Marine Conservation Science Institute MCSI

What Marine Conservation Science Institute MCSI does

Marine Conservation Science Institute (MCSI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research organization headquartered in Fallbrook, California, founded in 1999, that conducts field-based marine research on sharks and billfish. Its primary research site is Guadalupe Island, Mexico, where it has built a photo-identification database of 454 individual white sharks using natural markings — a dataset that has accumulated continuously for over two decades and supports both peer-reviewed publications and consumer-facing products. The institute's technical toolkit includes SPOT (Smart Position and Temperature) satellite popup tags, with more than 450 deployed on marlin globally, plus a network of 96 acoustic receivers in the Channel Islands for fine-scale movement tracking.

MCSI operates four core research programs: white shark research centered on Guadalupe Island, the Offield Center for Billfish Studies, Channel Islands Acoustic Tracking, and tiger shark research. It also operates the Expedition White Shark mobile application, described as the world's first real-time white shark tracking app, which monetizes a portion of the photo-ID dataset for public use. The institute's research outputs have been featured in National Geographic Channel's SharkFest 2022 documentary "Counting Jaws," and in 2012 it published the photographic reference work "Global Perspectives on the Biology and Life History of the White Shark," which won the MacGillivray Freeman Award.

MCSI's revenue model blends non-profit and commercial elements: individual donations, a tiered shark sponsorship program ($25–$15,000), branded merchandise ($15–$80), luxury cage-diving expeditions priced at $4,800 per participant, mobile app sales, and grants from foundations including the Offield Family Foundation, George T. Pfleger Foundation, and Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. Scientific partners include the IGFA, VIMS, NMFS, PIER, the Billfish Foundation, and Fiji Fisheries, with media partners spanning National Geographic Channel and the Rare Hawaiian Honey Company. The institute is led by Dr. Michael L. Domeier (President and Executive Director) and Nicole Nasby Lucas (Research Biologist).

Name

Marine Conservation Science Institute MCSI

Legal name

Marine Conservation Science Institute

Website

https://marinecsi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Marine Conservation Science Institute (MCSI) is a Fallbrook, CA-based 501(c)(3) research non-profit conducting field studies on white sharks, billfish, and tiger sharks via satellite tagging, photo-identification, and acoustic telemetry, serving the scientific and conservation donor community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Research

akta.pro primary industry

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH), Marine Wildlife & Coastal Nature Tours (Whale/Dolphin Watching, Sea Kayaking) (THAAAEAD)

Keywords

• Marine conservation research
• Shark satellite tagging
• Billfish population studies
• Acoustic fish tracking
• Wildlife telemetry research

Headquarters

HQ city

Fallbrook

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: MCSI is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that relies on donations from the public to support white shark research and conservation efforts. Donations are tax-deductible.
2. Shark Sponsorship Program: Public can sponsor individual sharks at various levels: Junior ($25), Intermediate ($50), Senior ($100), Executive ($1,000), and Adventure ($15,000 for expedition participation). Includes certificates, photos, and tracking data.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts ($15-$35), hooded sweatshirts, calendars ($15), and photo-ID books ($80). Also partnership with Rare Hawaiian Honey Company for co-branded products.
4. Expedition and Cage Diving Trips: Luxury cage diving expeditions aboard 132 ft ships with costs starting at $4,800 per person (tax deductible). Provides experience with Guadalupe Island white sharks.
5. Mobile App Sales: Expedition White Shark app available on iTunes and Google Play with proceeds going directly back to research activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

MCSI is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization conducting marine conservation research centered on white sharks at Guadalupe Island, Mexico and billfish species globally. The institute deploys proprietary satellite SPOT tags, pop-up satellite tags, acoustic telemetry, and archival tags on marine animals, and operates the world's first real-time white shark tracking mobile app (Expedition White Shark). Research is funded through individual donations, shark sponsorship tiers, branded merchandise, photo-ID books, calendars, and luxury cage diving expeditions.

Product overview

Marine Conservation Science Institute (MCSI) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization offering a portfolio of marine research products and services centered on white shark conservation. The core product is the Expedition White Shark mobile app (world's first real-time white shark tracking app) combined with an extensive satellite tagging and photo-identification research program. Supporting offerings include the Sponsor a Shark donation program, the Photo-ID Book cataloging 454 identified sharks, the Offield Center for Billfish Studies (largest billfish program worldwide), scientific publications, and branded merchandise (t-shirts, calendars). MCSI's research spans white sharks, billfish, tiger sharks, bluefin tuna, and coastal species using multiple tagging technologies including SPOT tags, pop-up satellite tags, acoustic telemetry, and archival tags.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Expedition White Shark: A mobile application that allows users to track satellite-tagged great white sharks in real time, view shark profiles, and learn about shark biology and conservation.

Products and services

• Expedition White Shark Mobile App World's first real-time white shark tracking mobile app for iOS and Android, displaying live tracking data from satellite-tagged sharks, shark profiles, photo galleries, and educational content. Proceeds support MCSI research.
• Sponsor a Shark Program Tiered shark sponsorship program for individual supporters: Junior ($25) includes photo and certificate; Intermediate ($50) adds MCSI shark sticker; Senior ($100) adds calendar; Executive ($1,000) includes naming rights and framed photo; Adventure ($15,000) includes participation in scientific expedition. Supports white shark research and conservation.
• Guadalupe Island White Shark Photo-ID Book Field guide featuring color photos of identified white sharks from the Guadalupe Island photo-ID database. The 2023 edition contains 454 identified sharks, spiral bound with water-resistant paper. Sold to support white shark research and conservation.
• Annual White Shark Calendar 12-month calendar (e.g., 2026 edition) featuring photos of famous Guadalupe Island white sharks including Bruce, Scarboard, Shredder, and Lucy. Proceeds support MCSI research and conservation efforts.
• MCSI T-shirts, Hoodies and Merchandise Branded apparel including MCSI shark t-shirts, 'I Love Lucy' t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, and Rare Hawaiian Great White Honey co-branded merchandise. T-shirts priced at $15-$35; hooded sweatshirts at $35-$70. Free global shipping. Proceeds support shark research.
• Global Perspectives on the Biology and Life History of the White Shark Peer-reviewed 576-page scientific book (CRC Press, 2012) on white shark biology and life history, inspired by the International White Shark Symposium 2010 and incorporating contemporary research findings by MCSI researchers.
• Guadalupe Island Cage Diving Expedition Luxury multi-day cage diving expedition to Guadalupe Island, Mexico, aboard a 132-foot research vessel to observe adult white sharks. Pricing starts at $4,800 per person (double occupancy), tax-deductible, with limited capacity. Includes onboard amenities (bathrooms, showers, wifi, hot tub).

Quantifiable outcome

• 454 identified white sharks in Guadalupe Island photo-ID database with continuous monitoring since 2001
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Guy Harvey Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on tiger shark research project. MCSI and GHRI developed methods for capturing and surgically implanting acoustic tags into tiger sharks at Tiger Beach, Bahamas. Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation provides funding for tiger shark expeditions.
• Pfleger Institute of Environmental Research (PIER)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative study from 2000-2006 on movements of giant sea bass and white seabass in the California Channel Islands using acoustic receiver arrays.
• The Billfish FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration through Offield Center for Billfish Studies on marlin research. Joint efforts on Cabo Blanco Marlin Study in Peru.
• International Game Fish Association (IGFA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Atlantic Blue Marlin Study examining effect of bait rigging on post-release survival. IGFA provides access to recreational fishing community.
• Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Atlantic Blue Marlin post-release survival study with IGFA. VIMS conducts research on white marlin hooking mortality.
• National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMFS implemented regulation requiring non-offset circle hooks for Atlantic billfish tournament participants based on OCBS research findings.
• Fiji Fisheries DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on spawning aggregation research in Kadavu, Fiji with Dr. Yvonne Sadovy. Local village made fishing off-limits at study site.
• National Geographic Channel / Fischer ProductionsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partnership featuring MCSI scientists in Expedition Great White and Shark Men TV series documenting white shark research.
• Rare Hawaiian Honey CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-branded merchandise partnership. 10% of proceeds from Great White Honey sales donated back to MCSI for shark research and conservation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• OCEARCH: OCEARCH is a marine research non-profit that runs the largest global shark and ocean tracking program, deploying SPOT and other satellite tags on white sharks, makos, and other species and publishing real-time shark tracks. It is the most direct functional peer to MCSI's white shark tracking and Expedition White Shark app.
• Guy Harvey Research Institute: GHRI is a marine science non-profit conducting tagging and tracking research on sharks and billfish, and is an active collaborator with MCSI. It shares MCSI's mission of producing peer-reviewed science from satellite and acoustic tagging programs.
• Save Our Seas Foundation: Save Our Seas Foundation is a marine conservation foundation funding shark and ray research, education, and protection globally. It overlaps with MCSI in funding shark science and public outreach around threatened marine species.
• Shark Research Institute: Shark Research Institute is a non-profit dedicated to scientific research and education on sharks, including tagging, photo-ID, and conservation policy work. It is comparable to MCSI in mission and reliance on volunteer scientists and public donations to fund field research.
• The Billfish Foundation: The Billfish Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to billfish conservation and research, and is a direct collaboration partner with MCSI's Offield Center for Billfish Studies. It shares MCSI's tagging-driven approach to marlin science and policy.

Broad incumbents

• Schmidt Ocean Institute: Schmidt Ocean Institute is a large private foundation operating a research vessel and funding open-access ocean science worldwide. It is comparable as a well-funded marine research philanthropy, though its scope is broader than MCSI's species-focused tagging programs.
• Oceana: Oceana is the largest international ocean conservation advocacy organization, combining science with policy campaigns on sharks, billfish, and fisheries. It overlaps with MCSI on marine conservation goals and policy outcomes (CITES, IUCN) but operates at much larger scale.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI): MBARI is a privately funded oceanographic research institute that develops advanced in-situ sensors and tags for marine science. It is comparable to MCSI as a marine-research non-profit deploying novel tracking instrumentation, though with a much broader scope and budget.
• Scripps Institution of Oceanography: Scripps is a major academic oceanographic institution conducting open-ocean research including shark and pelagic fish ecology. It overlaps with MCSI on peer-reviewed marine science and white shark population studies, but at significantly larger scale.

Emerging players

• Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF): REEF is a marine citizen-science non-profit that crowdsources fish population data through volunteer divers and a public database. It is comparable to MCSI in using photo-ID-style public engagement and citizen science, though focused on reef fish rather than sharks.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MarineCSI
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marine-conservation-science-institute-mcsi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Marine Conservation Science Institute MCSI