Frequently Asked Questions
If the question below is not answered with enough detail, please feel free to contact us.
No. Currently, fish will be received by the processing facility (5 Star Processing) as whole fish.
F3G wishes to discourage excessive fish killing. Therefore, we prefer not to give out any tax deduction information and receive fish solely on a donation basis. However, as a 501(c)3 organization, your donation may qualify as a charitable donation. Be sure to receive a donation receipt when you donate your fish. You are responsible for speaking to a tax professional about your particular situation. We are sorry but we’ve been strongly advised not to offer any tax donation advice.
Yes! F3G has been approved for tax exempt status under IRS’s 501(c)3 rules. Donations of cash and other items will fall under the IRS guidelines for tax deductible donations.
F3G has partnered with 5 Star Processing who will fillet and vacume seal the fish into 2 pound packets. There will also be some fish kept whole so some charities can teach residents how to fillet the fish, thereby teaching them a marketable skill.
Instead of depositing this organic material into our nearly full landfills (which have already exceeded capacity), F3G has partnered with local lobster and crab fisherman who will exchange empty bins for full ones. These lobster and crab fisherman will reintroduce the heads and guts back into the ocean as bait within their traps. Several small animals will benefit from the reintroduction of this “food” into the ocean including lobsters and crabs too small to keep.
Yes, as long as the fish are fresh. Please call 5 Star Processing for directions and hours of operation (619) 299-9996.
The short answer is: ABSOLUTELY NOT! Even though I only received this question twice when the charity was first began I feel it’s important to address this question head on vs. allowing there to be any room for debate. I’d like to first thank those voicing concern for the fish populations or the decline thereof. My calm reply to the F3G naysayers is if they would genuinely like to help save fish, to thwart humans from excessive killing of fish (migratory pelagic fish) they might want to think about redirecting their concerns, their energy towards the commercial fishermen. FACT: Of all the migratory pelagic fish caught, less than 1% are killed by sport fishermen. In other words, over 99% of the fish killed are killed by commercial fishermen that use long lines, trawlers, and purse seiners! The tiny amount of donated fish F3G receives is literally a drop in the ocean. F3G’s donated fish go directly to feeding local San Diegans in need. I believe F3G creates a great platform to discuss the fact sport fishermen are NOT the ones overly taxing our oceans. Sport fishermen are, for the most part, defenders of fish populations, advocates for the “sport” of fishing (look at the proliferation of the circle hook usage), the clean outdoors and the enjoyment of catching your own meal. Sport fishermen are NOT the ones killing entire schools of tuna like the purse seiners. Sport fishermen are NOT placing thousands of baited hooks on a single line miles long needlessly killing “by-catch.” Sport fishermen and sport fishing should be celebrated. I feel F3G is a positive story, a positive program and I appreciate everyone’s support.” -Todd, F3G Founder