Perry Institute for Marine Science

What Perry Institute for Marine Science does

Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS) is a 501(c)(3) marine conservation non-profit founded in 1970, with an affiliated Bahamian entity registered in 1971. Headquartered in Vermont with operational base in Nassau, The Bahamas, PIMS conducts coral reef restoration, fisheries research, marine protected area work, and community education programs across the Caribbean and western Atlantic. Its flagship platform is the Reef Rescue Network — a community-led alliance of 41 coral nurseries across 7 countries and 14 islands using standardized PIMS-developed protocols for coral fragmentation, nursery management, and outplanting. The organization reports 15,000+ corals planted, 800 acres of mangroves protected or restored, and 100+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, serving recreational divers, local Bahamian communities, corporate conservation partners, conservation-minded individuals, and government/NGO collaborators.

PIMS's technology portfolio includes pioneering microbiome work (the ARMS to Arks method published in One Earth, transplanting reef microbial communities onto suspended Coral Ark structures), micro-fragmentation techniques for accelerating growth of endangered massive hard corals, open-water coral tree nurseries (PVC structures hosting 5-10 fragments each, hundreds per nursery), 3D photogrammetry for reef monitoring using Agisoft Metashape, and Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) treatment methods including antibiotic paste application and disease-break firebreak techniques using angle grinders, coordinated through the Bahamas SCTLD Task Force.

Revenue is generated through a diversified non-profit model combining individual and foundation donations (one-time and Coral Champion monthly tiered giving at $10-$100/month), corporate sponsorships from Disney Conservation Fund, Salesforce, MSC Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, Builders Vision, Moore Bahamas Foundation, Cordap and others, fee-based immersive expeditions ($2,850-$4,620 per person for week-long trips to Andros, Abaco, and Forfar Field Station), Nassau-based field trips ($650-$3,250), reef-safe merchandise, and grants including NSF support for the ARMS Resilience Madagascar project.

Name

Perry Institute for Marine Science

Legal name

Perry Institute for Marine Science

Website

https://perryinstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Perry Institute for Marine Science is a 501(c)(3) marine conservation non-profit founded in 1970 that restores coral reefs across 41 nurseries in 7 Caribbean countries, conducts published peer-reviewed research, and generates revenue from expeditions, donations, and corporate sponsors like Disney, Salesforce, and MSC Foundation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Services

NAICS

Other Aquaculture (112519), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Aquaculture (11251)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE), Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications) (THAAAIAA), Diving Experiences (Scuba Dives, Dive Trips, PADI/SSI Courses) (THAJAJAD), Reef, Island & Coastal Ecotours (mangroves, lagoons, sea caves) (THAAAIAE)

Keywords

• Coral reef restoration
• Marine conservation research
• Coral nursery propagation
• Marine science education
• Fisheries conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Nassau

HQ country

Bahamas

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: PIMS operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization relying heavily on donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors. Donation tiers include specific conservation outcomes: $25 plants one coral fragment, $100 builds a nursery tree hosting up to 50 corals, $250 implants a Nassau grouper transmitter, and $1,000 funds a complete coral reef health assessment.
2. Coral Restoration Expeditions: Week-long immersive coral restoration expeditions combining hands-on conservation work with adventure diving. Expeditions include PADI certifications, all-inclusive accommodation, and scientific mentorship. Pricing ranges from $2,850 to $4,620 per person depending on location and duration.
3. Reef Rescue Field Trips: Half-day and full-day coral restoration experiences for residents, families, and visitors in Nassau. No dive certification required for most programs. Full group charters available for up to five guests at $3,250.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partnerships providing cause marketing, employee engagement opportunities, and research collaboration. Sponsors include major brands like Disney Conservation Fund, Salesforce, The Nature Conservancy, and various foundations.
5. Merchandise Sales: The Coral is Calling merchandise collection including hoodies, hats, rash guards, and water bottles. Proceeds directly support coral restoration efforts.
6. Monthly Giving Program: Coral Champion monthly donor program with tiers including $10/month (one coral monthly), $25/month (nursery maintenance), $50/month (diver certification), and $100/month (disease treatment day).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Perry Institute for Marine Science conducts coral reef restoration, marine science research, and conservation education through the Reef Rescue Network spanning 41 coral nurseries across 7 countries and 14 islands in the Caribbean. The organization sells multi-day coral restoration expeditions, PADI conservation certifications, community training, and educational programs while operating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit funded primarily by donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

Perry Institute for Marine Science operates as a marine conservation non-profit offering a portfolio of coral restoration programs, research initiatives, and educational experiences. The core offering is the Reef Rescue Network, an alliance spanning 41 coral nurseries across 7 countries, which provides standardized coral restoration protocols and community training. Supporting this are coral restoration expeditions (Small Hope Bay, Forfar Field Station, Green Turtle Cay) that combine hands-on conservation with PADI certifications. The institute also conducts scientific research through programs including ARMS to Arks microbiome transplantation, fisheries research, and SCTLD response. Educational products include the Rising Tides Youth Program, PADI conservation courses, webinars, and the Seafood Nation documentary. All offerings interconnect through the Reef Rescue Network's shared protocols, creating a unified marine conservation ecosystem spanning research, restoration, education, and community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Reef Rescue Network A collaborative alliance of dive operators, non-profits, and businesses invested in coral restoration spanning 41 coral nurseries across 7 countries and 14 islands, providing standardized protocols for coral fragmentation, nursery management, and outplanting.
• Small Hope Bay Expedition Seven-night all-inclusive coral restoration expedition at Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros Island, Bahamas, including 14 dives, coral outplanting, nursery maintenance, and PADI Reef Rescue Diver and Shark Conservation certifications. Priced at $4,620 USD per person.
• Forfar Field Station Expeditions Multi-day coral restoration expeditions at Forfar Field Station on North Andros, Bahamas. Spring 2027 (April 3-10) and Winter 2027 (December 4-11) sessions available. Priced from $2,850 USD per person.
• Green Turtle Cay Expedition Seven-night coral restoration expedition at Green Turtle Cay, Abaco, Bahamas, including coral nursery diving and restoration work. Priced at $2,999 USD. Dates: April 17-24, 2027.
• Reef Rescue Field Trips (Nassau) Half-day and full-day coral restoration programs based in Nassau, Bahamas, operating from Bluequest coral nursery at Delaporte Beach. No dive certification required. Programs start at $650 per person, with full group charters available at $3,250 for up to five guests.
• PADI Conservation IDC (Instructor Development Course) Conservation-focused PADI Instructor Development Course in the Bahamas, training dive professionals in coral restoration and conservation methodologies.
• Rising Tides Youth Program Youth education program providing hands-on marine science training to local Bahamian students, including dive training, real coral reef data collection, and skills development for ocean protection.
• Fisheries Research & Conservation Program Research program focused on fish population studies, Nassau grouper tracking, and sustainable seafood guidance for the Bahamas.
• SCTLD Reporting & Response Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease monitoring, reporting, and treatment response program, including training in antibiotic treatment methods, disease-break techniques using angle grinders, and community reporting tools.
• Coral Champion Monthly Giving Program Subscription-based monthly giving program with tiers including $10/month (one coral monthly), $25/month (nursery maintenance), $50/month (diver certification), and $100/month (disease treatment day).
• Coral is Calling Merchandise Collection E-commerce merchandise collection including hoodies, hats, rash guards, and water bottles with 100% of proceeds supporting coral restoration. Available through the Reef Rescue Network Shopify store.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,000+ corals planted across Caribbean through restoration programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MSC FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Partnership to accelerate coral reef recovery at Ocean Cay in the Bahamas as part of the Super Coral Reefs Programme. PIMS scientists integrate coral fragments including staghorn and fused staghorn varieties into offshore coral trees. The initiative uses land-based Bio Labs and coral tree technology to breed heat-resistant Super Corals for Caribbean reef restoration.
• Small Hope Bay LodgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll-inclusive eco-lodge partner hosting PIMS coral restoration expeditions on Andros Island. Established 1960, located on the Andros Barrier Reef (3rd largest in the world). Lodge provides accommodation, dive operations, and logistics for week-long restoration expeditions.
• Bluequest BahamascoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReef Rescue Network partner operating coral nursery at Delaporte Beach in Nassau. Offers eco-snorkel tours and hands-on coral restoration experiences. Won UN Tourism Bahamas Sustainable Islands Challenge Ocean and Marine Conservation Award in May 2026.
• Stream2SeaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides reef-safe sunscreen products to expedition participants. Partnership includes 10% discount for PIMS supporters and 20% of proceeds return to the organization. Only sunscreen brand trusted on PIMS expeditions.
• Shedd AquariumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration on coral reef conservation including thermal tolerance studies. Dr. Ross Cunning from Shedd collaborated on published research documenting thermally tolerant coral reefs in Great Abaco.
• SECORE InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in coral reef conservation research, including studies on coral adaptation to warming ocean waters and restoration techniques.
• University of South FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner collaborating on coral reef studies including thermal tolerance research in The Bahamas.
• Middlebury CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner contributing to coral reef research expeditions and conservation studies in The Bahamas.
• Nova Southeastern UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining collaboration on Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) treatment methods. PIMS scientists trained on antibiotic paste application and disease-break techniques using amoxicillin compounds.
• Atlantis Blue Project FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor funding partner supporting coral nursery at Atlantis Bahamas resort. Nursery grows Finger Coral and critically endangered Staghorn Coral with 281 fragments producing 500+ corals annually for outplanting.
• Bahamas National TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner for SCTLD monitoring and response efforts. Collaboration on reef assessment surveys and community engagement for marine conservation in national parks and marine reserves.
• Bonefish & Tarpon TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization focused on bonefish and tarpon research, collaborating on fisheries research in The Bahamas.
• HarvardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research collaborator on ARMS to Arks coral reef microbiome restoration study published in One Earth journal.
• Scripps Institution of OceanographycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research collaborator on ARMS to Arks coral reef microbiome restoration study.
• San Diego State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner collaborating on ARMS to Arks coral reef microbiome restoration research and video production.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SECORE International: Nonprofit specializing in sexual coral reproduction and restoration science. Directly comparable as PIMS's listed research collaborator; both focus on innovative coral propagation techniques and run educational/training programs for restoration practitioners.
• Reef Check Foundation: Global volunteer reef monitoring network training citizen scientists to survey reefs. Comparable to PIMS's community-led Reef Rescue Network model and its emphasis on standardized monitoring protocols and volunteer engagement in reef conservation.
• Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium: Marine research institution conducting coral restoration, reef ecology research, and aquaculture-based coral breeding. Comparable as a science-driven nonprofit combining peer-reviewed research with hands-on reef restoration and education.
• Coral Restoration Foundation: Largest coral restoration nonprofit in the world, based in Florida Keys. Directly comparable as a coral-focused nonprofit combining nursery operations, research, citizen-science dives, and educational programs — overlapping with PIMS's Reef Rescue Network model.

Broad incumbents

• Ocean Conservancy: Major US-based ocean conservation nonprofit. Competes with PIMS for donor dollars and policy influence in the marine conservation space, but with a much broader ocean-health portfolio rather than a coral-restoration focus.
• The Nature Conservancy: One of the world's largest environmental nonprofits, a current PIMS funder. Comparable as a marine conservation funder and operator of reef and coastal ecosystem programs, but at vastly larger scale and with broader mandate beyond coral.
• MSC Foundation: MSC Group's philanthropic foundation and a PIMS strategic partner on the Super Coral Reefs Programme at Ocean Cay. Comparable as a funder/operator of large-scale marine restoration projects, but with much larger corporate balance sheet and brand reach.

Regional players

• Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative: Mesoamerican Reef-focused multi-stakeholder alliance. Comparable as a regional coral reef conservation coordinator working with community partners, but with a defined geographic mandate across the Mesoamerican Reef rather than the broader Caribbean/Madagascar reach of PIMS.

Emerging players

• Project AWARE Foundation: PADI-affiliated dive conservation nonprofit. Comparable in leveraging the PADI dive community for marine conservation action, but focused on policy advocacy and diver-led cleanups rather than active coral restoration science.
• Shedd Aquarium: Major public aquarium with active coral research program, including thermal tolerance studies (Dr. Ross Cunning, PIMS's published research collaborator). Comparable as a science institution running coral restoration and education programs, but anchored to a single aquarium facility.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzXmvovLen5xNz6KdKTrufQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/perryinstituteformarinescience
• Instagraminstagram.com/perryinstituteformarinescience
• Xx.com/perryinstitute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Perry Institute for Marine Science