2025 – DRP International Tag and Release
Award Winners 

We would like to thank Penn FishingCosta Del MarAFTCO, and the Guy Harvey Foundation for providing strong incentives for fishermen to tag and release small, healthy dolphinfish for the Dolphinfish Research Program (DRP) in 2025.  These premier fishing tackle companies and sponsors of the DRP have shown their commitment to the conservation of this important fishery by donating top-quality equipment and art for incentive awards to encourage fishermen to assist the DRP.  For the 2025 tagging year, we distributed $5,562 worth of gear and art to 66 captains and their crews who collectively tagged and released 1,750 dolphin in 2025 generated 26 of the 43 recoveries produced in 2025!  When the value of our year-end awards is combined with additional tagging and recapture awards distributed in 2025, our program, through the support of our sponsors, distributed $9,000 worth of fishing gear, products, and cash rewards to fishermen around the world as well as cash awards to international recapture reporters!  A complete list of all 2025 award winners is below.  Congratulations to our award winners! 

Top Private Boat: Don Gates Killin’ Time II  – 669 Tagged 

2nd Private Boat: David Wamer Wam-Jam– 121 Tagged

Top Charter Boat: Jon Reynolds Drop Back Charters – 138 Tagged

2nd Charter Boat:  Dwayne Sapp  Sea Swamp Charters – 28 Tagged 

Top Boat in the SAB: Ed Kattel Cool Cat – 197 Tagged
2nd Boat in the SAB:  Mike Prendergast Reel Therapy  – 37 Tagged
Top Boat in the Tropics: Julien Brossel Madatet Fishing – 61 Tagged

2nd Boat in the Tropics:  Luis Burgos CFA – 26 Tagged
Top Boat in the MAB: Dr. Iyke Blackemore Marlin Gull – 113 Tagged 
2nd Boat in the MAB:  No Qualifier – Needed 20 tagged and released to qualify 

Top Boat in the GOM: Jimmy Crochet Rising Sons – 30 Tagged
2nd Boat in the GOM:  No Qualifier – Needed 20 tagged and released to qualify 

Top Captain with the Scouts – Marshall Ruffo – 25 Tagged


Notable Mentions for Tagging >=10 Dolphin (received shirts, hats, tags, and art):

Angelo Masullo Levon (27); Chris Frost Lightning Strike (23); Gary York Mag E III (20); Daniel Kubiak Southern Run (20); Dane Dellenback Knot Workin’ (19); Tropic Star Lodge Miss Texas (19); Jimbo and Rick Thomas Thomas Flyer (18); Christian Sanchez Miami Sailfish (17); Willie Howard Captain Willies Charters (17); Wilmer Sanchez The Big Deal (16); Todd Floyd Nemenches (16); Chris Jobes Pair of Docs (13); Jason and Casey Hampson Early Retirement (13); Jim Henrichsen Lucky Lady (14); Frank Betz Leviathan (11); John Dudas Sandman (11); David Claeys Hook n Cook (11); Joel Nulman Sedative (10); Gregg Smith Patriot (10)

In order to qualify for 2026 Dolphinfish Research Program Year-End Awards, a minimum of 20 dolphinfish need to be tagged, released, and recorded with the DRP.  We also issue recapture awards for taggers and the reporters.  A special thanks to AFTCOCosta Del Mar, the Guy Harvey Foundation, and Penn Fishing for their support of our tagging awards program.  

  • Beyond Our Shores Foundation
  • PO BOX 3506
  • Newport, RI 02840

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