What Fish Bio does

FISHBIO is a fisheries and environmental consulting firm founded in 2006 and headquartered in Oakdale, California. The company delivers project-based professional services across five core practice areas: Research (fish life-history, predator-prey interactions, limiting factor analyses), Monitoring (long-term fisheries data collection, permitting compliance, fish rescues, water quality), Conservation (habitat restoration, threatened species recovery, Fish Conservation Zone establishment), Fabrication (custom equipment from its in-house FABLAB machine shop, including PIT tag antennas, fish traps, counting weirs, and camera systems), and Communication (video production, scientific publications, training, and outreach). The firm operates three offices across Oakdale, California; Chico, California; and Vientiane, Laos, supporting projects throughout the United States, Canada, the Lower Mekong Basin (Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand), and Costa Rica.

Underlying technology combines traditional fisheries science with specialized proprietary equipment, including the largest commercial PIT tag antennas in the world (12 and 14 feet tall, achieving 99% detection efficiency in hydroelectric diversion tunnels), the Smolt Spy video monitoring system, custom underwater camera systems with infrared vision and motion detection, ARIS/DIDSON sonar, Riverwatcher fish counters, Simsonar AI-powered 3D cameras, and electrofishing/trapping equipment. A 1,000-square-foot fish lab with 20+ tanks totaling 5,000 gallons supports equipment testing, physiology studies, and tag retention research. Multi-decadal datasets from California's Central Valley monitoring programs constitute a significant proprietary asset.

FISHBIO generates revenue through project-based consulting engagements with government agencies (federal: NOAA Fisheries, USFWS; state and regional water districts), private sector clients (notably PG&E for hydropower compliance monitoring), and international NGOs (Wildlife Conservation Society, CEPF-funded programs). The firm is founder-owned and led by President Doug Demko, employs approximately 24 staff, and self-funds operations with no disclosed outside investment. The go-to-market is direct sales-led, with client acquisition driven by professional reputation, scientific credibility, and demonstrated expertise in regulatory permitting and endangered species compliance.

Name

Fish Bio

Legal name

FISHBIO

Website

https://fishbio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FISHBIO is a fisheries and environmental consulting firm founded in 2006 that provides research, monitoring, conservation, fabrication, and communication services to government agencies, utilities, and NGOs across North America and Southeast Asia, with offices in California and Laos.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental & Fisheries Consulting Services

NAICS

Animal Production and Aquaculture (112)

SIC

Fishing, Hunting And Trapping (900)

akta.pro primary industry

Aquaculture Health, Biosecurity & Veterinary Services (AFAEAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE), Aquaculture & Fish Health Services (AFAEANAE)

Keywords

• Fisheries consulting services
• Fish population monitoring
• Habitat conservation services
• Environmental impact assessment
• Fish tracking technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Fisheries Consulting Services: Professional consulting services providing fisheries research, monitoring, and conservation. Services include fish life-history studies, predator-prey interactions, habitat surveys, regulatory permitting support, restoration implementation, and custom equipment fabrication. Revenue is generated through project-based consulting engagements with government agencies, private companies, and NGOs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

FISHBIO provides fisheries and environmental consulting services organized around five core offerings: Research (fish life-history, predator-prey, laboratory studies), Monitoring (long-term fisheries data collection, permitting support, compliance), Conservation (habitat restoration, habitat conservation plans, Fish Conservation Zones), Fabrication (custom equipment built in-house including PIT tag antennas, fish traps, weirs, and camera systems), and Communication (science communication, video, photography, reports, training). The company serves government agencies, water and energy utilities, developers, and conservation NGOs across North America and Southeast Asia.

Product overview

FISHBIO is a fisheries and environmental consulting company offering a suite of professional services organized around five core offerings: Research, Monitoring, Conservation, Fabrication, and Communication. Their portfolio includes specialized technology products for fish tracking (acoustic tags, PIT tags, custom antennas), imaging (ARIS/DIDSON sonar, Riverwatcher, Smolt Spy camera system, Simsonar FishCounter), trapping (fyke traps, rotary screw traps, fish weirs, electrofishing), and molecular analysis (eDNA, genetic species identification, population genetics). Supporting these, they operate an in-house fish lab facility with 20 tanks totaling 5,000 gallons for equipment testing and physiology studies. They also produce educational content including a weekly Fish Report newsletter, scientific publications, and multimedia materials. The company operates from offices in Chico and Oakdale, California, and Vientiane, Laos, serving clients across North America and Southeast Asia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Research Services Fisheries research studies including fish life history, predator-prey interactions, limiting factor analyses, trophic dynamics, fish aging, tag testing, and laboratory studies conducted in the firm's 20-tank fish lab facility. Designed for government agencies, utilities, and conservation organizations needing rigorous scientific investigation.
• Monitoring Services Long-term environmental and fisheries data collection including life-cycle monitoring, permitting support and compliance, fish rescues, and water quality monitoring across California's Central Valley. Includes PIT tag monitoring, electrofishing surveys, snorkel surveys, and benthic macroinvertebrate monitoring for utility and government clients.
• Conservation Services Conservation actions for threatened fishes including habitat restoration, habitat surveys, habitat conservation plans, and establishment of Fish Conservation Zones as part of community-based fisheries management. Served both domestic clients and international conservation programs in Southeast Asia and Central America.
• Fabrication Services Custom equipment fabrication and installation from the firm's FABLAB machine shop, including photo/video/infrared camera systems, PIT tag antennas, fish traps, counting weirs, and other fish passage and screening equipment. Serves internal project needs and external clients requiring specialized monitoring infrastructure.
• Communication Services Science communication services including video production, photography, reports, workshops and trainings, and outreach and education programs for diverse audiences domestically and internationally. Underpins thought leadership and stakeholder engagement for fisheries projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% detection efficiency achieved with large PIT tag antenna arrays in hydroelectric diversion tunnels
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Spring Rivers Ecological SciencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partnership on Feather River compliance monitoring. FISHBIO and Spring Rivers conducted electrofishing and snorkel surveys of the fish community as well as monitoring of benthic macroinvertebrates on behalf of PG&E.
• Wonders of the MekongminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded environmental DNA sampling project in Cambodia to conduct eDNA sampling at landscape scale across the lower Mekong River and its tributaries in partnership with local NGO Young Eco (YEA).
• Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant recipient for multiple projects including Fish Conservation Zone establishment in Lao PDR and Costa Rica, and research on the endangered wolf barb in Laos.
• Wildlife Conservation SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead fisheries conservation activities for Wildlife Conservation Society's Xe Champhone Landscape program in Laos, the largest wetland ecosystem in the country.
• Young Eco (YEA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal NGO partner in Cambodia for environmental DNA surveys of Cambodian fish diversity project funded by Wonders of the Mekong.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cramer Fish Sciences: Cramer Fish Sciences is a U.S.-based fisheries science and environmental consulting firm specializing in fish population monitoring, hydropower compliance, and aquatic ecology — directly comparable to FISHBIO's core research, monitoring, and conservation services.
• Stillwater Sciences: Stillwater Sciences is a California-based ecological consulting firm focused on riverine and fisheries science, habitat restoration, and fish passage — closely overlapping with FISHBIO's Central Valley fisheries monitoring, habitat assessment, and restoration practice.
• R2 Resource Consultants: R2 Resource Consultants provides fisheries, hydrology, and aquatic ecology services to hydropower, water supply, and resource-management clients, directly mirroring FISHBIO's project-based fisheries consulting model and utility client base.
• Normandeau Associates: Normandeau Associates is an environmental and biological consulting firm offering fisheries assessments, avian/wildlife studies, and regulatory permitting support — a close analog to FISHBIO's fisheries research and Section 10 permitting work.
• Anchor QEA: Anchor QEA is an environmental engineering and science firm providing water resources, ecosystem restoration, and fisheries consulting — directly comparable to FISHBIO's habitat restoration and fisheries monitoring services.
• Kleinschmidt Associates: Kleinschmidt specializes in hydropower licensing, fisheries, and aquatic resource consulting for utilities and government agencies — directly overlapping with FISHBIO's hydropower compliance and PIT tag tracking work for PG&E and similar clients.
• Environmental Science Associates (ESA): ESA is a California-headquartered environmental consulting firm providing biological resources, regulatory permitting, and habitat restoration services — comparable to FISHBIO's permitting, ESA-related, and conservation practice.
• H. T. Harvey & Associates: H. T. Harvey & Associates is a California-based ecological consulting firm providing fisheries, wildlife, and habitat restoration expertise for utilities and agencies — directly comparable in service mix and regional client base to FISHBIO.

Broad incumbents

• ICF International: ICF is a large global consulting firm with significant environmental, water resources, and energy practice areas that overlap with FISHBIO's hydropower and regulatory compliance work, but at much greater scale and breadth.
• AECOM: AECOM is a global engineering and environmental services firm with substantial fisheries, water, and ecosystem restoration practices — competing with FISHBIO on large utility and infrastructure RFPs but at far greater scale and as part of a broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/fishbiology
• Xx.com/Fishbiology
• Facebookfacebook.com/FISHBIO

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Fish Bio