The Oceanic Institute

What The Oceanic Institute does

The Oceanic Institute (OI) is a non-profit research and development organization founded in 1969 and operating as an integral part of Hawai'i Pacific University. It is dedicated to aquaculture, biotechnology, and coastal resource management, with a stated mission to develop and transfer environmentally responsible technologies that increase aquatic food production and promote sustainable use of ocean resources. The institute is headquartered at 1 Aloha Tower Drive, Honolulu, Hawaii.

OI's core technology portfolio consists of six research programs: the Yellow Tang Captive Breeding Program (the world's first captive-bred population of Yellow Tang, providing a sustainable alternative to wild-caught aquarium fish), the Pacific White Shrimp Breeding Program (the world's first disease-free breeding program for the species, described as a paradigm shift for global shrimp farming), the Hawaiian Fishpond Revitalization program (captive-rearing techniques for culturally significant Hawaiian food fishes), the Live Feeds Innovation Program (advancing commercial-scale production of live feed), Sustainable Shrimp Farming Technologies (addressing environmental and disease concerns in traditional shrimp farming), and Fish Culture Technologies (pioneering marine fish culture using submerged cages). These research programs are complemented by an Aquaculture Workforce Development Program that uses aquaculture as a STEM education platform.

OI operates as a non-profit funded through research grants, donations, and institutional support; it does not sell commercial products and pricing is not publicly disclosed. Its go-to-market is built around technology transfer rather than product sales: the institute engages commercial aquaculture operators, government agencies, and educational institutions through direct partnerships, training programs, and publications. Customer segments include the aquaculture industry (primary), educational institutions, and government and conservation agencies, with a horizontal segmentation approach.

Name

The Oceanic Institute

Legal name

Oceanic Institute of Hawai'i Pacific University

Website

https://oceanicinstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Oceanic Institute is a non-profit research and development organization, part of Hawai'i Pacific University, founded in 1969 and dedicated to aquaculture, biotechnology, and coastal resource management. It develops and transfers environmentally responsible aquaculture technologies to commercial operators, government agencies, and educational institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aquaculture Research & Development

NAICS

Other Aquaculture (112519), Aquaculture (11251), Finfish Farming and Fish Hatcheries (112511), Animal Production and Aquaculture (112)

akta.pro primary industry

Aquaculture Health, Biosecurity & Veterinary Services (AFAEAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Offshore & Open-Ocean Aquaculture (AFAEAAAH), Freshwater Shellfish & Crustacean Farming (e.g., crayfish) (AFAEAAAD), Aquaculture & Fish Health Services (AFAEANAE), Species-Specific Warmwater Fish Feed (Carp, Pangasius, Other Warmwater Species) (AFADADAK), Aquaculture & Fisheries Operations (EDAOAOAK), Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI)

Keywords

• Aquaculture research
• Marine biotechnology
• Coastal resource management
• Captive breeding programs
• Sustainable seafood research

Headquarters

HQ city

Honolulu

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research and Development Funding: As a non-profit R&D organization affiliated with Hawai'i Pacific University, OI operates primarily through research grants, donations, and institutional funding. Revenue supports aquaculture research, technology development, and workforce training programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Oceanic Institute is a non-profit research and development organization that develops and transfers environmentally responsible aquaculture technologies, including captive breeding programs for marine species (Yellow Tang, Pacific White Shrimp, Hawaiian food fishes), disease-free shrimp production, live feed production, and sustainable marine fish culture using submerged cage systems. Output is delivered to commercial aquaculture operators, government agencies, and educational institutions via technology transfer partnerships, workforce development programs, and research publications.

Product overview

The Oceanic Institute is a non-profit research and development organization dedicated to aquaculture, biotechnology, and coastal resource management. Its portfolio consists of six core research programs focused on marine species breeding and cultivation: the Yellow Tang Captive Breeding Program (providing sustainable alternatives for aquarium trade), the Pacific White Shrimp Breeding Program (disease-free shrimp production), Hawaiian Fishpond Revitalization (culturally significant aquaculture), Live Feeds Innovation (algae and feed production), Sustainable Shrimp Farming Technologies, and Fish Culture Technologies (marine fish cultivation using submerged cages). These programs are complemented by an Aquaculture Workforce Development Program that uses aquaculture as a STEM education platform. The institute's mission is to develop and transfer environmentally responsible technologies to increase aquatic food production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Yellow Tang Captive Breeding Program World's first captive-bred population of Yellow Tang developed to provide a sustainable alternative to wild-caught fish for the aquarium trade. For commercial aquaculture operators, conservation agencies, and the aquarium industry.
• Pacific White Shrimp Breeding Program World's first disease-free breeding program for Pacific White Shrimp that resulted in a major paradigm shift for the global shrimp farming industry. For commercial shrimp aquaculture operators.
• Hawaiian Fishpond Revitalization Captive-rearing techniques developed for important Hawaiian food fishes to help revitalize the oldest and most culturally significant form of aquaculture in the U.S. For cultural preservation stakeholders, community groups, and aquaculture operators.
• Live Feeds Innovation Program Innovations in live feed production that drive industry growth by overcoming technical hurdles associated with commercial scale-up. For commercial aquaculture operators and feed producers.
• Sustainable Shrimp Farming Technologies Advanced shrimp production technologies that address critical environmental and disease concerns associated with traditional shrimp farming, providing sustainable alternatives to current farming practices. For commercial shrimp aquaculture operators.
• Fish Culture Technologies Pioneered methods for the culture of marine fish to increase production of aquatic protein worldwide, using submerged cage technologies. For commercial marine fish aquaculture operators.
• Aquaculture Workforce Development Program Workforce development and education program using aquaculture as a platform for STEM disciplines. For schools, universities, and workforce development partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• First captive-bred Yellow Tang population providing sustainable alternative to wild-caught aquarium fish
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Hawai'i Pacific UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOI is an integral part of Hawai'i Pacific University, operating as a non-profit research and development organization under the university umbrella. The partnership enables OI to leverage HPU's academic resources, institutional infrastructure, and educational platforms for aquaculture research and workforce development.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• IFREMER: French national research institute dedicated to ocean research with major aquaculture R&D programs. Comparable aquaculture health and breeding research, broader institutional scope.
• AquaBounty Technologies: Publicly traded commercial aquaculture company with proprietary breeding technologies (e.g., AquAdvantage salmon). Comparable focus on advanced breeding but operating as a commercial for-profit entity.
• NOAA Fisheries: U.S. federal agency managing fisheries and aquaculture research. Comparable aquaculture research activities but government-funded with much broader regulatory mandate.
• CSIRO (Marine Research): Australian national science agency with significant aquaculture R&D programs. Comparable sustainable aquaculture research but operates as a large government-backed institution.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI): Large private non-profit oceanographic research and education organization. Broader marine research scope but comparable institutional model with federal funding and applied marine science.

Direct peers

• Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium: Non-profit marine research organization in Florida conducting aquaculture, fisheries, and marine biotechnology research. Highly comparable non-profit R&D model with industry technology transfer and education programs.
• Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS): UK-based marine science research organization with significant aquaculture research programs. Comparable R&D focus on sustainable aquaculture, fish health, and marine biotechnology.
• Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute: Non-profit marine research organization focused on aquaculture, fisheries sustainability, and marine species conservation. Comparable mission of developing sustainable aquaculture technologies and workforce development.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI): Private non-profit oceanographic research institute focused on marine science and technology innovation. Comparable non-profit research model with applied marine technology development and knowledge transfer.

Emerging players

• Skretting (Nutreco): Global aquaculture feed producer with R&D in sustainable feed and live feed production. Comparable focus on live feed innovation and shrimp farming technologies, but operates as a commercial feed manufacturer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/hpu
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/hpu
• Facebookfacebook.com/hawaiipacificu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/edu/school?id=18200
• Instagraminstagram.com/hawaiipacificu/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 The Oceanic Institute