Why Fish For Teeth?
In addition to donations from people like you, Fish for Teeth receives its funding from opportunities for “cash-outs” from the commercial fishing industry. For example, in the Bristol Bay salmon fishery (a healthy and sustainable resource) so many fish return that the processors cannot keep up with the fishermen’s catch. Sometimes the fishermen are put on a catch limit, and if the fishermen exceed this limit they are offered to donate the proceeds of that over-limit fish to a charity of their choice, like Fish for Teeth.
Fishermen, Dentists & Community
Fish For Teeth is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (20-8601854) started by a commercial fisherman and working with dentists and community members in San Juan County. Our goal is simply to provide dental care to those who cannot afford it.
Think Fish.
Mission Statement
The purpose of Fish for Teeth is to provide dental care, prevention, and education to children living in San Juan County, and other communities as they become involved, whose families do not have the means to maintain proper dental health care. This scope of “childhood” shall include children and teens up to age 18, young adults with an emphasis on those pursuing higher education either at university or trade school, or worthy adults who actively give of themselves to benefit the community in which they live. While following this mission, Fish for Teeth shall bring attention to the benefits of commercial fishing such as harvesting from sustainable resources in a manner with zero to low impact on the environment, bringing this harvest to people who otherwise would have no way of enjoying this healthful and delicious food, and stimulating local economies including the positive influence of fisheries on local businesses and ports which fishers patronize.
Another opportunity exists in the Southeastern Alaskan halibut fishery, which also catches a limited number of rockfish. These rockfish are abundant in their numbers, are not over fished, and are closely managed. The fishermen are allowed to sell a limited number of rockfish they may catch when catching their halibut. If they catch more than this number, they can donate them to a charity of their choice, like Fish for Teeth.
