Overview
What is Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society?
Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society, established in 2014, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization headquartered in Sedro Woolley, Washington. The organization, founded by Annmarie Rieles and Richard Rieles, focuses on scientific research, education, and technology development to mitigate negative impacts of human interactions with marine life, particularly regarding marine mammal entanglement in bottom set fishing gear. They have developed a line less lift bag technology, which eliminates the need for vertical lines and buoys, thereby reducing entanglement risks for critically endangered species such as North Atlantic right whales. This technology is gaining attention and support from various organizations including The Island Foundation, SR 3, NOAA, the Pew Charitable Trust, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Smelts also collaborates with vendors to provide American commerce and easy access to parts and equipment needed for line less lift bag fishing systems. Their board members include Cindy Ellisor, PhD, of Pacific Mammal Research Organization, and Stephanie Norman, DVM, MS, PhD, of Marine Med Organization. Smelts is committed to involving all stakeholders in finding solutions for marine mammal entanglement and the future options available to commercial bottom set fishing. In addition to their line less technology, they have developed ropeless fishing models, such as the Crab Grab, Lobster Raft, Crab Raft, Gillnet Raft, and the Whale Rescue Raft. They have also installed a pressure transducer and a hull-mount directional acoustic transponder and an Edgetech in-hull transducer into a commercial fishing vessel for better conservation of air to their ropeless fishing system. Smelts continues to educate the public about this issue and the potential of a solution and has attended and presented at the Society of Marine Mammalogy Conference 2022 and the Ropeless Consortium Conference 2022. They also train and support commercial fishermen who have been fishing this gear.
Official website here: www.smelts.org
What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?
Charity Navigator Rating: Needs Improvement
The Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society has received a two-star rating from Charity Navigator, indicating a need for improvement in their overall accountability and financial management. With a score of 74%, the organization demonstrates strengths in its governance, such as having a majority of independent board members and a strong policy framework, including conflict of interest and whistleblower policies.
Despite these positives, the organization has significant limitations, particularly in financial transparency, as it has not provided any financial statements, which is a critical aspect of nonprofit accountability. The absence of independent board members further highlights a gap in governance, as this element is essential for maintaining unbiased oversight.
On a more positive note, the organization exhibits a strong program expense ratio of 87.90%, suggesting that a large portion of its expenditures is directed towards its programs, which is beneficial for its mission. However, to improve its rating and overall effectiveness, addressing the financial reporting issues and enhancing board independence should be prioritized.
This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.
Is Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society legitimate?
Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.
Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:
Executive Compensation: $74,334
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $13,271
For more financial information, click here
Official website here: www.smelts.org
What is the mission statement of Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society?
The Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing harmful interactions between humans and marine life. Through scientific research, education, and technology development, Smelts aims to protect marine mammals, particularly whales, from entanglement in fishing gear. The society has developed line-less lift bag technology, which removes the need for vertical lines and buoys in bottom set fisheries, helping to prevent entanglement and injury to marine mammals. Marine scientists have documented the negative impact of traditional fishing methods on marine life, leading to sub-lethal injuries and reduced reproductive capacity. Smelts' line-less technology has gained interest and support from various organizations and institutions, including marine research organizations and government agencies. The society continues to research and develop technologies to prevent marine animal entanglements and has partnered with vendors to provide American-made parts and equipment for its innovative fishing systems.
Official website here: www.smelts.org
Who is the CEO of Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society?
Ann Marie Riels is the President & Treasurer of Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society.
Official website here: www.smelts.org
What is the revenue of Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society?
Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society's revenue in 2022 was $534,849.
Official website here: www.smelts.org
Who are the executives of Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society and what are their salaries?
The average compensation at Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society during 2022 was $21,901. There are 4 employees and 2 volunteers at Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society.
Here are 4 key members and their salaries:
- Compensation: $25,170
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
- Compensation: $49,164
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
Official website here: www.smelts.org
Where can I find the form 990 for Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society?
Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.
Official website here: www.smelts.org
Learn more at the official website: www.smelts.org
Mission Statement of Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society
Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society, or SMELTS, is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 2014 by Annmarie Riels and Richard Riels. The mission of SMELTS is to reduce harmful human-marine life interactions by focusing on the ocean and its global importance to life on Earth. By conducting scientific research, providing education, and developing technology, SMELTS aims to protect marine mammals from negative impacts of human interactions.
Currently, SMELTS is focusing on entanglement prevention in bottom set fishing gear, which has caused harm and even death to various marine animals, including endangered whales and sea turtles. SMELTS' co-founder, Richard Riels, invented line-less lift bag technology to remove the need for vertical lines and buoys in bottom set fisheries. This technology, known as line-free fishing, is designed to offer protection for marine mammals and provide innovative solutions for the commercial fishing industry.
SMELTS' line-less fishing technology has gained significant attention and support from various marine scientists, foundations, and organizations worldwide, including the Island Foundation, SR 3, NOAA, Pew Charitable Trust, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Division of Marine Fisheries Massachusetts, among others. With the help of volunteers Cindy Ellisser, PhD, from Pacific Mammal Research Organization, and Stephanie Norman, DVM, MS, PhD, from Marine Med Organization, SMELTS continues to work on a solution for the issue of marine mammal entanglement and the future options available to commercial bottom set fishing.
SMELTS has partnered with US vendors to provide American commerce and easy access to parts and equipment needed to produce innovative line-less lift bag fishing systems. The organization has set up formal purchasing accounts with these vendors and has had success in finding all the necessary parts and equipment. During the development and testing process, SMELTS has found that its line-less technology has capabilities for many applications in shallow to deep waters by making simple adjustments to its component configurations.
In 2022, SMELTS continued its research on marine animal entanglements from commercial fishing and developed a new technology for the disentanglement team that rescues entangled whales, named the Whale Rescue Raft. SMELTS has also installed a pressure transducer in a commercial fishing vessel to read the seafloor pressure and better control the conservation of air to its ropeless fishing system. SMELTS continues to educate the public on this issue and the potential of a solution, attending and presenting at conferences such as the Society of Marine Mammalogy Conference 2022 and the Rope-less Consortium Conference 2022. SMELTS also trains and supports commercial fishermen who have been fishing this gear.
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Impact
July, 2024
Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society's impact is significant in the realm of marine conservation and animal welfare. Through their research, education, and development of innovative technology, they are actively working to reduce harmful human interactions with marine life, particularly focusing on entanglement prevention for whales and other marine animals in bottom set fishing gear. By inventing the lineless lift bag technology, Smelts is pioneering a solution that removes vertical lines and buoys from bottom set fisheries, thus mitigating the risk of entanglement for critically endangered species like the North Atlantic right whales.
Their efforts have garnered support from various organizations and institutions, indicating the recognition of the importance of their work. Additionally, Smelts is dedicated to educating the public on the issue of entanglement and advocating for the adoption of solutions within the commercial fishing industry. By presenting at conferences, training and supporting fishermen, and developing new technologies like the Whale Rescue Raft, Smelts is actively contributing to the preservation of marine life and promoting sustainable practices in ocean conservation.
This information is meant to be a general summary of Smelts Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.
Financials
This financial information is from Propublica.
Other financial information:
This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.
- Investment Income: $6,831
- Program Service Revenue: $169,875
- Gross Receipts: $534,849
Assets and Liabilities:
- Total Assets: $111,671
- Total Liabilities: -$2,686
- Net Assets: $114,357
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Programs
Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.
FISHING TECHNOLOGY
Revenue
$169,875
Organization Details
Founding Year
2014
Phone
(360) 303-9338Principal Officer
Ann Marie Riels
Main Address
1003 IOWA HEIGHTS ROAD, SEDRO WOOLEY, WA, 98284
Website
www.smelts.orgNTEE Category
Code: D30 - Animals
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