Fish Safety Foundation Charitable Trust Board

What Fish Safety Foundation Charitable Trust Board does

Fish Safety Foundation Charitable Trust Board (FISH Safety Foundation) is a New Zealand-registered non-profit charitable trust founded in 2016, headquartered in Paraparaumu Beach on the Kapiti Coast, with a team of approximately 15 staff and global associates spanning Bangladesh, Denmark, Canada, South Africa, the UK, the Philippines, Hawai'i, the Caribbean, and Somaliland. The organization is dedicated to improving health, safety, and sustainable development outcomes in the global fishing industry, with a particular focus on the small-scale and artisanal fishing sector in developing countries across Asia, Africa, the Pacific, and the Caribbean. Its core offerings include the FISHER Project, a global accident data management system for fisheries; an AI-powered Voice Reporting tool built in partnership with Parloa that enables illiterate fishers to file accident reports verbally in their native language or dialect; the fishSAFE2025 safety intervention program in Bangladesh; the Saint Lucia Project in the Caribbean; and a suite of training, eLearning, mobile applications (FISHER App and Rescue Zone), and visual safety illustrations co-developed with FAO. The foundation also publishes research, including 'Triggering Death' in Marine Policy (March 2023), which established that annual fisher fatalities exceed 100,000 globally.

The foundation's revenue model is entirely non-commercial, consisting of individual and organizational donations, institutional grants from foundations (Lloyd's Register Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts), bilateral aid agencies (Norad), the FAO, and partnerships with technology providers (Parloa) and rescue platforms (Rescue Zone). All programs, training, and digital tools are delivered free of charge to fishers, with no commercial pricing tiers. Distribution operates through train-the-trainer programs delivered alongside FAO and government fisheries departments, supplemented by the FAO eLearning Academy, mobile applications on Android and iOS, downloadable resources, and content published in multiple languages and culturally adapted through character-based illustrations. Customer and partner segments include small-scale and artisanal fishers (primary beneficiaries), government fisheries and maritime authorities (Sri Lanka, Philippines BFAR, Kenya, Mauritius, Saint Lucia, Pacific Island states), regional fisheries bodies (FAO, BOBP-IGO), and research institutions (Memorial University Marine Institute, University of Southern Denmark's Centre of Maritime Health and Society, PSTU Bangladesh).

Strategic positioning is built around a combination of research-driven advocacy (anchored by the Triggering Death finding), proprietary technology (FISHER and the AI Voice Reporting tool), and convening power across IMO, FAO, LRF, and Pew to promote ratification of core fishing safety treaties including C.188, the Cape Town Agreement, the Port State Measures Agreement, and STCW-F. Key risks include dependence on a concentrated set of institutional funders, a small operating team relative to the breadth of program activity, and the absence of a commercial revenue stream to buffer grant-cycle volatility.

Name

Fish Safety Foundation Charitable Trust Board

Legal name

FISH Safety Foundation

Website

https://fishsafety.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fish Safety Foundation is a New Zealand-registered non-profit that delivers safety training, accident data infrastructure (FISHER), and an AI voice reporting tool to small-scale and artisanal fishers across 10+ countries, working alongside FAO, government fisheries departments, and institutional donors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fishing Safety Non-Profit Services

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

Keywords

• Fishing safety training
• Maritime capacity building
• Accident reporting systems
• Artisanal fisheries advocacy
• Fisher occupational health

Headquarters

HQ city

Waikanae

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and organizational donations support four key areas: safety training programs, safety equipment provision (life jackets, PFDs, emergency beacons, flares), community outreach, and research and development. Donors can specify how their contribution is used. The foundation is a registered non-profit and donations may be tax-deductible.
2. Project Grants and Institutional Funding: Funding from institutional partners including Lloyd's Register Foundation (LRF), Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), Global Ghost Gear Initiative, Ocean Conservancy, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for specific projects such as fishSAFE2025, FISHER Project, REEFFISH Project, and capacity building programs.
3. Technology Services and Consultancy: Technology solutions including eLearning applications, accident reporting apps, and AI voice reporting tools developed for fishing safety. Peter Williams has conducted technology feasibility studies for Lloyd's Register Foundation.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

FISH Safety Foundation is an international non-profit organization that delivers safety training, technology solutions, research, and advocacy programs for small-scale and artisanal fishers worldwide. Its core offerings include the FISHER Project (a global accident data management system), train-the-trainer capacity building programs, eLearning applications hosted on the FAO eLearning Academy, the Rescue Zone mobile application, and an AI-powered voice reporting tool that enables illiterate fishers to report accidents verbally in their native languages. Programs are funded by donations and grants from institutional partners and delivered at no cost to fishers.

Product overview

FISH Safety Foundation operates as a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected safety-focused products and services for the global fishing industry. The core offering is the FISHER Project, a global accident data management system that includes an AI-powered voice reporting tool enabling fishers to report accidents verbally in their native languages. Supporting this platform are e-Learning Applications, Training Portals, and Online Training Tools that deliver educational content. The organization also provides service offerings including Visual Concepts (safety illustrations), Research & Development, Capacity Building (train-the-trainer programs), and Legislation Review. The product suite includes specialized programs like fishSAFE2025 (Bangladesh intervention), Saint Lucia Project, and Safety at Sea Essentials poster series developed in collaboration with FAO. The Rescue Zone app provides community safety features at sea.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FISHER Project: Global accident data management system for the fisheries sector aimed at promoting implementation and harmonisation of fishing accident reporting schemes.
• fishSAFE2025
• Rescue Zone

Products and services

• FISHER Project A global accident data management system for the fisheries sector aimed at promoting, implementing, and harmonizing fishing accident reporting schemes and databases, including both voluntary and formal reporting, and the recording and analysis of casualty data. It enables fishers to report accidents via mobile app and AI voice reporting in their native languages.
• AI Voice Reporting MVP An AI-powered voice reporting tool developed in partnership with Parloa that enables illiterate fishers to report accidents verbally in their own language/dialect. The system uses voice recognition to process audio, recognise keywords, translate to text, and populate the FISHER accident database.
• Rescue Zone App A mobile application developed in collaboration between FSF and Rescue Zone, designed to enhance safety and community at sea by enabling fishermen to access emergency resources and community support features.
• Safety at Sea Essentials A comprehensive series of 13 safety awareness posters developed in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), designed specifically for small-scale fishers covering topics including first aid, fire prevention, and weather awareness.
• e-Learning Applications Interactive platforms providing comprehensive training and educational resources for fishermen to continuously enhance their skills and knowledge, hosted on the FAO eLearning Academy.
• Training Portals User-friendly online portals delivering comprehensive learning modules for essential safety training, providing convenient access for users to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Online Training Tools Videos, quizzes, and practical exercises that engage fishermen with necessary knowledge to handle potential risks and emergencies effectively.
• fishSAFE2025 Safety intervention program for Bangladesh focusing on fishermen in target areas in Barisal, Southern Bangladesh, aimed at improving safety and reducing harm and fatalities through training and equipment provision.
• Saint Lucia Project Projects in the Caribbean region including safety awareness training, capacity building, accident reporting system establishment, and legislative framework enhancement for fishing industry safety. Includes a baseline survey of 100 fishers.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 100,000 fisher fatalities annually — a figure 3-4x higher than previous official estimates of 24,000-32,000
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2023FSF and BOBP-IGO signed an MOU to develop an accident data management system for improving the reporting of accidents in the marine fisheries sector in the Bay of Bengal region. BOBP-IGO member countries include Bangladesh, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, with Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand as co-operating non-contracting parties. Dr P Krishnan (Director, BOBP-IGO) and Eric Holliday (CEO, FSF) signed the MOU in August 2023.
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAO is the primary institutional partner, engaging FSF for multiple projects including: the REEFFISH Project in East Africa (Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar, Kenya, Mauritius), Caribbean safety programs (Saint Lucia and wider Caribbean), Philippines train-the-trainer programs, Near East and Northern Africa training, Pacific Islands programs, and the FISHER Project. FAO features FSF training materials on their eLearning Academy.
• Marine Institute (Memorial University, St John's, Canada)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research project with FSF in the Philippines between September 2018 and February 2019 focused on safety in small scale municipal fishing. The project determined safety training and awareness creation to be the two most needed interventions.
• Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), BangladeshcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPSTU is the in-country host partner for the fishSAFE2025 Bangladesh project. Dr Md. Sazedul Hoque serves as Associate - Bangladesh and provides operational base, key contact, access to fishing communities, document translation, and research supervision. The university was involved in the initial field visits in 2019 and subsequent training workshops.
• The Pew Charitable Trusts (Pew)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPew has partnered with FSF on the Triggering Death research publication and hosted a significant research event in South Africa. Pew co-signed the Letter of Intent with IMO, FAO, LRF, and FSF for the FISHER Project. Pew funds FSF for training workshops in the Pacific region.
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMO co-signed the Letter of Intent with FAO, LRF, Pew, and FSF for the FISHER Project. IMO is actively involved with FSF on promoting international fishing safety treaties including the Cape Town Agreement and STCW-F convention.
• WorldFishminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorldFish (ECOFISH project) participated in FSF activities in Bangladesh, including field visits and community meetings. WorldFish researchers were involved in the Bangladesh safety intervention program and ghost gear assessment.
• Bangladesh Sustainable Coastal and Marine Fisheries Project (BSCMFP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSCMFP participated in donation and motivation ceremonies and field activities in Bangladesh as part of the fishSAFE2025 project, representing the government of Bangladesh's fisheries program.
• Centre of Maritime Health and Society, University of Southern DenmarkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Despena (Debbie) Andrioti Bygvraa serves as Senior researcher and Head of Studies with the Centre of Maritime Health and Society, contributing research expertise on fishermen's occupational health, safety, and human factors.
• Field-Research (UK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr Kate Pike, Director of Field-Research, an associate of FSF, brings interdisciplinary maritime research expertise, particularly in the human side of shipping, seafarer welfare, safety culture, and sustainability. Currently involved in the fishSAFE2025 Bangladesh program.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• WorldFish: An international non-profit research organization working on sustainable aquaculture and small-scale fisheries. Comparable to FSF in operating geographies (Bangladesh, Africa, Pacific), focus on small-scale fisheries, and grant-funded model.
• Global Fishing Watch: Non-profit building transparency through data and technology on fishing activity. Comparable to FSF's FISHER project — both center proprietary data platforms as the lever for safety, compliance, and policy outcomes in fishing.
• Sailors' Society: International maritime welfare charity supporting seafarers and their families through welfare services, education, and crisis response. Closely aligned with FSF's training-and-welfare orientation toward fishing communities.
• Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI): Cross-sector alliance addressing abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear. Active FSF funding partner; comparable in shared focus on gear-related safety risks and small-scale fishing communities.
• Mission to Seafarers: Anglican-originated charity dedicated to welfare and safety of seafarers, including fishers. Similar non-profit, faith- and donor-supported model focused on maritime worker safety and wellbeing.
• Oceana: Largest international ocean conservation advocacy organization. Comparable to FSF in advocacy-led approach to fisheries policy reform and global campaign-driven model.
• International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN): An international NGO network coordinating welfare and assistance services for seafarers, including fishers. Most directly comparable to FSF in mission (maritime worker welfare), non-profit structure, and partnership-driven model.
• Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF): International non-profit campaigning for environmental and human rights in fisheries. Comparable to FSF in combining investigative research, advocacy, and field programs to improve conditions for vulnerable fishers.

Broad incumbents

• International Maritime Organization (IMO): UN specialized agency with global regulatory authority over maritime safety, security, and environmental performance. Comparable as the institutional umbrella for many of the treaties (Cape Town Agreement, STCW-F) FSF advocates for.

Others

• Lloyd's Register Foundation: UK-based safety science charity funding research, fellowships, and projects in maritime safety. Comparable through shared mission (safer seas) and as a current FSF funder co-developing the fishSAFE2025 project.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fish-safety-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Fish Safety Foundation Charitable Trust Board