Saltwater

What Saltwater does

Saltwater Inc. is a privately held, Women Owned Small Business headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska, founded in 1988 to provide high-quality data for sustainable fisheries management. The company operates a dual business around (i) placement and management of fishery observers — a team of more than 100 professional biologists logging approximately 15,000 sea days per year across U.S. and international fisheries — and (ii) electronic monitoring (EM) systems and services, anchored by the proprietary Saltwater Intelligent Monitoring (SWIM) family of onboard hardware (Standard, Mobile Boat System, Small Vessel System, SWIM-Nano) running O2 open-source software, paired with the O2Review open-source EM data review platform co-developed with Chordata LLC and Sea State Inc. Saltwater also delivers Marine Mammal Observer / Protected Species Observer (MMO/PSO) services and holds NOAA prime contractor status in the ProTech-Fisheries domain, one of only 17 such certified contractors and one of only five certified Women Owned Small Businesses in that pool. The company maintains offices in Anchorage, Kodiak, Seattle, San Francisco, Orlando, Boston, Homer, Gloucester, Woods Hole, Astoria, and Norwalk, with international deployments in Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, the Caribbean, and Antarctica.

Revenue is generated through a mix of professional services (observer placement, EM program design and management, EM data review and database management, ProTech-Fisheries task orders, MMO/PSO placement), hardware sales and 24/7 support for SWIM systems, and grant-funded applied research (e.g., Saltonstall-Kennedy, NFWF, MSC Ocean Stewardship Fund). Customer segments span federal agencies (NOAA-Fisheries, NOAA NEFSC, NOAA HMS), state agencies (Alaska Department of Fish and Game), international fisheries authorities (Sernapesca Chile, AFMA Australia, CCAMLR Antarctic), nonprofit research and conservation organizations (Mote Marine Laboratory, The Nature Conservancy, EDF, Coonamessett Farm Foundation, Ocean Foundation, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership), and commercial fishing fleets (Trident Seafoods, Talleys Group Ltd, North Pacific Fishermen's Association, Peninsula Fishermen Coalition). The company has held the Atlantic Pelagic Longline EM program since 2014 (the first fully implemented EM program of its kind in the U.S., 100+ vessels), the Mote Marine Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish EM partnership (800+ vessels), and NOAA NEFSC groundfish and EM programs, and has received Exceptional Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) ratings from NOAA-Fisheries in 2018 and twice in 2020.

Name

Saltwater

Legal name

Saltwater Inc.

Website

https://saltwaterinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Saltwater Inc., founded in 1988 in Anchorage, Alaska, provides electronic monitoring systems (SWIM hardware, O2Review software) and professional fishery observer services to NOAA, state agencies, international fisheries authorities, and commercial fishing fleets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fishery Monitoring Services

NAICS

Fishing (1141), Fishing (11411), Finfish Farming and Fish Hatcheries (112511)

SIC

Fishing, Hunting And Trapping (900)

akta.pro primary industry

Aquaculture Farm Services & Operations Support (net cleaning, diving, grading, harvesting) (AFAEAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

Keywords

• Fishery observer services
• Electronic monitoring systems
• Fisheries data management
• Marine mammal observer services
• Fishery program management

Headquarters

HQ city

Anchorage

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Fishery Observer Services: Professional observer placement and deployment for commercial fishing vessels, research vessels, and processing plants. Saltwater recruits, trains, and deploys biologists to collect data on catch, bycatch, marine mammals, seabirds, and ocean conditions. Services contracted directly by vessels or through government programs.
2. Electronic Monitoring Systems & Support: Sale and support of SWIM onboard monitoring systems (Standard, MBS, SVS, Nano variants) including hardware, installation, 24/7 technical support, and data transmission services.
3. EM Data Review & Database Management: Review of EM video data, database management, data analysis and audit services. Uses O2Review open-source software. Represents major ongoing costs for EM programs.
4. EM Program Design & Project Management: Design, implementation and ongoing management of EM programs from pilot projects to large-scale fleet-wide programs. Includes contracts ranging from 5-year 100+ vessel programs to short-term machine learning projects.
5. ProTech-Fisheries Contracts: NOAA prime contractor providing professional and technical services including marine science, bioacoustics, environmental data collection, NEPA consulting, ESA Section 7 consulting, ecosystem studies, fisheries data, IT/software development, impact analyses, hatchery genetic management plans, electronic monitoring, and data analysis.
6. MMO/PSO Services: Marine Mammal Observer and Protected/Endangered Species Observer placement for offshore and nearshore projects. Includes permitting, compliance, and mitigation support for research and industry projects.
7. Alaska Seaweed Initiative: Applied research and data support for emerging seaweed industry in Alaska, including partnership with ReGeneration North on Kachemak Kelp Hub. Funded through Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Saltwater Inc. deploys professional fishery observers aboard commercial fishing and research vessels to collect catch, bycatch, and marine species data, and sells and operates proprietary electronic monitoring (EM) systems (the SWIM family) and the O2Review open-source data review platform for fisheries compliance and management. The company also designs, implements, and manages end-to-end EM programs for government agencies, industry groups, and conservation organizations globally.

Product overview

Saltwater provides an integrated portfolio of electronic monitoring (EM) systems and fishery observer services. The core EM offering centers on the Saltwater Intelligent Monitoring (SWIM) system family, which includes the Standard System, Mobile Boat System (MBS), Small Vessel System (SVS), and SWIM-Nano variants for different vessel sizes and use cases. These systems collect video imagery, GPS, and sensor data using O2 (OpenOceans) software, with data reviewed using the co-developed O2Review open-source platform. Saltwater's service offerings include EM program design and management, data review and database management, fishery observer services across multiple programs (North Pacific, Alaska Shellfish, West Coast Groundfish), MMO/PSO marine mammal observer services, and ProTech-Fisheries professional contracting for NOAA. The company also has an emerging Alaska Seaweed Initiative. The company holds WOSB certification and has provided observers since the first U.S. programs were established in the 1980s.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SWIM (Saltwater Intelligent Monitoring): Saltwater's onboard EM system that adapts to virtually any fishery and offers exceptional quality and accuracy with 24/7 support. Collects high quality video imagery, GPS and sensor data.
• O2Review
• SWIM-Nano
• SWIM-Standard
• SWIM-MBS (Mobile Boat System)
• SWIM-SVS (Small Vessel System)

Products and services

• Saltwater Intelligent Monitoring (SWIM) System Saltwater's proprietary onboard electronic monitoring system that collects high-quality video imagery, GPS, and sensor data to provide a clear record of fishing location, effort, and catch. All variants use O2 (OpenOceans) software and are designed, prototyped, and tested in-house for extreme marine environments.
• SWIM Standard System Standard onboard EM system with a compact rugged control box supporting 12V DC/AC power, encrypted removable hard drive storage, up to 8 IP67 digital cameras, GPS receiver, multiple digital/analog sensor inputs, and Wi-Fi/SIM connectivity.
• SWIM Mobile Boat System (MBS) Mobile, durable EM enclosure designed for transport between vessels, powered by vessel AC 120V, supporting two IP67 digital cameras with GPS, encrypted removable hard drive storage, wireless screen sharing, and an interactive user interface.
• SWIM Small Vessel System (SVS) Small, lightweight, weather-tight EM enclosure for small vessels, supported by 12V power with portable battery options, recording encrypted data onto a removable 512MB USB.
• SWIM-Nano Solar-powered mini-EM system designed for small boat fisheries, contained in waterproof housing that can be easily installed and removed before and after each trip, collecting digital imagery and GPS data for catch, bycatch, protected species interactions, and compliance assessment.
• O2Review Open-source platform for review of EM data, designed to be adaptable to different fisheries, management objectives, and EM systems. Used by NOAA-Fisheries, Mote Marine Labs, The Nature Conservancy, Ocean Foundation, Sernapesca Chile, and clients in Alaska, New Zealand, and South Korea.
• EM Program Design & Project Management Design, implementation, and ongoing management of EM programs ranging from 5-year 100+ vessel fleet-wide programs to 3-month machine learning projects, working with governments, fishermen, and non-profits across a wide range of fisheries and gear types.
• EM Data Review & Database Management Comprehensive data review services including reviewer training, data analysis, and audit services, with data management plans and databases that organize EM data for updating, analysis, and utilization, plus query execution and report generation in varied formats.
• Fishery Observer Services Recruitment, training, and deployment of a team of 100+ professional biologists who log approximately 15,000 sea days annually aboard commercial fishing boats, research vessels, industry platforms, and dockside, collecting data on fish, marine mammals, seabirds, and ocean conditions with 24/7 program management from Kodiak, Seattle, and San Francisco.
• MMO/PSO Services Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) and Protected/Endangered Species Observer (PSO/ESO) services for government and industry clients, providing permitting, compliance, and mitigation support for offshore and nearshore research and industry projects.
• ProTech-Fisheries Contract Services Professional and technical services provided to NOAA as a certified prime contractor in the ProTech-Fisheries domain, including marine science, bioacoustics, environmental data collection, NEPA consulting, ESA Section 7 consulting, ecosystem studies, fisheries data, IT/software development, electronic monitoring, and data analysis.
• Alaska Seaweed Initiative Applied research and data support for the emerging seaweed industry in Alaska, including partnership with ReGeneration North on the Kachemak Kelp Hub, focused on providing quality data to support sustainable growth of Alaska's seaweed sector and Blue Economy.

Quantifiable outcome

• Quality of service rated 'Exceptional' twice by NOAA-Fisheries (2018, 2020)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.

• Sustainable Fisheries PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Working with Sustainable Fisheries Partnership on testing EM approaches to track endangered smalltooth sawfish bycatch in Florida pink shrimp fishery.
• ReGeneration NorthflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnered to establish Kachemak Kelp Hub in Homer, Alaska - a proof-of-concept applied research project to reduce barriers to getting locally farmed kelp to market. Received Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant for this initiative.
• Coonamessett Farm FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Joint project testing voluntary cost-shared EM on sea scallop fishing vessels in Massachusetts and New Jersey.
• Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Contracted to develop computer vision algorithm under EDF's Smart Boat Initiative using data from West Coast groundfish trawl vessel.
• Talleys Group Ltd (New Zealand)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2017First EM deployment in Antarctic Toothfish fishery under CCAMLR. Custom EM system functional for 3+ years at sea.
• Chordata LLCcoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaborated to develop O2Review, an open-source platform for EM data review. Also partnered on observer safety communications platform for MSC Ocean Stewardship Fund grant.
• Sea State Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationCo-developed O2Review open-source EM review software platform.
• Mote Marine Laboratory / CFEMMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year partnership on EM projects in Gulf of Mexico reef fish fishery. Building regional EM service center. Collaboration since 2015 with 800+ participating vessels.
• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on EM testing for recreational for-hire vessels in New England - first U.S. project to use EM in recreational fleet.
• North Pacific Fishermen's Association (NPFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration since 2012 to design EM program for Alaska pot cod fleet. Led to regulatory change allowing fishermen to choose EM over onboard observers.
• Aquasolar IngenieroscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal Chilean partner providing EM systems and support services under Sernapesca national EM program.
• M&T ConsultorescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal Chilean partner providing EM systems and support services under Sernapesca national EM program.
• Pfleger Institute of Environmental Research (PIER)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTesting upgraded EM solutions for West Coast highly migratory species fisheries targeting tuna and swordfish.
• TNS Ltd (South Korea)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEM systems, technical support and data review services for vessels fishing in Southern Ocean.
• Alutiiq Pride MIminorOthersPartner organization listed on Saltwater's partners page.
• Conservación ConCiencia (Puerto Rico)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPuerto Rican NGO partner for small boat commercial fishery EM deployment.
• JPEC (New Zealand)minorOthersNew Zealand research partner listed on Saltwater's partners page.
• Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI)minorOthersPartner organization listed on Saltwater's partners page.
• Manson ConstructionminorOthersPartner organization listed on Saltwater's partners page.
• Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (ALFA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization listed on Saltwater's partners page.
• Salmon SistersminorOthersPartner organization listed on Saltwater's partners page.
• Peninsula Fishermen CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to design and execute EM program for Western Gulf of Alaska trawl fleet compliance monitoring.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Archipelago Marine Research: Canadian provider of at-sea fishery observer and electronic monitoring services. Closest direct competitor to Saltwater on the EM services side, with similar observer deployment, EM program design, and government agency customer base in North America.
• MRAG Americas: Fishery monitoring, observer provision and EM program implementation company with global reach, including NOAA contracts. Competes with Saltwater for fishery observer and EM contracts in the U.S. and abroad.
• Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC): Interstate commission that administers the West Coast groundfish observer program, directly overlapping with Saltwater's observer services and competing for NOAA-funded fishery monitoring contracts.
• Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI): NOAA ProTech-Fisheries prime contractor providing marine science and observer support services; competes with Saltwater for NOAA professional and technical services contracts.

Emerging players

• Coonamessett Farm Foundation (CFF): Nonprofit developing EM solutions for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery and partnering with Saltwater on EM pilots. Adjacent emerging competitor / collaborator with shared scallop and cost-shared EM expertise.
• Wildlife Computers: Manufacturer of electronic tags and sensors for marine animal monitoring, intersecting with Saltwater's protected species and electronic monitoring capabilities — particularly relevant to PSO/ESA Section 7 work.

Regional players

• AFMA (Australian Fisheries Management Authority) contracted EM providers: Australian EM providers competing alongside Saltwater for AFMA fishery EM trials. Comparable through the same vessel EM technology category but operating in a different geography than Saltwater's U.S. core.

Others

• Archipelago Technology Group / OpenOceans / Chordata LLC: OpenOceans (the O2 software platform used inside Saltwater's SWIM systems) and Chordata LLC, who co-developed O2Review with Saltwater. Ecosystem partner / enabling technology provider for Saltwater's EM stack.
• Environmental Defense Fund (EDF): Partner and customer of Saltwater via the Smart Boat Initiative; broader marine conservation organization that helps fund and shape EM adoption. Ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Innovasea (formerly Vemco / Airmar): Broader aquaculture and fish-tracking technology incumbent with electronic monitoring and sensor products for fisheries. Larger portfolio player that overlaps with Saltwater in fisheries-data technology.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Xx.com/saltwater_inc

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Saltwater