Beyond Our Shores
The Beyond Our Shores Foundation, a U.S. and Puerto Rico registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is located in Newport, Rhode Island and was established to engage the public in various programs that gather data on marine fisheries and ocean habitats. The organization strives to provide opportunities for the public, particularly fisherman and their families, to actively participate in educational and meaningful marine science experiences and scientific research.
Their programs focus on the dolphinfish, a finfish species that holds significant economic and ecological importance. This species, also known as "mahi mahi", is commonly served in restaurants, sought after in recreational fishing, and target by commercial fisheries in In the Caribbean Sea and Latin America.
Despite the importance of the dolphinfish, there is limited information available to quantify the species' seasonal and yearly trends and status. Beyond Our Shores aims to advance a multi-national effort in the Caribbean Sea and the greater Western Central Atlantic Ocean to continuously monitor the status of the species.
The Beyond our Shores Foundation is dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of marine fisheries, ocean habitats and the coastal communities they support.
Beyond Our Shores' Work
The following are a couple highlights of the impactful work of the Beyond Our Shores Foundation.
Dolphinfish Research Program
Originally founded as a state funded program in 2002 by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the Dolphinfish Research Program has grown into the world's largest dolphinfish mark and recapture program.
The program aims to:
- Identify spring and fall migration routes
- Document international range
- Identify recreational fishing grounds
- Define temporal and spatial occurrence
- Identify winter grounds for U.S dolphinfish
- Collect data to define critical habitat
- Define relevance of Sargassum
- Collect time-sensitive depth and temperature date
The program has provided fundamental scientific data on the movements and life history of the species. As of 2023, over 23,000 dolphinfish have been marked and released!
The SeasonalCatch Seafood Initiative is a research program intended to gather seafood supply chain information from small-scale fishermen and privately owned seafood restaurants in Puerto Rico. It also aims to promote sustainable commercial fishing and seafood consumption practices, and to inform the public about conservation minded fishermen and restaurants. Menta Cuisine, owned and operated by chef Cedric Taquin, was the first restaurant to participate in the initiative. Chef Taquin, a seasoned fishermen himself, partnered with the Beyond Our Shores Foundation to implement the pilot program and to offer this program to other restaurants and fishermen in Puerto Rico.
SeasonalCatch Seafood Initiative
Join us in supporting Beyond Our Shores
75% of this month's donations will go towards our partner, the Beyond our Shores Foundation.
This month and every month, Wild Boyz Photography will be partnering with one nonprofit. 75% of any donations that we receive during the month will go to the nonprofit. Help Beyond Our Shores continue their mission to conserve and enhance marine fisheries, ocean habitats and the coastal communities they support.