Marine Fish Conservation Network
The Marine Fish Conservation Network is a non-profit coalition of over 100 fishing and conservation organizations that advocates for science-based U.S. fisheries policy and the Magnuson-Stevens Act, serving commercial and recreational fishing groups, conservation NGOs, and marine science institutions since 1992.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersArlington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Marine Fish Conservation Network does
The Marine Fish Conservation Network is a U.S.-based non-profit advocacy coalition founded in late 1992 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. It serves as the convening organization for more than 100 fishing and conservation groups — spanning commercial fishing associations, recreational angling organizations, environmental NGOs, marine science institutions, aquaria, and sustainable seafood suppliers — that collaborate on federal fisheries policy. The Network's primary mission is to defend and strengthen the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which marked its 50th anniversary in 2026. It was a founding catalyst behind the 1996 Sustainable Fisheries Act amendments, which required objective definitions of overfishing and rebuilding plans for depleted stocks; subsequent outcomes attributed to Network advocacy include the rebuilding of 41 fish stocks and NOAA Fisheries' estimate that 84% of U.S. fish stocks are no longer overfished.
The Network operates through policy advocacy, coalition coordination, and educational content rather than commercial products. Its offerings include a blog covering fisheries policy and marine conservation, the "Waterside Chat" podcast and video series hosted by CEO Tom Sadler, an email newsletter distributed to subscribers, and a resources library. Distribution spans a WordPress website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Substack. The organization engages directly with Congress through testimony, with NOAA leadership through formal policy priority submissions, and with regional fishery management councils on rulemaking. Leadership includes CEO Tom Sadler, Executive Director Robert Vandermark, and Policy Council Co-Chair Linda Behnken (also Executive Director of the Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association).
The Network is funded primarily through donations and member organization support, as indicated by the prominent "DONATE" call-to-action on its website. It is a privately held non-profit with no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no disclosed foundation, corporate, or government funding sources. The organization employs approximately 5 staff and operates with a small centralized office footprint. Its business model is fundamentally coalition advocacy rather than revenue generation — value is delivered to member organizations through amplified political voice and to the public through educational content, with no commercial product or service revenue stream.
Marine Fish Conservation Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Marine Fish Conservation Network
- Legal name
- Marine Fish Conservation Network
- Website
- https://conservefish.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Marine Fish Conservation Network is a non-profit coalition of over 100 fishing and conservation organizations that advocates for science-based U.S. fisheries policy and the Magnuson-Stevens Act, serving commercial and recreational fishing groups, conservation NGOs, and marine science institutions since 1992.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Marine Fish Conservation Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Conservation Policy Advocacy
- NAICS
- Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI)
Keywords
Where Marine Fish Conservation Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arlington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Marine Fish Conservation Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations and Membership Support: The Marine Fish Conservation Network is a non-profit coalition that operates primarily through donations and member organization support. The website features a donate button, suggesting individual and organizational contributions as a primary funding source.
Marketing channels6 records
Marine Fish Conservation Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Marine Fish Conservation Network is a non-profit coalition of more than 100 fishing and conservation organizations that advocates for science-based U.S. federal fisheries management, with a primary focus on strengthening and reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. It coordinates joint advocacy among commercial fishing, recreational fishing, and conservation stakeholders, engages directly with Congress and federal agencies through testimony and policy recommendations, and distributes educational content through a blog, podcast/video series, email newsletter, and resources library.
Product overview
Marine Fish Conservation Network operates a policy advocacy and communications platform focused on U.S. ocean conservation. The organization functions as a coalition-based advocacy network rather than a product company, offering content and communication services including the Waterside Chat podcast/video series, an editorial blog, email newsletter subscriptions, and a resources library. These offerings support the Network's mission to influence federal fisheries policy and the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 41 fish stocks rebuilt as a result of Network advocacy for the 1996 Sustainable Fisheries Act
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Marine Fish Conservation Network
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Marine Fish Conservation Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Marine Fish Conservation Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.
- Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association (ALFA)coreALFA is a key member organization within the Network, with its Executive Director Linda Behnken serving as Co-Chair of the Marine Fish Conservation Network's Policy Council. ALFA collaborates with the Network on advocacy for sustainable fisheries policy in Alaska, particularly regarding the Tongass National Forest management and salmon conservation.
- Alaska Marine Community CoalitioncoreThe Alaska Marine Community Coalition (AMCC) works closely with the Network on issues affecting Alaska's coastal communities and fisheries. AMCC's Executive Director Michelle Stratton contributes articles to the Network's blog on topics including ocean observatories, bycatch, and NOAA budget impacts on Alaska fisheries.
- The Ocean ConservancymajorThe Ocean Conservancy's Director of the Fish Conservation Program, Meredith Moore, participated in a Waterside Chat with Network CEO Tom Sadler, discussing science-policy integration in fisheries management. The organizations share goals around marine conservation and sustainable fisheries.
- Wild OceanscoreWild Oceans (formerly National Coalition for Marine Conservation) was one of the founding organizations of the Marine Fish Conservation Network in late 1992. The Network's history is intertwined with Wild Oceans, and Theresa Labriola of Wild Oceans has appeared on Waterside Chats discussing forage fish conservation and Magnuson-Stevens Act implementation.
- The Boat CompanysupportingThe Boat Company partnered with Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association to develop the Fishermen's Alternative proposal for the Tongass National Forest management plan revision, advocating for fish habitat protection over increased logging.
- SalmonStatesupportingSalmonState, led by Executive Director Tim Bristol and Outreach Director Melanie Brown, collaborates with the Network on issues including Tongass forest management, Pebble Mine opposition, and salmon conservation in Alaska. Waterside Chats feature SalmonState staff discussing these interconnected issues.
- Conservation Law FoundationsupportingThe Conservation Law Foundation published an article on the Magnuson-Stevens Act's 50th anniversary that was reprinted on the Network's blog, discussing the law's complicated legacy and contributions to fisheries recovery.
- Fishing Communities CoalitionsupportingThe Fishing Communities Coalition authored an article on the Young Fishermen's Development Act that was reprinted on the Network's blog, advocating for investment in the next generation of America's fishing industry.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)majorThe Network engages with NOAA Fisheries on science-based fisheries management, providing policy recommendations and advocacy. The Network has sent policy priorities to NOAA leadership regarding promoting economic and food security through science-based fisheries management.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Marine Fish Conservation Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Ocean Conservancy: Large US marine conservation non-profit running a dedicated Fish Conservation Program that engages on Magnuson-Stevens and federal fisheries policy; the Marine Fish Conservation Network already features Ocean Conservancy staff as Waterside Chat guests, indicating direct overlap on science-based fisheries advocacy.
- Oceana: One of the largest international ocean advocacy organizations, running major US campaigns on sustainable fisheries, bycatch, and seafood traceability; competes for the same donor pool and Congressional attention on Magnuson-Stevens issues as the Network.
- Environmental Defense Fund: Major US environmental non-profit with a long-running Oceans program that works on catch shares, bycatch reduction, and fisheries policy at the federal and regional council level; operates at significantly larger scale than the Network but covers overlapping fisheries policy territory.
- National Audubon Society: Founding steering committee member of the Marine Fish Conservation Network in 1992 and a broader conservation organization with a long history of marine and coastal policy advocacy; comparable audience overlap on recreational fishing and seabird/marine habitat protection.
- Pew Charitable Trusts (Oceans/ fisheries work): Philanthropy with a substantial US and global fisheries policy portfolio that funds science-based management, catch limits, and illegal fishing reforms; an influential player on the same Magnuson-Stevens and regional council agenda as the Network.
Direct peers
- SalmonState: Alaska-based advocacy organization focused on salmon, Bristol Bay, and Tongass issues that partners with the Network on Pebble Mine opposition and salmon conservation; highly overlapping membership and policy agenda.
- Alaska Marine Community Coalition: Core Network member focused on Alaska coastal community and fisheries advocacy, contributing blog content and Waterside Chat guests on NOAA budgets and bycatch; closely aligned with the Network's mission on working waterfronts and sustainable Alaska fisheries.
- Wild Oceans: Founding member of the Marine Fish Conservation Network in 1992 and a fellow US-based fisheries policy advocacy organization focused on forage fish, billfish, and Magnuson-Stevens implementation; the two organizations are closely linked in mission and leadership.
- Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association: Core member of the Marine Fish Conservation Network whose Executive Director co-chairs the Network's Policy Council; the organizations share overlapping advocacy on sustainable Alaska fisheries, Tongass habitat, and salmon conservation.
Regional players
- Conservation Law Foundation: New England-based environmental advocacy organization that publishes on Magnuson-Stevens and fisheries recovery issues and reprints content on the Network's blog; comparable fisheries policy voice in the Northeast regional council process.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Marine Fish Conservation Network social profiles
Digital presenceMarine Fish Conservation Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Marine Fish Conservation Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Marine Fish Conservation Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Marine Fish Conservation Network M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Marine Fish Conservation Network
What does Marine Fish Conservation Network do?
The Marine Fish Conservation Network is a non-profit coalition of more than 100 fishing and conservation organizations that advocates for science-based U.S. federal fisheries management, with a primary focus on strengthening and reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. It coordinates joint advocacy among commercial fishing, recreational fishing, and conservation stakeholders, engages directly with Congress and federal agencies through testimony and policy recommendations, and distributes educational content through a blog, podcast/video series, email newsletter, and resources library.
Is Marine Fish Conservation Network a public or private company?
Marine Fish Conservation Network is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Marine Fish Conservation Network founded?
Marine Fish Conservation Network was founded in 1992. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Marine Fish Conservation Network based?
Marine Fish Conservation Network is headquartered in Arlington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Marine Fish Conservation Network make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Membership Support.
Who are Marine Fish Conservation Network's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Ocean Conservancy, Oceana, Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society and Pew Charitable Trusts (Oceans/ fisheries work). Direct peers are SalmonState, Alaska Marine Community Coalition, Wild Oceans and Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association. Conservation Law Foundation is listed as a regional player.
Does Marine Fish Conservation Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for Marine Fish Conservation Network.
What industry is Marine Fish Conservation Network in?
Marine Fish Conservation Network's product category is Marine Conservation Policy Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAE, Marine & Freshwater Conservation, with a secondary code of BPADALAI, Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management. Its NAICS code is 92412 and its SIC code is 8600.