2% in 2019). Considering only fish tagged and released in June in the Florida Keys over the past three years, the recapture rate for those fish was 2.6% in 2018, 2.9% in 2019, and 4.5% this year. What can explain the high recapture rate this year for dolphin tagged in the Florida Keys? Does this mean more anglers are fishing this year? That there are less dolphin or dolphin habitat (sargassum) moving through the region? Or, is it a combination of those factors? We have heard reports from some fishermen that the pandemic has reduced the number of trips they make in a year, but for others, they are fishing more than ever. We have also received mixed reports about the run of dolphin through the Florida Straits in that it seems the dolphin did not show up and there was a lack of large sargassum patches. Another factor that could explain the high recovery rate is proper tagging protocols followed by DRP participating vessels. By tagging vessel, WamJam has a 5.9% recovery rate with 5 of the 84 fish they tagged in June recovered. Killin' Time II has a 5.1% recovery rate (17 recaptures from 327 tagged and released). Last year, WamJam had a .7% recovery rate and Killin' Time II had 5.3% recovery rate. Therefore, the uptick in higher overall recovery rate could be simply be due to better tagging protocols used by WamJam. But, another vessel, Slam Em' Back Captained by Jay Reid, only tagged six fish and one of those fish was recovered (a 16% recovery rate). Data such as these collected in association with the DRP are useful in comparing past, present, and future trends for dolphin and are only made possible through the dedication of anglers such as you. Click here to read more about July recoveries along the U.S. East Coast.
| |
Keys to South Florida - July Recaptures
| |
Figure 1 - July 2020 Florida Keys to South Florida dolphinfish mark and recapture locations and minimum straightline arrows between sites. Numbers indicate days at liberty. Red numbers indicate recapture locations for fish that were tagged in the same school at the same location. The 200-meter bathymetric contour is indicated with a yellow arrow.
| |
Recaptures reported by: Jeremy Huston, Richard Winchester, Jillian Massiello, Thomas Egyhazi, Benjamin Leatherman and Anthony Del Rios
| |
Florida to NC & MAB - July Recaptures
| |
Figure 2 - July 2020 Florida dolphinfish mark and recapture locations and minimum straightline arrows between recapture sites off North Carolina and New Jersey. Numbers indicate days at liberty. The 200-meter bathymetric contour is indicated with a yellow arrow.
| |
Recaptures reported by: Michael Martin, Melissa Mekesa, Kenny Midgett, Vito Defrancesco, and James Anderson
| |
Welcome New Board Members
| |
Three years ago in July, we began the process of forming the Beyond Our Shores Foundation, a 501(c)(3), to expand the Dolphinfish Research Program. Since then, our Board of Directors has provided critical support and guidance to our program and we are excited to annouce our newest board members! Click on their images below to view their profiles.
| |
35 years fishing experience
Homeport - Cape May, NJ
Region - Mid-Atlantic Bight
| |
25 years fishing experience
Homeport - Georgetown, SC
Region - South Atlantic Bight
| |
2020 Summer Research Interns
| |
Since July 2017, we have had 20 fisheries research interns, which includes two separate groups of students from the University of Maryland, assist with our research and tagging program and learn about fisheries and dolphinfish. This summer we are excited to have two more fisheries research interns. Read more about our interns below to learn how they are helping to develop their skillsets and further our tagging program's impact on outreach, education, and science.
| |
Jack is creating a digital archive of the entire record of 19 years of monthly newsletters published by the Dolphinfish Research Program (DRP).
| |
Margaret is writing a scientific note that couples remote sensing data with field observations from a research expedition conducted in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Caribbean Sea in 2018.
| |
Shop To Support Our Tagging Program
| |
A great way to support the Dolphinfish Research Program (DRP) is to purchase a program t-shirt, hat, performance fishing shirt, or tagging kit. Proceeds from your purchase help ship free tagging kits to anglers all over the world. Funds also help purchase new tags as well as tag kit supplies. Help support our research of one of the ocean's most iconic offshore game fish species. Click here or the button below to support us.
| |
|
Three years ago in July we began the process to form the Beyond Our Shores Foundation, a 501(c)(3), to support and expand the DRP. Through your gracious support the Dolphinfish Research Program has been steadily growing ever since. Help us continue to expand our tagging program. Click here to donate.
| |
|
|
