Association AL LARK
Association AL LARK is a French non-profit founded in 2004 in Cancale, Brittany, that studies and protects marine mammals through member-led sea outings, school programs, scientific research (photo-identification, eDNA), and inclusive VR experiences.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersCancale, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Association AL LARK does
Association AL LARK is a French non-profit association (loi 1901) founded in 2004 in Cancale, Brittany, dedicated to the scientific study and public protection of marine biodiversity in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel and the Côte d'Émeraude. The association operates a portfolio of services built around a single physical asset — sea outings from Port-Mer beach using two boats (max 18 participants per excursion) — and layers on top: an EMM'Raude integrated monitoring program combining visual observation, photo-identification of individual dolphins since 2004, and now environmental DNA (ADNe) metabarcoding in partnership with MNHN and INPN. Its go-to-market is community-led and member-driven: annual memberships provide unlimited sea outings from March to November, a dolphin sponsorship program (Parrainage) yields 12-month recurring donations, school animations serve 1,000+ students annually, and corporate RSE partnerships plus a free 360° VR distribution channel (ImMERsion) extend reach into healthcare and disability segments.
Underlying technology is primarily scientific rather than digital: long-running photo-identification catalogs, eDNA metabarcoding pipelines via MNHN, and an emerging DELPHI deep-learning photo-identification prototype under EU-CONEXUS funding with the University of Rostock and EPSI Rennes. Revenue mechanics are diversified across individual memberships (subscription, €16/outing capped at €45/family), general donations and dolphin sponsorships (via HelloAsso, with tax-deductible status from 'd'intérêt général' recognition), corporate partnerships, institutional grants from Région Bretagne, Département d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Ville de Cancale, OFB, and INPN, plus earned income from corporate team-building events. Customer segments span citizen-science members, kindergarten-to-university schools, corporate RSE clients, and healthcare/social establishments. The association holds formal French approvals (Education Nationale, Jeunesse et Éducation Populaire, Protection de l'Environnement via OFB) that gate participation in formal education and grant programs, and is part of an ecosystem of 40+ partner organizations.
Association AL LARK firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Association AL LARK
- Legal name
- Association AL LARK
- Website
- https://al-lark.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Association AL LARK is a French non-profit founded in 2004 in Cancale, Brittany, that studies and protects marine mammals through member-led sea outings, school programs, scientific research (photo-identification, eDNA), and inclusive VR experiences.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Association AL LARK industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Conservation and Environmental Education Services
- NAICS
- Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (4872), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Water Transportation (4400), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Whale Watching & Marine Mammal Tours (THAAAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Marine Wildlife & Coastal Nature Tours (Whale/Dolphin Watching, Sea Kayaking) (THAAAEAD), Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH), Sightseeing & Scenic Boat Tours (Harbor, Sunset, Dolphin/Whale Watching) (THAJAJAA)
Keywords
Where Association AL LARK is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cancale
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Association AL LARK business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Annual membership providing unlimited sea outings during the season from March to November. The membership enables participation in boat excursions for marine mammal observation and data collection.
- Marine Mammal Sponsorship: Personalized donation program where individuals sponsor named dolphins (Grand Dauphins and Dauphins de Risso). Sponsors receive a personalized adoption kit with certificate, identification sheet, and QR code for tracking observations.
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: General donations from supporters. Association is recognized as 'd'intérêt général' allowing tax deductions for donors. Processed via HelloAsso secure platform.
- Corporate Sponsorship and Patronage: Companies provide financial or skills-based support for marine mammal protection programs. Includes visibility benefits, RSE valorization, animations, and conferences for partners.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Membership - unlimited sea excursions |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Marine Mammal Sponsorship/Adoption |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Gift Vouchers |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Association AL LARK product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Association AL LARK runs membership-based sea outings from Cancale (March–November) for marine mammal observation and citizen-science data collection, complemented by school educational animations, public awareness campaigns, and the ImMERsion 360° VR project. It also operates the EMM'Raude monitoring program and research projects ADNe and DELPHI on local cetacean and pinniped populations. A dolphin sponsorship program provides individual donors with personalized adoption kits supporting the scientific work.
Product overview
AL LARK is a non-profit marine conservation association (created 2004) based in Cancale, Brittany, that operates a portfolio of interconnected services focused on marine biodiversity study and protection. Its core offering consists of membership-based sea observation trips for marine mammal observation, supplemented by formal school educational programs and public awareness activities. The association also runs the ImMERsion virtual reality project providing immersive marine experiences to those with limited sea access. Scientific work is centered on the EMM'Raude monitoring program, supported by specialized research projects including ADNe (environmental DNA) and DELPHI (deep learning photo-identification). Individual engagement is facilitated through a dolphin sponsorship program. All activities serve the dual mission of scientific data collection and environmental education.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Sorties en mer (Sea observation trips) Member-based sea outings from Port-Mer beach in Cancale that put participants on 7-8m boats (capacity 18) for observation of cetaceans and pinnipeds in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel and Côte d'Émeraude, while collecting observational data for citizen science.
- Animations scolaires (School programs) Educational animations for school groups from kindergarten through higher education that cover marine biodiversity, the tidal zone, seabirds, dunes, tides, weather, and local maritime history, delivered in schools, at Port-Mer facilities, or during sea trips.
- Sensibilisation (Public awareness activities) Awareness and sensitization activities for the general public, extra-curricular groups, and businesses, including beach cleanups, photo exhibitions, and informational stands at marine and environmental events.
- Projet ImMERsion (360° VR experience) Immersive 360° VR videos of marine biodiversity captured during association activities and distributed free to healthcare and disability establishments so that hospitalized children, people with disabilities, and the elderly can experience marine environments they cannot physically access.
- Parrainage de mammifères marins (Marine mammal sponsorship) 12-month dolphin sponsorship program where individuals adopt a named Grand Dauphin or Dauphin de Risso, receive a personalized certificate and identification sheet, and can follow their animal's observations online via a QR code, with proceeds funding the EMM'Raude scientific program.
- Programme EMM'Raude Integrated monitoring program for marine mammals in the Côte d'Émeraude and Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel that combines visual observation, photo-identification, and genetic approaches, with about two prospection outings per month and seven observers per mission.
- Projet ADNe (Environmental DNA) Environmental DNA project using metabarcoding analysis of seawater samples collected on defined transects to inventory marine mammal species and their prey, run jointly with MNHN and funded through the 2025 INPN call for projects.
- Projet DELPHI EU-CONEXUS-funded research initiative developing a semi-automated photo-identification interface using deep learning, in partnership with the University of Rostock and EPSI Rennes, to reduce manual processing time and human bias in cetacean identification.
Quantifiable outcome
- 752 people sensibilized through educational activities in 2025
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Association AL LARK
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Association AL LARK technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Association AL LARK partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- University of Rostock (Jan Meischner)coreCollaboration on the DELPHI project developing deep learning-based semi-automated photo-identification interface for marine mammals. Part of EU-CONEXUS funded research program.
- MNHN (Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle)coreCollaboration on the ADNe (environmental DNA) project. AL LARK and MNHN won an INPN (Inventaire National du Patrimoine Naturel) call for projects in 2025 for integrated marine mammal monitoring combining visual tracking, photo-identification, and genetic approaches.
- INPN (Inventaire National du Patrimoine Naturel)coreNational Natural Heritage Inventory selected AL LARK's ADNe project for funding in 2025. Project focuses on integrated marine mammal monitoring in Protected Marine Areas.
- IME La Passagère de Saint-MalominorHealthcare establishment collaborating on the ImMERsion VR project to provide immersive marine experiences to children with disabilities.
- Les Ptits Doudous MalouinsminorAssociation at Saint-Malo hospital working with AL LARK on the ImMERsion VR project for hospitalized children.
- Unis pour l'école Virginie HériotminorCoalition working against closure of the only sea class center directly attached to Education Nationale in France.
- Bretagne VivanteminorRegional environmental association within the FAIRE Réseau ensemble network.
- France Nature Environnement (FNE)minorNational environmental federation. AL LARK contributed to documenting illegal eel trafficking case leading to court judgment in May 2026.
- Tara Ocean FoundationminorPart of solidarity networks for marine exploration and ocean education.
- VigiemerminorMarine monitoring and observation network.
- Université de La Rochelle (Pélagis)minorMarine mammal research laboratory partner.
- IfremerminorFrench national research institute for marine science.
- Centre Nautique de CancaleminorShared facilities at Port-Mer beach for water activities including sailing, kayaking, and paddle.
- Office Français de la Biodiversité (OFB)coreGovernment agency for biodiversity. AL LARK holds Environmental Protection approval from OFB.
- Jeunesse et Education PopulairecoreNational youth and popular education approval holder.
- Education NationalecoreOfficial recognition allowing AL LARK to welcome school groups.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Association AL LARK competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- WWF France: National branch of a global NGO with a marine program covering cetacean protection, education and corporate partnerships — competing for the same donor euros, school engagements and brand partnerships as AL LARK.
- Office Français de la Biodiversité (OFB): The government agency that grants AL LARK its environmental protection agrément; they fund and operate the larger national biodiversity programs and could subsume some local scope.
- Surfrider Foundation Europe: European ocean-protection NGO combining volunteer beach cleanups, school education and advocacy — competes with AL LARK for the same volunteer base, school contracts and CSR budgets in coastal France.
Direct peers
- Bretagne Vivante: Regional environmental association within AL LARK's FAIRE Réseau network that runs citizen-science biodiversity inventories and education programs across Brittany — overlapping member base and funding sources.
- Sea Watch Foundation: UK-based charity running volunteer sightings schemes and citizen-science photo-identification of cetaceans — the closest international analogue to AL LARK's EMM'Raude program and membership-led model.
- Observatoire Pélagis (Université de La Rochelle / CNRS): France's national marine mammal observatory conducting strandings monitoring, sightings databases and scientific expertise — AL LARK's listed research partner and operational counterpart for cetacean data in French waters.
- Globice: Reunion-based NGO that studies and protects marine mammals around the Indian Ocean through photo-identification and public awareness — same scientific-plus-citizen-science hybrid model as AL LARK.
- TETHYS - Mediterranean Institute for Cetacean Studies: Non-profit dedicated to scientific study and conservation of Mediterranean cetaceans via photo-identification and public outreach — directly comparable scientific and educational operating model in a different European sea.
Others
- Ifremer: France's national marine science institute and a listed AL LARK research partner — an upstream ecosystem participant providing data and infrastructure rather than competing for members.
Regional players
- Pelagos Sanctuary (Agreement Secretariat): Intergovernmental agreement for Mediterranean marine mammal protection, with overlapping cetacean monitoring mission in a French-influenced marine corridor adjacent to AL LARK's Atlantic scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Association AL LARK social profiles
Digital presenceAssociation AL LARK financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Association AL LARK leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Association AL LARK funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Association AL LARK M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Association AL LARK
What does Association AL LARK do?
Association AL LARK runs membership-based sea outings from Cancale (March–November) for marine mammal observation and citizen-science data collection, complemented by school educational animations, public awareness campaigns, and the ImMERsion 360° VR project. It also operates the EMM'Raude monitoring program and research projects ADNe and DELPHI on local cetacean and pinniped populations. A dolphin sponsorship program provides individual donors with personalized adoption kits supporting the scientific work.
Is Association AL LARK a public or private company?
Association AL LARK is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Association AL LARK founded?
Association AL LARK was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Association AL LARK based?
Association AL LARK is headquartered in Cancale, France, in the Europe region.
How does Association AL LARK make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are marine Mammal Sponsorship, donations and Charitable Contributions and corporate Sponsorship and Patronage.
Who are Association AL LARK's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are WWF France, Office Français de la Biodiversité (OFB) and Surfrider Foundation Europe. Direct peers are Bretagne Vivante, Sea Watch Foundation, Observatoire Pélagis (Université de La Rochelle / CNRS), Globice and TETHYS - Mediterranean Institute for Cetacean Studies. Ifremer is listed as an others. Pelagos Sanctuary (Agreement Secretariat) is listed as a regional player.
Does Association AL LARK have an API?
No public API is recorded for Association AL LARK.
What industry is Association AL LARK in?
Association AL LARK's product category is Marine Conservation and Environmental Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAIAC, Whale Watching & Marine Mammal Tours, with a secondary code of THAAAEAD, Marine Wildlife & Coastal Nature Tours (Whale/Dolphin Watching, Sea Kayaking). Its NAICS code is 4872 and its SIC code is 7900.