We have come to the end of 2019 as well as our first 2 years of running the Dolphinfish Research Program ( DRP) following Don Hammond's retirement. Click here to watch a short video that provides an overview of the past 2 years of research and showcases some notable highlights.
In 2019, DRP personnel embarked on 19 field outings with 6 different fishing teams in 4 tagging zones; visited you at 2 fishing club meetings, at a tradeshow, on the Florida Insider Fishing Report, and at 2 fishing tournaments; scuba dove FADs; published new scientific research with NCSU; and issued 11 DRP newsletters and 3 short videos. When looking back on the past 2 years, our effort has resulted in a 160% increase in tag deployments and a 147% increase in the amount of new movement data acquired. Additionally, 540 individual anglers received tagging kits since 1.1.2018. As we close 2019, we remain $7,000 short of having an operational budget to start the year in 2020. Please give what you can to help fund the DRP in 2020. Donations are fully tax-deductible and can be made by donating to Beyond Our Shores, Inc./Dolphinfish Research Program 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 2020! Thank you!
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2019 DRP Performance Metrics
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2019 DRP Performance Metrics (through 12/13)
- 5,424 tags in 378 kits were distributed to 300 anglers in 10 nations
- Enhanced youth tagging with the Boy Scouts of America; 162 tagged 4 recaptures
- Retured to the Tropic Star Lodge in Panama; deployed 71 tags and 7 satellite tags
- 2,165 total tags deployed, 53 movements generated
- 4 new satellite tag movements obtained in the Atlantic/Caribbean, 7 off Panama
2019 DRP Angler Highlights by Month (Click Images to Enlarge)
Below are 6 notable highlights generated by anglers participating in the past 12 months of research associated with the Dolphinfish Research Program (DRP).
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January/February 2019
Observation: Dolphin recapture Cudjoe Key, FL, to Arecibo, Puerto Rico in 198 days.
Fishers Involved: Captain Don Gates and mates Allen Lewis and Darryl Williams of the Killin’ Time II Fishing Team; Pedro Reyes of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, aboard Ivy Yan. Click here to read more.
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March/April 2019
Observation: Dolphin recapture Big Pine Key, FL, to St. Thomas, USVIs, in 210 days.
Fishers Involved: Captain Darryl and Danielle Gustafson aboard Weed Seeker; Captain Colin Butler and the Fish Whistle Sport Fishing Charters. Click here to read more.
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May/June 2019
Observation: Multiple PSAT deployments; two records obtained > 50 days each; one PSAT recovered. Click here to watch a short video about this.
Fishers Involved: Captain Jesus “Milo” Duran and the Yadimar Fishing Team; Oscar Paredes Harbor Master Marina Casa de Campo
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July/August 2019
Observation: Dolphin recapture St. Thomas, USVIs, to Islamorada, FL, in 51 days.
Fishers: Captain Chad Carter and angler Ryan Smith aboard Miss Caroline; Captain Colin Butler of Fish Whistle Sport Fishing Charters
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September/October 2019
Publication: Estimating Discard Mortality for Dolphinfish in a Recreational
Hook-and-Line Fishery
Scientists Involved: Dr. Paul Rudershausen, Dr. Stephen Poland, Dr. Wessley Merten and Dr. Jeffrey Buckel
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November/December 2019
Milestone: Return of the DRP to the Tropic Star Lodge ( TSL). Click here to read more. Made possible by: Tropic Star Lodge, TSL Captains, mates, visting anglers; Dr. Guy Harvey, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, and Guy Harvey Research Institute at NOVA Southeastern University.
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Support the DRP in 2020
The Beyond Our Shores Foundation is the official 501(c)(3) founded to support and expand the DRP. This year the program had a banner year thanks to support from four corporate financial sponsors, four in-kind supporters, three state agencies, six fishing clubs, and 101 private donors. Today, we are asking you to do what you can to help us engage more fishermen in our research programs in 2020. As a leader in the 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. Click here to donate.
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Request Your Kit for 2020
In 2019, we exceeded our target of tagging kit distribution but will resume sending out kits in the new year. If you are new to the program or need more tags please request your kit today to get in the queue. Click here to request a kit. Want to purchase kits to help support the program? Please click here.
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