20th Tarponian Tournament Reels In $8,000 for Florida Keys Wildlife Nonprofits
MARATHON, Fla. (June 23, 2026) — The annual Tarponian Tournament celebrated its 20th year in the Florida Keys by giving back: organizers donated $4,000 each to two Marathon-based animal rescue and care organizations, The Turtle Hospital and Dolphin Research Center.
The milestone event, held recently in Marathon, drew 30 teams and 90 anglers from across the country for three nights of tarpon fishing at Marathon-area bridges.
Tournament organizer Gary Leone presented the donations to The Turtle Hospital, represented by founder Richie Moretti and manager Bette Zirkelbach; and to Dolphin Research Center’s VP of finance and administration Shane Keween, during the event's awards banquet at Florida Keys Steak & Lobster House.
Pennsylvania-based tournament founder David Breznicky said the event has grown from a small group of Northeastern anglers to 90 participants nationwide this year. "We wanted to give back to the community that has welcomed us for the past 20 years with these donations, and we plan to continue with our local philanthropic efforts in the years to come."
This year's first-place team included Anton Krucky of Hawaii, Wayne Adkins of Virginia and Wayne Adkins III of California.
Next year's Tarponian Tournament takes place April 24-28, 2027.
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(From left) Shane Keween of the Dolphin Research Center, Gary Leone representing the Tarponian Tournament, and Bette Zirkelbach alongside Richie Moretti from The Turtle Hospital smile during a donation presentation in Marathon, Fla. The tournament, celebrating its 20th anniversary in Marathon, started a tradition of giving back to wildlife rescue and other non-profits in the Middle Keys community.
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