Marine Megafauna Foundation

What Marine Megafauna Foundation does

Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) is a US-registered 501(c)(3) marine conservation non-profit founded in 2003, headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, with a regional research hub in Tofo Beach, Mozambique. It conducts scientific research and policy advocacy to protect endangered marine megafauna, primarily manta rays and whale sharks, across four continents including the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Its core outputs include peer-reviewed publications, novel species discovery, instrumented international protections, and educational programs targeting schools and coastal communities.

MMF's technology stack is built around non-invasive field research methods — satellite tagging, photo-identification, laser measurement, biochemical ecology, non-invasive DNA sampling, and underwater ultrasound — and is operationally extended through citizen science platforms MantaMatcher.org and Sharkbook.ai, which use computer vision to match individual manta rays and whale sharks from contributor photos. These platforms support the Florida Manta Project (2016), Indonesia programs (active since 2012 with universities including Udayana and Murdoch), a global Whale Shark Program with field sites in Tanzania, Madagascar, Galapagos, Oman, and Mozambique, and a Microplastics & Megafauna project in the Coral Triangle.

The organization generates revenue through a diversified, non-profit model: tax-deductible donations processed via Donorbox, monthly memberships ($10–$100) and annual memberships ($500–$5,000), symbolic adoptions (whale shark and manta ray at $39; Florida-specific at $50 and $200), customized research expedition trips (Raja Ampat, Komodo, Alor, Ambon) with 100% of profit funding research, $500 virtual talks with Dr. Simon Pierce, and a cause-marketing apparel partnership with Waterlust. Major institutional funding comes from foundations and embassies including the Embassy of Ireland, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Blue Action Fund, Shark Conservation Fund, Rufford Foundation, and the Turing Foundation. Customer segments span individual ocean-lover donors, government agencies and MPA managers, coastal communities and ecotourism operators, educators, and corporate partners.

Name

Marine Megafauna Foundation

Legal name

Marine Megafauna Foundation

Website

https://marinemegafauna.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Marine Megafauna Foundation is a 501(c)(3) marine conservation non-profit that researches and protects endangered manta rays and whale sharks across four continents, generating revenue through donations, adoptions, memberships, and grant-funded research programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Research & Non-Profit Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH), Guided Diving & Snorkeling Excursions (boat/shore trips) (THAAAIAB)

Keywords

• Marine conservation research
• Whale shark protection
• Manta ray conservation
• Marine protected areas
• Citizen science platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

West Palm Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations: One-time and recurring tax-deductible donations from individual supporters. MMF is a registered 501(c)(3) in the USA (EIN 46-0645082). The donation page emphasizes protecting endangered marine species and critical marine habitats.
2. Membership Program: Monthly or annual recurring membership contributions from a passionate community of ocean lovers. Monthly tiers at $10, $25, $50, $100. Annual tiers at $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000. Provides reliable year-round funding for long-term conservation planning.
3. Whale Shark Adoption: Symbolic adoption of whale sharks for $39, providing a personalized adoption certificate, monthly research updates, optional birthday e-card, and tax-deductible receipt.
4. Manta Ray Adoption: Symbolic adoption of manta rays for $39, providing a personalized e-certificate, birthday e-card option, and quarterly magazine updates.
5. Research Expedition Trips: Fully customised MMF research expeditions to manta ray and whale shark hotspots including Raja Ampat, Komodo to Bali, Alor to Ambon, and Ambon to Raja Ampat. 100% of profit supports marine research.
6. Virtual Talks with Dr. Simon Pierce: Virtual live sessions with Dr. Simon Pierce at $500 per session (tax-deductible donation), with 100% of proceeds supporting the Global Whale Shark Program. Sessions are 1 hour including Q&A.
7. Waterlust Merchandise Partnership: Waterlust sells environmentally-responsible apparel in the MMF whale shark collection, donating 10% of profits plus an additional 20% when using MMF referral, supporting the Global Whale Shark Program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Marine Megafauna Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that conducts scientific research and conservation programs to protect endangered marine megafauna, principally manta rays and whale sharks, across Mozambique, Indonesia, Florida, and other global sites. It funds this work through individual donations, symbolic animal adoptions, recurring memberships, customized dive expeditions, and project grants. Public engagement is supported via citizen science platforms (MantaMatcher.org, Sharkbook.ai), educational lesson plans, and a UNESCO-recognized Ocean Guardians program.

Product overview

The Marine Megafauna Foundation is a globally recognized marine conservation non-profit operating a portfolio of interconnected programs, adoption products, and educational resources. Core offerings include symbolic adoption programs for manta rays and whale sharks ($39 each), MMF Membership (monthly $10-$100 or annual up to $5,000), and customized dive expeditions (100% profit funds research). Research programs span geographic regions including Mozambique (the organization's birthplace), Indonesia, Florida, and global whale shark research, supported by citizen science databases including MantaMatcher.org for rays, Sharkbook.ai for whale sharks, and Internet of Turtles for sea turtles. Educational products include the UNESCO-recognized Ocean Guardians Program and grade-specific lesson plans (Manta Rays & Ocean Plastics for grades 3-8). The organization also publishes Ocean Giants Magazine quarterly and has developed specialized research tools including photo recognition systems for population tracking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Whale Shark Adoption Program Symbolic adoption program supporting MMF's Global Whale Shark Program. Includes personalized adoption certificate, monthly research updates, and optional birthday e-card for $39.
• Manta Ray Adoption Program Symbolic adoption program funding MMF's manta ray research and conservation. Includes personalized e-certificate and birthday e-card option for $39.
• MMF Membership Program Monthly membership program with contribution tiers of $10, $25, $50, or $100 per month, plus annual options up to $5,000. Provides reliable year-round funding for long-term conservation planning.
• MMF Dive Expeditions Fully customized diving expeditions to manta ray aggregation sites including Raja Ampat, Komodo to Bali, Alor to Ambon, and Ambon to Raja Ampat. 100% of profit supports marine research.
• Global Whale Shark Research & Conservation Program World-leading research program focused on developing innovative conservation strategies for whale sharks, with active projects in Tanzania, Madagascar, Galapagos, Oman, and Mozambique.
• Florida Manta Project First dedicated study of Florida's manta rays, studying both a rare nursery habitat in south Florida and a seasonal adult aggregation in central Florida. Uses drones, aerial surveys, and satellite telemetry.
• Indonesia Marine Research Projects Ground-breaking marine research across the Indonesian archipelago since 2012, including manta ray movement studies, microplastics research, and sea turtle projects in the Coral Triangle.
• Microplastics & Megafauna Project Research project studying impacts of marine plastic pollution on manta rays and whale sharks in Indonesia and the Philippines. Estimates filter-feeders ingest ~60 pieces of plastic per hour (manta rays) and ~140 pieces per hour (whale sharks).
• Mozambique Marine Research & Conservation Projects Ground-breaking research and conservation along Mozambique's coastline since 2003, focused on manta rays, whale sharks, bull sharks, rhino rays, sea turtles, and the Bazaruto Seascape.
• Manta Rays & Ocean Plastics Lesson Plans Science lesson plans for elementary (grades 3-5) and middle school (grades 6-8) covering manta ray biology, microplastics, and marine conservation threats. Aligned to Florida State Standards and NGSS.
• Ocean Guardians Program UNESCO-recognized educational program teaching children and young adults about marine conservation and water safety in Mozambique. Goal is to inspire the next generation of ocean protectors.
• MantaMatcher.org Global citizen science database for manta ray sightings, allowing researchers and the public to report and match individual manta ray identifications.
• Virtual Whale Shark Talks with Dr. Simon Pierce Virtual live 1-hour sessions (Zoom) with Dr. Simon Pierce including Q&A at $500 per session, with 100% of proceeds supporting the Global Whale Shark Program. Sessions can be customized to focus on areas of particular interest.

Quantifiable outcome

• Co-authored the first-ever scientific textbook on whale sharks, published 2021
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability2 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Murdoch UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMMF collaborates with Murdoch University on the Microplastics & Megafauna project in Indonesia. Researchers from Murdoch contribute to studies on microplastic pollution impacts on manta rays and whale sharks, combining academic rigor with MMF's field research capabilities.
• Udayana UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMMF partners with Udayana University (Bali, Indonesia) for marine research and has run a joint marine science internship program since 2016. The partnership builds scientific capacity within Indonesia and supports field research in the Coral Triangle.
• Large Marine Vertebrate Project Philippines (LAMAVE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMMF collaborates with LAMAVE on the Microplastics & Megafauna project, extending research across Indonesia and the Philippines within the Coral Triangle, the planet's most biodiverse marine region.
• WaterlustcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWaterlust sells MMF-branded whale shark collection merchandise, donating 10% of all profits plus an additional 20% when customers use MMF's referral link. This is a cause-marketing partnership providing ongoing revenue and brand visibility.
• Big Fish DivingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIn-country dive operator partner supporting MMF's Indonesia marine research operations in Raja Ampat and surrounding areas.
• Blue Corner DiveminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIn-country dive operator partner in Indonesia supporting MMF's research and conservation fieldwork.
• Coralia LiveaboardminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLiveaboard dive operator partner in Indonesia supporting MMF's research expeditions and fieldwork.
• Papua ExplorersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIn-country dive resort partner in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, supporting MMF research operations.
• SEA Center Raja AmpatminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRaja Ampat marine conservation center partner supporting MMF's research in the region.
• Scuba Junkie Dive ResortsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKomodo-based dive resort partner supporting MMF's research in Komodo National Park.
• University of PapuaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in Indonesia supporting MMF's marine research and conservation capacity building in the region.
• Yayasan Megafauna LautminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Indonesian marine conservation foundation partner supporting MMF's in-country operations and research.
• The Field SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator on the Florida Manta Project, contributing to citizen science, educational outreach, and research activities in Florida.
• NOAAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMMF contributes data to NOAA for Section 7 compliance under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, helping determine what projects may affect manta rays and how to mitigate those effects. This is a key government partnership for species protection.
• Georgia AquariumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator on the Florida Manta Project, providing research support and expertise for Florida manta ray conservation.
• Bazaruto Archipelago National ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal collaboration with Bazaruto Archipelago National Park in Mozambique, working to ensure conservation management plans are guided by MMF's scientific research.
• Vilanculos Wildlife SanctuarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal collaboration with Vilanculos Wildlife Sanctuary in Mozambique's Bazaruto Seascape for marine conservation and research.
• ANAC (Mozambican National Administration for Conservation Areas)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal collaboration with Mozambican government conservation authority to guide national, provincial, and local conservation management plans based on MMF's scientific data.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• WildAid: WildAid runs marine wildlife protection campaigns focused on sharks, rays, and sea turtles, with overlapping scientific, advocacy, and donor-engagement activities. Comparable programmatic scope in marine megafauna.
• Shark Research Institute: SRI is a nonprofit conducting global shark and ray research, tagging, and policy advocacy. Overlaps directly with MMF on whale shark and manta ray population monitoring, photo-ID methodology, and IUCN Red List assessments.
• Manta Trust: Manta Trust is the closest direct peer: a UK-registered nonprofit also focused exclusively on manta ray research, conservation, and citizen science. Both organizations publish peer-reviewed manta ray research, run photo-ID databases, and advocate CITES protections, competing for the same scientific and donor mindshare.
• Blue Marine Foundation: Blue Marine is a UK-based ocean conservation foundation focused on establishing marine protected areas and supporting sustainable fisheries, with comparable programmatic focus on MPAs and donor-driven conservation funding models.

Broad incumbents

• Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC): WDC is a long-established marine mammal charity with global research and advocacy programs. Overlaps with MMF on cetacean/megafauna conservation science and shared membership/donation GTM motion.
• Oceana: Oceana is the largest international ocean conservation advocacy organization, running policy campaigns on fisheries, bycatch, and marine protected areas. It overlaps with MMF's MPA and CITES advocacy work but at vastly greater scale and budget.
• Sea Shepherd Conservation Society: Sea Shepherd is a global marine conservation organization running direct-action campaigns and dolphin/whale shark protection programs, sharing donor and advocacy overlap with MMF's marine megafauna mission.

Emerging players

• Reef World Foundation: Reef World works on coral reef conservation and sustainable diving tourism, intersecting with MMF's dive-expedition GTM motion and Indonesia/Coral Triangle geographic footprint.
• SeaLegacy: SeaLegacy is a marine conservation nonprofit using storytelling, photography, and expeditions to drive ocean protection, with overlapping donor base of ocean-engaged individuals and similar expedition/membership revenue model.

Regional players

• Coral Triangle Center: Coral Triangle Center is an Indonesia-based regional marine conservation nonprofit focused on MPA capacity building in the Coral Triangle, directly overlapping MMF's Indonesia programs and partnerships with local universities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MarineMegafauna
• Facebookfacebook.com/MarineMegafauna
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marine-megafauna-foundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Marine Megafauna Foundation