Beyond Our Shores Foundation
Beyond Our Shores Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit marine fisheries research organization that operates citizen science tagging programs for dolphinfish, wahoo, and FADs, engaging 3,000+ volunteer fishermen across the Caribbean and Atlantic to generate fisheries management data.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersNew Port Richey, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Beyond Our Shores Foundation does
Beyond Our Shores Foundation (Beyond Our Shores, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit marine fisheries research organization founded in 2017 and headquartered in Newport, Rhode Island, with active operations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization was established to conserve and enhance marine fisheries and ocean habitats, primarily by operating and expanding the Dolphinfish Research Program (DRP), the world's largest international mark-and-recapture program for dolphinfish. The DRP engages volunteer recreational, charter, and commercial fishermen through free tagging kit distribution, tagging awards, and monthly eNewsletters, accumulating 37,211 tags distributed to 1,300 anglers globally with 21,458 dolphinfish marked and 551 recaptures documented across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
The foundation operates four core research programs: the DRP (citizen science fish tagging), the Collaborative FAD Research Program (video monitoring and economic analysis of Fish Aggregating Devices in Puerto Rico), the SeasonalCatch Seafood Initiative (seafood traceability pilot in Puerto Rico), and the Wahoo Research Program launched in 2021 (satellite tag deployments and genetic connectivity studies in the Western Central Atlantic). Core technology consists of conventional tags, PSAT (popup satellite archival transmitter) tags, and MTI/Microwave Telemetry geolocating satellite tags tracking pelagic species movements, migrations, and behavior. The organization publishes findings in peer-reviewed journals including Fisheries Research, Marine Policy, and Caribbean Journal of Science, with 18 publications to date.
The foundation's go-to-market is community-led: volunteer participation is the core data collection mechanism, channeled through fishing clubs, scout groups, and conservation organizations. Revenue is sourced from charitable donations (cash, securities, bequests), grants (Waitt Foundation, PRDNER, Guy Harvey Foundation), and modest merchandise sales via the DRP Shop at dolphintagging.com. Leadership consists of Executive Director/Board Chair/Founder Wessley Merten (PhD in Marine Sciences), Data and Fishery Analyst I Corey Gosciminski, research interns from Roger Williams University, and a 14-member Board of Directors. The foundation has no parent company, no subsidiaries, and is not equity-funded.
Beyond Our Shores Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Beyond Our Shores Foundation
- Legal name
- Beyond Our Shores, Inc.
- Website
- https://beyondourshores.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Beyond Our Shores Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit marine fisheries research organization that operates citizen science tagging programs for dolphinfish, wahoo, and FADs, engaging 3,000+ volunteer fishermen across the Caribbean and Atlantic to generate fisheries management data.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Beyond Our Shores Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Fisheries Research
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- 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
Where Beyond Our Shores Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New Port Richey
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Beyond Our Shores Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Charitable Donations: Cash donations accepted via PayPal, check, stocks/bonds/mutual funds, memorial contributions, and bequests through wills and living trusts. Donations can be specified for current programs/projects or earmarked for the endowment fund.
- Tagging Kit and Merchandise Sales: Sale of tagging kits and program-branded apparel through the DRP shop (dolphintagging.com/shop) to support program participation and generate revenue.
- Grant Funding: Funding received from foundations and government agencies including the Waitt Foundation, Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, and Guy Harvey Foundation to support specific research programs.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Beyond Our Shores Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Beyond Our Shores Foundation conducts marine fisheries research through four integrated programs: the Dolphinfish Research Program (the world's largest international mark and recapture program for dolphinfish), the Collaborative FAD Research Program, the SeasonalCatch Seafood Initiative, and the Wahoo Research Program. The foundation engages volunteer recreational, charter, and commercial fishermen in citizen science across the Caribbean, Western Central Atlantic, U.S. East Coast, and Gulf of Mexico, distributing free tagging kits and collecting conventional tag, PSAT satellite tag, and FAD video monitoring data to inform fisheries management and ocean conservation.
Product overview
Beyond Our Shores Foundation is a nonprofit marine fisheries research organization operating a portfolio of linked research programs centered on the conservation of dolphinfish and related species. Its core offerings include the Dolphinfish Research Program (DRP), the world's largest international mark and recapture program for dolphinfish; the Collaborative FAD Research Program studying fish aggregating devices; the SeasonalCatch Seafood Initiative focused on seafood traceability in Puerto Rico; and the Wahoo Research Program launched in 2021. The DRP engages citizen scientists through free tagging kits and distributes awards for participation, while the FAD and SeasonalCatch programs gather specialized fisheries and supply chain data. Supplementary offerings include a shop selling apparel and tagging kits. The organization publishes its research through peer-reviewed publications and a monthly DRP newsletter, along with educational films and animations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Dolphinfish Research Program (DRP) The world's largest international mark and recapture program for dolphinfish, engaging recreational, charter, and commercial fishermen to tag and release dolphinfish and report recaptures, generating data on migrations, movements, and life history to inform fisheries management.
- Collaborative FAD Research Program Research program gathering fisheries and economic data on Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) use, performance, effectiveness, and impact on pelagic fish species in the U.S. Caribbean Sea, including video monitoring at moored FADs off Puerto Rico.
- SeasonalCatch Seafood Initiative Pilot seafood traceability program in Puerto Rico that collects daily catch and effort and seafood inventory data from small-scale commercial fishermen and restaurants to inform ocean conservation and fisheries management.
- Wahoo Research Program Research program deploying popup satellite archival transmitters, conventional tagging, and genetic tissue sample collection on wahoo to assess population structure and connectivity in the Western Central Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
- DRP Tagging Kit Free tagging kits distributed to anglers that contain conventional tags and data log sheets for participating in the Dolphinfish Research Program mark and recapture initiative.
- DRP Shop / Program Apparel E-commerce storefront selling program merchandise including shirts and tagging equipment to support the foundation's fisheries research programs.
Quantifiable outcome
- 21,458 dolphinfish tagged and released; 551 recaptured across Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Beyond Our Shores Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Beyond Our Shores Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Beyond Our Shores Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Guy Harvey Foundation / Guy Harvey Ocean FoundationcoreMajor sponsor of the Dolphinfish Research Program and Wahoo Research Program. Provides funding for satellite tag deployments on wahoo and dolphinfish. Has donated signed Guy Harvey lithographs and art as tagging award prizes for top tagging vessels annually.
- Penn FishingcorePremier fishing tackle company and sponsor of the 2025 Dolphinfish Research Program tag and release awards. Donated top-quality fishing equipment to incentivize fishermen to tag and release dolphinfish.
- Costa Del MarcorePremier fishing eyewear company and sponsor of the DRP tagging awards for 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021, providing top-quality sunglasses and gear as incentive awards.
- AFTCOcoreLeading fishing tackle manufacturer providing fishing gloves, gaffs, fighting belts, harnesses, bait nets, and other gear as monthly and year-end tagging awards. Major sponsor for DRP, MAB Tagging Initiative, and annual awards since 2018.
- Star RodscoreCustom handcrafted conventional fishing rods donated as first-place prizes for top tagging boats. Sponsor of DRP tagging awards for 2018-2025.
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR)minorOriginal state-funded source of the Dolphinfish Research Program in 2002. State and federally funded the program through 2006, after which Don Hammond formed Cooperative Science Services LLC to continue operations before the Beyond Our Shores Foundation was established.
- University of Puerto Rico, MayagüezcoreGraduate student Amanda Prieto-Garcia from UPR Mayagüez is conducting wahoo genetic connectivity research in collaboration with BOSF, collecting tissue samples from tagged wahoo to estimate population structure across the Western Central Atlantic.
- Florida Institute of TechnologyminorData and Fishery Analyst Corey Gosciminski graduated from Florida Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Oceanography, providing academic talent pipeline for the organization.
- SiriusXM MarineminorSponsor of 2023 and 2024 DRP tagging awards programs, providing marine electronics or products as incentive awards for participating fishermen.
- Skallywags CominorSponsor of 2023 and 2024 DRP tagging awards programs.
- ShimanominorFishing tackle company sponsor of 2019 and 2018 DRP tagging awards, donating Shimano TLD reels and Shimano Borona tackle bags as prizes.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Beyond Our Shores Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- National Marine Sanctuary Foundation: U.S. nonprofit supporting NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary System with broader marine conservation focus. Organizational model (small nonprofit driving marine research) and donor base similar to Beyond Our Shores Foundation.
- Ocean Conservancy: One of the largest marine conservation nonprofits, conducting ocean research and policy advocacy. Wessley Merten previously worked at Oceana (sister organization with similar mission). Both work on fisheries data and sustainable seafood.
- International Game Fish Association (IGFA): Global authority on recreational fishing records, conservation, and education. Bob Frevert, board member of Beyond Our Shores, is a lifetime IGFA member. Both engage the recreational sportfishing community around tags and data.
- Guy Harvey Foundation / Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation: Major sponsor and adjacent peer in marine conservation and pelagic species research. Funds Beyond Our Shores Foundation's satellite tag work and conducts parallel tagging and educational research across the Atlantic and Caribbean.
Direct peers
- OCEARCH: Marine research and citizen science organization that tags and tracks sharks and other large marine species, publishing open ecological data. Comparable in deploying satellite (SPOT/PSAT) tags and converting public engagement into research output.
- The Billfish Foundation: Sportfishing conservation nonprofit that runs tagging programs, publishes fisheries research, and supports billfish and pelagic species conservation. Directly comparable citizen-science and tagging-driven model to Beyond Our Shores Foundation.
- Cooperative Science Services, LLC: Founded by Don Hammond after state/federal funding for the Dolphinfish Research Program ended in 2006; ran the program until transferring leadership to Beyond Our Shores Foundation in 2017. Shares identical programmatic focus on dolphinfish tagging and research.
Emerging players
- Tag-a-Giant Foundation: Focuses on tagging and conservation of Atlantic bluefin tuna with a citizen science model. Niche overlap with Beyond Our Shores Foundation's pelagic species satellite tagging work, though narrower species focus.
Others
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR): State agency that originally funded the Dolphinfish Research Program from 2002-2006 under Don Hammond. Provides fisheries research and management for the South Atlantic Bight, where Beyond Our Shores operates significant tagging.
Regional players
- Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute: Regional fisheries science institution focused on the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Board member Richard Appeldoorn is a longstanding member of GCFI's Board of Directors. Overlapping Caribbean research priorities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Beyond Our Shores Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceBeyond Our Shores Foundation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Beyond Our Shores Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Beyond Our Shores Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
Beyond Our Shores Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Beyond Our Shores Foundation 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 Beyond Our Shores Foundation
What does Beyond Our Shores Foundation do?
Beyond Our Shores Foundation conducts marine fisheries research through four integrated programs: the Dolphinfish Research Program (the world's largest international mark and recapture program for dolphinfish), the Collaborative FAD Research Program, the SeasonalCatch Seafood Initiative, and the Wahoo Research Program. The foundation engages volunteer recreational, charter, and commercial fishermen in citizen science across the Caribbean, Western Central Atlantic, U.S. East Coast, and Gulf of Mexico, distributing free tagging kits and collecting conventional tag, PSAT satellite tag, and FAD video monitoring data to inform fisheries management and ocean conservation.
Is Beyond Our Shores Foundation a public or private company?
Beyond Our Shores Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Beyond Our Shores Foundation founded?
Beyond Our Shores Foundation was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Beyond Our Shores Foundation based?
Beyond Our Shores Foundation is headquartered in New Port Richey, United States, in the North America region.
How does Beyond Our Shores Foundation make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Charitable Donations are the primary driver. The others are tagging Kit and Merchandise Sales and grant Funding.
Who are Beyond Our Shores Foundation's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Ocean Conservancy, International Game Fish Association (IGFA) and Guy Harvey Foundation / Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. Direct peers are OCEARCH, The Billfish Foundation and Cooperative Science Services, LLC. Tag-a-Giant Foundation is listed as an emerging player. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is listed as an others. Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute is listed as a regional player.
Does Beyond Our Shores Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Beyond Our Shores Foundation.
What industry is Beyond Our Shores Foundation in?
Beyond Our Shores Foundation's product category is Marine Fisheries Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAE, Marine & Freshwater Conservation, with a secondary code of BPAIAMAI, Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines). Its SIC code is 8731.