Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance

What Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance does

Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance (NAMA), doing business as NAMA and North American Marine Alliance, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1995 and incorporated in 1997, headquartered at 222 Main Street in Gloucester, Massachusetts. NAMA operates as a fisher-led advocacy network that organizes community-based fishermen, seafood workers, and food movement allies across North America around three pillars: resisting corporate domination of ocean resources, advancing racial equity in the marine sector, and ensuring food justice. Its work is structured around active campaigns (Block Corporate Salmon, Don't Cage Our Oceans, Catch Share Reform Coalition), educational publications (Sustainable Seafood Guide, FoodPrint of Wild Seafood report, Aquaculture Atlas), and backbone support for the Local Catch Network of values-based seafood businesses. The organization is governed by a board chaired by commercial fisherman Jason Jarvis and led by Coordinating Director Niaz Dorry (since 2008), with a staff of approximately 15-17 across program, organizing, communications, development, operations, and policy functions.

NAMA operates a movement-of-movements model rather than a commercial product model. Its revenue is derived exclusively from individual donations and foundation grants, with explicit refusal of corporate and government funding that could compromise independence. The organization explicitly caps its annual operating budget under $1 million and maintains a diversified base of foundation funders (Norman Foundation, 11th Hour Project, Grace Communications Foundation, Island Foundation, Broad Reach Fund, Nell Newman Foundation, The Whitehead Foundation, Food and Farm Communications Fund, among others). Strategic alliances include a 2018 shared-leadership model with the National Family Farm Coalition, partnerships with the World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP) and La Via Campesina for international fisher organizing, and market-facing collaborations with Healthcare Without Harm, Real Food Challenge, Slow Fish, and One Fish Foundation to channel purchasing power toward community-based fisheries.

Customer-like constituents span three primary personas: community-based fishermen and fishing families (the primary segment), fishworkers and seafood workers along the supply chain, and broader food eaters/consumers. Institutional outreach targets include healthcare systems (via Healthcare Without Harm), universities (via Real Food Challenge, targeting >$80M in annual institutional purchasing power), and K-12 schools (via One Fish Foundation). Distribution is mission-aligned rather than commercial: campaigns, petitions, coalition letters (e.g., a 2022 letter signed by 9 million individuals and 250,000 businesses opposing industrial aquaculture), publications, events (Slow Fish, Farm Aid, America the Bountiful Tour), and the Local Catch Network of Community Supported Fisheries form the delivery infrastructure.

Name

Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance

Legal name

Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance

Website

https://namanet.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance (NAMA) is a 501(c)(3) fisher-led non-profit founded in 1995 that organizes North American fishing communities, seafood workers, and food-justice allies around campaigns against corporate ocean domination, racial equity in marine sectors, and equitable access to sustainable seafood.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine conservation and fishing community advocacy

NAICS

Other Marine Fishing (114119), Aquaculture (11251)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Fishing, Hunting And Trapping (900)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI), Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI)

Keywords

• Marine conservation advocacy
• Sustainable fisheries support
• Small-scale fishing communities
• Fisheries policy reform
• Community-supported fisheries

Headquarters

HQ city

Gloucester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants: NAMA receives funding from carefully selected foundations that align with their policies. They do not take funding from sources that can limit what they can do, legitimize policies they don't agree with, or shut the door on their ability to organize with family fishermen.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance is a fisher-led nonprofit advocacy organization that convenes small and community-based fishermen, seafood workers, and allies to resist corporate and industrial control of ocean resources and to advance community-based fisheries. Its work is delivered through advocacy campaigns (Block Corporate Salmon, Don't Cage Our Oceans, Catch Share Reform Coalition), backbone support to the Local Catch Network of values-based seafood businesses, and educational publications such as the Sustainable Seafood Guide and the FoodPrint of Wild Seafood report.

Product overview

NAMA is a non-profit fishermen-led advocacy organization, not a commercial product company. Its offerings consist of advocacy campaigns, educational publications, and network programs rather than commercial products or services. The organization provides publications such as the Sustainable Seafood Guide and FoodPrint of Wild Seafood report; runs campaigns including Block Corporate Salmon, Don't Cage Our Oceans, and the Catch Share Reform Coalition; and provides backbone support to the Local Catch Network which connects values-based seafood businesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Don't Cage Our Oceans (DCO2): Campaign coalition dedicated to stopping the development of offshore fish farms in the United States.
• Local Catch Network
• Fish Locally Collaborative (FLC)
• Catch Share Reform Coalition

Products and services

• Sustainable Seafood Guide High-level overview guide empowering seafood consumers to make sustainable purchasing decisions, including how to buy from local fishermen, connect to the Local Catch Network, and avoid deceptive labeling; distributed in partnership with Healthcare Without Harm, Real Food Challenge, and Slow Fish.
• FoodPrint of Wild Seafood Report Report produced in partnership with FoodPrint that analyzes the environmental impact of wild seafood, examining fishing practices, supply chains, and sustainability considerations for consumers and policymakers.
• Block Corporate Salmon Campaign Black, Indigenous, and people of color-led campaign dedicated to stopping the release of genetically engineered salmon and raising awareness about corporate control of the seafood supply.
• Don't Cage Our Oceans Campaign (DCO2) Campaign coalition opposing the development of offshore fish farms in U.S. federal waters, advocating for marine ecosystem protection and against industrial aquaculture expansion; led a coalition letter signed by 9 million individuals and 250,000 businesses.
• Catch Share Reform Coalition Advocacy coalition working to reform catch share programs that have led to consolidation of fishing rights, fighting against privatization of ocean resources and representing community-based fishermen; coordinated a joint letter signed by over 400 organizations opposing the MARA Act.
• Local Catch Network Values-based seafood business network backbone-supported by NAMA, connecting Community Supported Fisheries (CSFs), fish markets, and institutional purchasers with sustainable local seafood providers across North America and supporting Community Supported Fisheries, fish to farmers markets, and institutional purchasing models.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400 organizations signed joint letter urging Congress to reject MARA Act
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2018NAMA joined NFFC as its first non-farming member. Innovative shared-leadership model adopted May 1, 2018, putting NAMA's Coordinating Director in role serving both organizations. NFFC represents family farmers fighting for fair markets and against corporate consolidation.
• Food Solutions New EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAMA formally became a member in December 2012. Food Solutions New England has helped NAMA understand the importance of racial equity commitment, putting them and allies through equity training for nearly a decade.
• Local Catch NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFor over a decade NAMA has provided backbone support to what has become the primary hub of values-based seafood businesses throughout North America. Supports Community Supported Fisheries, fish to farmers markets, institutional purchasing, and alternative seafood business models.
• Don't Cage Our Oceans (DCO2)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAMA campaign coalition opposing industrial aquaculture and offshore fish farming. Organized letter to Biden Administration with 9 million individuals and 250,000 businesses urging revocation of federal order to fast-track industrial aquaculture.
• La Via CampesinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal peasant movement for food sovereignty. NAMA involved since 2012 delegation at La Via Campesina. Aligns with NAMA's values around food sovereignty and liberation.
• US Food Sovereignty AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAMA involved since 2013. At 2013 USFSA Assembly, NAMA put out terms 'ocean grabs' and 'fish grabs' at combined workshop.
• World Forum of Fisher People (WFFP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational fisher people's organization. NAMA supports WFFP's General Assembly and political agendas for global fisher movements through international organizing staff.
• Health Care Without HarmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to create Guide for Sustainable Seafood Purchasing used to shift purchasing power of healthcare institutions around the country.
• Real Food ChallengeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWorks to shift $80M+ of institutional food purchasing power toward 'real food' annually through values-based seafood purchasing.
• Slow Fish / Slow Food USAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNAMA has partnered with Slow Fish North America campaign and network. Hosted Slow Fish 2016 in New Orleans and Slow Fish 2021 virtual gathering. Slow Fish works with chefs and food influencers.
• One Fish FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWorks to educate K-12 schools and beyond about sustainable fisheries and seafood. Developed '7C's of Sustainable Seafood' guide in partnership with NAMA.
• Alaska Marine Conservation CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlaska-based marine conservation organization working on sustainable fisheries issues.
• Center for Food SafetyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental law organization that secured victory upholding Washington's ban on commercial net pen fish farming.
• Climate Justice AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAMA involved with this coalition of frontline communities and organizations building a just transition.
• 1% For the PlanetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNAMA became a partner in August 2012, providing access to environmental giving programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Center for Food Safety: Environmental law and advocacy organization working on food system issues including aquaculture. Active NAMA coalition partner (Don't Cage Our Oceans), with directly comparable policy campaigns on GE salmon and industrial aquaculture opposition.
• Slow Food USA: National chapter of the global Slow Food movement, with which NAMA partners closely on Slow Fish campaigns and seafood values-based purchasing. Comparable nonprofit advocacy model centered on sustainable, equitable food systems.
• Food & Water Watch: National advocacy nonprofit focused on food system and water/fisheries policy. Directly comparable in mission and tactics, and several NAMA staff (Legislative Director James Mitchell, Aquaculture Campaign Director Andrianna Natsoulas) previously worked at Food & Water Watch.
• Alaska Marine Conservation Council: Alaska-based marine conservation nonprofit working on sustainable fisheries and community-based fishing issues. A direct peer and active NAMA partner, sharing focus on small-scale commercial fishermen and opposition to industrial consolidation of ocean resources.
• National Family Farm Coalition: Coalition of family farmer organizations; shares a formal shared-leadership model with NAMA since May 2018. Most closely aligned peer organization given direct structural integration, joint campaigns (USDA Office of Seafood), and shared food sovereignty framing.

Broad incumbents

• Oceana: Largest international ocean conservation advocacy organization, with significantly greater budget and policy staff. Operates in the same fisheries and aquaculture policy arena as NAMA but at a vastly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Greenpeace USA: Major environmental advocacy organization with oceans campaigns and previous employer of several NAMA leaders (Niaz Dorry, James Mitchell). Comparable grassroots campaign tactics but vastly larger scale and broader issue portfolio.
• Environmental Defense Fund: Major environmental advocacy organization with substantial oceans program covering fisheries management, aquaculture, and marine ecosystem policy. Competes for similar foundation funding and policy influence on federal fisheries regulation.

Others

• Climate Justice Alliance: Coalition of frontline communities and organizations working on just transition; NAMA is a member. Adjacent rather than directly comparable, but shares an intersectional analysis spanning climate, racial justice, and labor — relevant for understanding NAMA's broader coalition positioning.

Emerging players

• World Forum of Fisher People: International fisher people's movement organization that NAMA actively supports through international organizing staff. Comparable in mission (small-scale fisher rights and food sovereignty) but functions as a global coalition rather than a single advocacy nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NAMA_NET
• Facebookfacebook.com/NorthAmericanMarineAlliance
• Instagraminstagram.com/nama_net

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles26 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 Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance