promoting the sustainable use of natural resources
About Us
Saltwater Inc. was started in 1988 in response to the growing need for data about the fisheries off Alaska. We were one of the first companies to be certified by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) (1988) and by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (1989) to employ trained biologists to collect data onboard fishing vessels. In 1990-1, NMFS awarded a contract to Saltwater to design and implement a marine mammal observer program in Prince William Sound, Alaska.
Since that time Saltwater has focused on collecting accurate, reliable scientific data under some extreme conditions to answer a variety of research questions. Saltwater has expertise in recruiting, hiring, employing, managing, insuring, and deploying biologists. We have years of experience in planning and executing complex and time sensitive logistics to meet sampling goals. We also have years of experience in editing data and writing reports.
Saltwater has worked in the Alaska groundfish and the Alaska shellfish observer programs since their inception 20 years ago. In addition, we have worked on a variety of contracts for foundations and government agencies. We have recently completed working on one contract for NMFS: an Alaska marine mammal observer program (2006-2008), and are currently working on a second NMFS contract: the Pacific Islands observer program off Hawaii (2008-2013).
Each year more than one hundred private and government clients select Saltwater Inc. as their observer contractor in a hotly competitive environment. Our clients range from small boats to 600-ft floating processors to shore plants across Alaska to government agencies with multi million dollar projects. This broad array of clients choose Saltwater because of:
- Our ability to recruit, hire, and retain the best biologists.
- Our expertise in complex and time sensitive logistics.
- Our extensive field support including experienced coordinators in Anchorage, Kodiak, Dutch Harbor, and Honolulu.
- Our reputation for providing unparalleled customer service 24/7.
Observers choose to work with Saltwater Inc. because:
- Our observers are the backbone of our business and we treat them accordingly-as respected members of our team.
- Our observer coordinators are individuals who were outstanding observers themselves. Because of their own experience doing the work, they are in a unique position to support observers in the field.
- Saltwater offers competitive salaries and an exceptional benefits package.
- Our technical support for observers includes housing in Anchorage, Dutch Harbor, Seattle, Kodiak and Honolulu.
- Saltwater offers a wide array of observing opportunities, and we give prior Saltwater observers the first pick of assignments.
Corporate Citizenship
One of our goals at Saltwater Inc. is to make the world a better place. For us that means providing a supportive environment for our employees, producing useful work, and contributing to the larger world. We are proud of the work we do as an observer company in promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. We are also proud to support charitable organizations that share our goals to work both locally and globally to make the world a better place. Here's a rundown of the groups we support and the work they do:
KSKA, Public Radio, Alaska. We believe that National Public Radio (NPR) provides an important and unique voice on news and public affairs. Saltwater Inc. contributes to NPR nationally and sponsors "The Alaska Fisheries Report", a program about marine affairs in Alaska.
Eccentric Theater Company, Anchorage. Creativity is important in the arts as well as in science. We are proud to promote this small theater company and salute them for their innovative and high quality theater productions.
Anchorage Opera, Anchorage. Saltwater Inc. sponsors the Opera's dress rehearsal program, which gives grade school students the opportunity to attend an opera for free. We believe the arts as well as science are critical to our society, and opera is a place where children can experience both music and magic.
The Nature Conservancy. Saltwater Inc. believes strongly that protecting our oceans is critical to the future of the planet. We support the Conservancy's "Save the Reefs" program, which protects coral reefs around the world. Currently, the Conservancy is focused on the 33,000 square miles of coral reefs off Indonesia, which is one of the world's centers of marine diversity.
FINCA International. Saltwater Inc. appreciates all of the people who have given us a chance, and celebrate FINCA's effort to do the same for some of the poorest people on the planet. FINCA provides micro loans for poor women in developing countries, so they can start their own businesses and become self-sufficient.
ASHOKA International. One of our favorite sayings is, "If you think you're too small to make a difference, try spending the night in a room with a mosquito". Saltwater knows that one person really can make a difference, and salutes ASHOKA for finding and supporting particularly talented individuals worldwide who have unprecedented ideas for change in their communities.
Trustees for Alaska is a nonprofit public interest law firm providing legal counsel to protect and sustain Alaska's natural environment.
