What Fisheries Conservation Foundation does

Fisheries Conservation Foundation (FCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2004 and headquartered in Champaign, Illinois. It conducts scientific research, convenes stakeholders, and delivers education programs aimed at conserving freshwater and marine fisheries globally. FCF operates four core programs: the Flats Ecology and Conservation Program (bonefish telemetry in the Bahamas), the Mahseer Research and Conservation Program (radio telemetry on Golden Mahseer in Himalayan rivers), the Innovative Strategies for Recreational Fishing program (black bass research and spawning sanctuaries), and the Engagement & Education program (science communication training and the Living Planet Index for migratory freshwater fish). The organization works across 11 countries through partnerships with government agencies, universities, conservation NGOs, and recreational fishing industry stakeholders.

The Foundation's technical foundation is built on acoustic and radio telemetry infrastructure. FCF deploys VEMCO acoustic receivers (notably 32 units provided by the Ocean Tracking Network for the Grand Bahama bonefish study) to track fish movements, spawning aggregations, and migration routes. Radio telemetry is used to study Golden Mahseer and Chocolate Mahseer movements in Bhutan rivers, while microbiome fingerprint analysis of fish gill microbiota supports nursery habitat identification. All telemetry data is contributed to OTN's open-access global database. Recurring convening activities include the International Mahseer Conference series (Bhutan 2019, Thailand 2020) and the Black Bass Symposium (3rd edition co-hosted with the American Fisheries Society in 2025).

FCF is funded through donations, sponsorships, and grants from individuals, corporations, and foundations, with the organization stating that 100% of donated dollars go toward projects. It does not sell products or services and does not publicly disclose revenue. Leadership comprises CEO/Chair Dr. David P. Philipp (former Principal Scientist at Illinois Natural History Survey), COO Julie Claussen, and CFO Kim Stanhope, supported by a Board of Directors with representation from Carleton University, University of Arkansas, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Ambata Capital, and Himalayan Rivers United. Notable recent policy impact includes the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry establishing bass spawning sanctuaries in 2024 based on FCF-supported research.

Name

Fisheries Conservation Foundation

Legal name

Fisheries Conservation Foundation

Website

https://fishconserve.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Fisheries Conservation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2004 that advances fisheries conservation through scientific research, stakeholder convening, and education across 11 countries, using acoustic and radio telemetry to study migratory fish and inform fisheries management policy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Research Services

NAICS

Fishing (1141)

akta.pro primary industry

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Administration (BPAIAAAO)

Keywords

• Fisheries conservation
• Aquatic research services
• Fish telemetry studies
• Conservation nonprofit programs
• Science communication training

Headquarters

HQ city

Champaign

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: FCF operates as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that relies primarily on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations who support fisheries conservation. The organization states that 100% of donated dollars go toward projects.
2. Sponsorships and Fundraisers: Corporate and individual sponsors support FCF fundraising events and activities. The organization also accepts sponsorship of specific programs and initiatives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Fisheries Conservation Foundation (FCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances fisheries conservation through scientific research, stakeholder engagement, and education. It operates four core programs (Flats Ecology, Mahseer Conservation, Innovative Strategies for Recreational Fishing, and Engagement & Education), using acoustic and radio telemetry to track migratory fish, developing spawning sanctuary management strategies, and training fisheries professionals in science communication.

Product overview

The Fisheries Conservation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates multiple conservation programs rather than a single product. The organization runs four core programs: the Flats Ecology and Conservation Program (tracking bonefish in The Bahamas), the Mahseer Research and Conservation Program (studying Golden Mahseer in Bhutan), the Innovative Strategies for Recreational Fishing program (spawning sanctuaries and black bass research), and the Engagement & Education program (science communication training). These programs are supported by conferences including the International Mahseer Conference series and the Black Bass Symposium 2025. The Foundation also provides research services through acoustic and radio telemetry studies, and publishes reports such as the Living Planet Index for Migratory Freshwater Fish. No commercial products or technology platforms are offered; all services are nonprofit conservation and research initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Flats Ecology and Conservation Program Research program studying bonefish and flats ecosystems in The Bahamas using acoustic telemetry to track spawning locations and migration patterns, conducted with the Flats Ecology and Conservation Project (FECP).
• Mahseer Research and Conservation Program Conservation program protecting migratory Golden Mahseer in Himalayan rivers through radio telemetry research, community conservation, and recreational fishing development in Bhutan and the broader region.
• Innovative Strategies for Recreational Fishing Program promoting innovative approaches for managing and conserving freshwater sportfish populations, including spawning sanctuaries, bass research, and telemetry studies.
• Engagement & Education Program Science communication and education program that bridges fisheries science with public understanding, including communications training for professionals and Living Planet Index initiatives.
• Spawning Sanctuaries Initiative Seasonally designated areas within lakes where all forms of fishing are prohibited during critical spawning periods to protect nesting bass from angling disruption and improve recruitment.
• Bonefish Tracking Studies Acoustic telemetry research studies tracking bonefish movements and spawning migrations in The Bahamas, including Grand Bahama and Abaco tracking projects.
• Mahseer Telemetry Project Radio telemetry study tracking Golden Mahseer and Chocolate Mahseer movements in Bhutan's rivers to determine migration patterns, spawning locations, and overwintering sites.
• Climate Ambassador Communications Training Program Partnership with American Fisheries Society and Exact Communications providing practical communication skills training for fisheries professionals, including narrative development, presentations, policy engagement, and media training.

Quantifiable outcome

• Identified 3 critical pre-spawning aggregation sites for bonefish on Grand Bahama, with longest documented migration of 180 miles
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American Fisheries SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFS and FCF co-hosted the 3rd Black Bass Symposium (BB2025), bringing together resource managers, researchers, and anglers to discuss black bass management and conservation. FCF co-sponsored science communication workshops at AFS conferences.
• World Wildlife Fund BhutancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCF partnered with WWF-Bhutan and Bhutan Ministry of Agriculture and Forests to launch the Mahseer Conservation and Research Project in 2015, conducting groundbreaking radio telemetry research on Golden Mahseer migrations.
• Carleton UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Carleton University's Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory for telemetry research, spawning sanctuary studies, and collaborative research on bass reproductive ecology.
• University of IllinoiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term research partnership with University of Illinois researchers on black bass reproductive ecology, angling impacts, and acoustic telemetry studies.
• Ocean Tracking NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationOTN provided 32 VEMCO acoustic receivers for the Grand Bahama bonefish tracking study. All telemetry data is added to OTN's global database for open access research.
• Cape Eleuthera InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEI serves as the focal point for flats research and conservation in the Bahamas, hosting FCF-supported research on bonefish and hosting researchers including Aaron Shultz and Eric Schneider.
• Kenauk Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch station partner conducting Lake Trout fisheries research programs and hosting fisheries field courses in Quebec, Canada.
• World Fish Migration FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCF is a partner in the Global Swimways Initiative and works with WFMD to promote conservation of migratory fish species and free-flowing rivers.
• Mahseer TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on Mahseer conservation efforts and the International Mahseer Conference series.
• Himalayan Rivers UnitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBryant Dunn serves as Director of Himalayan Rivers United; FCF collaborates on river conservation across the Himalayan region.
• Bahamas National TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Bahamas-based conservation efforts and participated in the Bahamas Bonefish Conference.
• Federation of Fly FishersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFFI supports recreational fishing conservation efforts and shares resources for fly fishing conservation programs.
• Freshwater IllustratedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreative partner producing visual content for fisheries conservation education and outreach.
• The Bhutan FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports Bhutan conservation programs and mahseer research initiatives.
• InFishminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working on freshwater fish conservation.
• Shoal Freshwater InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCF is a strategic partner of Shoal working to address declining freshwater species and habitats.
• Ecologists Without BordersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitates ecological services and maintains relationships with scientific experts in developing nations.
• Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and ForestrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMNRF established bass spawning sanctuaries in Charleston and Opinicon Lakes in 2024 based on FCF-supported research, and provides grant funding for spawning sanctuary research.
• Bonefish & Tarpon TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research partner on bonefish tracking studies, with Dr. Aaron Adams as team member on FECP spawning and migration research.
• Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Aaron Shultz serves as Fisheries Biologist at GLIFWC, investigating fish vulnerability to climate change and conducting bonefish research.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• World Wildlife Fund: A leading global conservation organization. FCF has directly partnered with WWF-Bhutan on Mahseer conservation and board member Michael Philipp sits on WWF-US's board, making WWF both a comparable broad conservation peer and a direct partner.
• Wildlife Conservation Society: A large, established international conservation NGO operating zoos and field programs globally. WCS addresses aquatic and fisheries conservation at scale; it represents a broad incumbent comparable to FCF's conservation mission but at significantly larger scale.
• The Nature Conservancy: One of the largest global conservation NGOs with extensive freshwater and fisheries programs. TNC represents a broad incumbent comparable in overall conservation mission and donor base, though with very different scale and program breadth.

Direct peers

• Trout Unlimited: A leading coldwater conservation nonprofit focused on trout and salmon habitat, with significant overlap to FCF's recreational sportfish conservation mission. FCF board member Rick Williams is a life member of TU, indicating direct programmatic and community overlap.
• World Fish Migration Foundation: A nonprofit working to conserve migratory fish and connect rivers globally via the Global Swimways Initiative. FCF is an active partner, making WFMD a direct peer in migratory freshwater fish conservation and free-flowing river advocacy.
• Shoal Freshwater Initiative: A freshwater fish conservation initiative. FCF is a strategic partner of Shoal on declining freshwater species and habitats, making it a directly comparable peer in freshwater species conservation.
• Cape Eleuthera Institute: A research and education institute in The Bahamas hosting flats research and bonefish conservation. CEI hosts FCF-supported research and is a direct operational peer in bonefish conservation fieldwork in the Caribbean.
• Mahseer Trust: A nonprofit dedicated to mahseer conservation research and angling-based conservation in South Asia. FCF co-organizes the International Mahseer Conference series with Mahseer Trust, making it a directly comparable peer on Mahseer research and Himalayan river conservation.
• Bonefish & Tarpon Trust: A nonprofit dedicated to bonefish and tarpon conservation research. FCF has Dr. Aaron Adams as a team member and the organizations collaborate on bonefish tracking and FECP spawning/migration research — making BTT a directly comparable peer in flats fisheries conservation.
• Federation of Fly Fishers (Fly Fishers International): A membership organization for fly fishing conservation and education. FFI shares resources with FCF on fly fishing conservation programs, making it a peer in recreational fisheries community engagement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2783640
• Instagraminstagram.com/fishconserve

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Fisheries Conservation Foundation