The Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) was presented with a $2000 donation.  With the suggestion of Sharkathon, PINS will use the 2009 donation to expand educational outreach opportunities for school-age students.  PINS Superintendent, Joe Escoto and Chief Ranger, DeDe Mladucky accepted the donation.  
 
The Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi will be using the 2009 donation to purchase more dart tags for shark research.  TAMUCC distributed tags to anglers in the shark division at both the 2008 and 2009 tournaments.  Harte Research Institute (HRI) Endowed Associate Research Professor, Dr. Greg Stunz and HRI Research Associate Megan Robillard accepted the donation.
 
Friends of Padre will be using the 2009 donation to continue to restore and protect Padre Island.  In particular, the donation will assist with the funding of the Big Shell Beach Cleanup.  Friends of Padre President, Billy Sandifer and Friends of Padre Vice President, David McKee accepted the donation.   
 
Photo credit to Jeff Janko.