The Madagascar Whale Shark Project Foundation

What The Madagascar Whale Shark Project Foundation does

The Madagascar Whale Shark Project Foundation is a Belgian-registered private nonprofit (registration #0724.642.161) conducting dedicated whale shark research and conservation in Nosy Be, northwest Madagascar. Founded in 2016 by Stella Diamant and co-supervised by Dr. Simon Pierce and Dr. Jeremy Kiszka, the foundation operates a roughly five-person core team supported by student interns, volunteers, and field staff, using a 9.8-meter custom research vessel (Ad Astra) acquired in 2024.

The foundation's core scientific program is built on non-invasive photo-identification using a spot-pattern matching algorithm adapted from NASA's star-mapping technology, supplemented by Vemco V16 acoustic tags, satellite tags, skin biopsies for stable isotope and fatty acid analysis, and genetic sampling. Across eight field seasons, it has individually identified 546 juvenile whale sharks (with 2,096 photo-IDs) and contributed 15+ peer-reviewed publications, including the first research on mobulid rays in Madagascar. A Code of Conduct developed since 2017 was incorporated into Madagascar's inter-ministerial decree (#33636/2023) in December 2023, and project data underpinned the December 2025 Key Biodiversity Area designation for the Tandavandriva–Nosy Be–Baie de Tsimipaika Complex and two Important Shark and Ray Areas.

The foundation operates a hybrid revenue model: donations (PayPal, Belgian bank transfer, ~181 adopters), fee-for-service participation programs (Science Day at €100/person, Science Week, Freedive X Science), grants from organizations including Save Our Seas Foundation, PADI Foundation, Shark Conservation Fund, Rufford Foundation, Georgia Aquarium, and The Explorers Club, and in-kind sponsorship (e.g., Suzuki outboard motors). Distribution runs through direct bookings, three travel agency partners (Whisper & Wild, Aqua Firma, Wild Expeditions), and Freedive Nosy Be. Primary constituents are individual conservation-focused tourists, Malagasy marine science students, local Nosy Be tourism operators, and international research institutions.

Name

The Madagascar Whale Shark Project Foundation

Legal name

The Madagascar Whale Shark Project Foundation

Website

https://madawhalesharks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Madagascar Whale Shark Project Foundation is a Belgian-registered nonprofit operating the only dedicated whale shark research program in Nosy Be, Madagascar, producing photo-ID, tagging, and genetic datasets that have informed national tourism regulation and a 2025 Key Biodiversity Area designation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Research

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Fishing & Spearfishing Charters (recreational/eco-managed) (THAAAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Wildlife & Coastal Nature Tours (Whale/Dolphin Watching, Sea Kayaking) (THAAAEAD), Whale Watching & Marine Mammal Tours (THAAAIAC), Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE), Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB), Marine & Coastal Ecotourism (Diving, Snorkeling, Whale Watching) (THAAAAAJ), Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)

Keywords

• Whale shark research
• Marine conservation program
• Photo-identification science
• Citizen science tourism
• Environmental education

Headquarters

HQ city

Nosy Be

HQ country

Madagascar

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Whale Shark Adoption Programs: Three-tier symbolic adoption program where donors name or sponsor identified whale sharks. Shared adoption (50€) provides naming rights to an existing shark with digital certificate and seasonal updates. Exclusive adoption (230€) allows naming a newly identified shark with twice-seasonal updates. Tagged shark adoption (750€) includes naming a shark with acoustic tag (Vemco V16) for year-round tracking data.
2. Tourism Participation Fees: Fee-for-service research participation programs: Science Day (100€ per person, max 6 people) for day-at-sea research experience; Science Week expeditions through travel partners (Whisper & Wild, Wild Expeditions, Aqua Firma); Freedive X Science weeks through partnership with Freedive Nosy Be (November 2026 dates available).
3. General Donations: Direct monetary donations via PayPal or Belgian bank transfer (BE14 3631 8721 4383). Donations support team salaries, scientific equipment replacement, and annual field season sustainability.
4. Partnerships and Sponsorships: Financial and in-kind support from sponsors including Suzuki (boat motor), The Explorers Club, Save Our Seas Foundation, PADI Foundation, Georgia Aquarium, IUCN, and others. Research grants from various foundations fund specific scientific projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Madagascar Whale Shark Project Foundation operates a collaborative whale shark research and conservation program in Nosy Be, Madagascar, using photo-identification, acoustic and satellite tagging, biopsy and genetic sampling to study population structure and movements. It runs fee-based citizen-science participation trips (Science Day, Science Week, Freedive X Science), a symbolic whale shark adoption program, the Guardians of the Oceans environmental education initiative, and a Code of Conduct now embedded in Madagascar's inter-ministerial decree #33636/2023.

Product overview

The Madagascar Whale Shark Project Foundation operates as a collaborative marine conservation organization rather than a technology product company. Its core offering is a whale shark research and conservation program based in Nosy Be, Madagascar, encompassing scientific field research, environmental education, and sustainable tourism experiences. The Foundation's portfolio includes the scientific research program (photo-identification, acoustic/satellite tagging, genetic sampling), the Guardians of the Oceans environmental education initiative, and the Code of Conduct regulatory framework. Participation programs include Science Day, Science Week, and Freedive X Science field experiences, alongside a Whale Shark Adoption symbolic patronage program and a student internship program for Malagasy scientists.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Guardians of the Oceans: Marine environment education program founded in 2018 by MADA Megafauna and MWSP, targeting communities in Nosy Be to raise awareness about marine biodiversity.

Products and services

• Whale Shark Scientific Research Program Collaborative research program dedicated to establishing the occurrence, residency, and population structure of whale sharks off Nosy Be using photo-identification, acoustic and satellite tagging, biopsy sampling, and genetic analysis. For scientific collaborators, conservation institutions, and the global whale shark research community.
• Guardians of the Oceans Environmental Education Program Marine environment education program targeting communities in Nosy Be to raise awareness about marine biodiversity, with school programs, beach activities, street animations, and young reporters environmental journalism projects. For local communities, children, and school groups.
• Whale Shark Code of Conduct Regulatory framework for whale shark tourism interactions, now officially integrated into Madagascar's inter-ministerial decree #33636/2023, requiring total adherence from all Madagascar tourism operators. For local skippers, guides, and tourism operators in Madagascar.
• Science Day Day-long field experience aboard a research boat with the science team, including photo-identification, biopsy collection, acoustic tag deployment, and prey sampling. Priced at 100€ per person, maximum 6 participants. For individual travelers and citizen scientists.
• Science Week Week-long dedicated research trip with daily presentations, freediving initiation with Freedive Nosy Be, 6 days at sea aboard research boat Ad Astra, and accommodation in a private villa. Limited to 6 participants. For conservation-focused travelers seeking immersive research experience.
• Freedive X Science Week-long program combining freediving skills development with daily participation in whale shark research activities, run in partnership with Freedive Nosy Be. Space limited to 8 people. For freediving enthusiasts who want to develop skills while contributing to research.
• Whale Shark Adoption Program Symbolic adoption program allowing supporters to name or co-sponsor identified whale sharks. Three tiers: Shared adoption (50€), Exclusive adoption (230€), and Exclusive tagged shark adoption (750€). For individual donors and conservation supporters.
• Student Internship Program Training program for Malagasy scientists offering 1-2 internships per year during the field season for Master II thesis students from partner universities (IH.SM, University of Antsiranana, CNRO). Requires 3-month onsite presence in Nosy Be. For marine science students and academic institutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 546 juvenile whale sharks identified in Nosy Be, with none subsequently spotted elsewhere globally
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Les Baleines Rand'eaucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Long-standing local partner that collected first photo-ID data in 2015 and currently hosts the MWSP team and volunteers on their boats. Instrumental to project inception.
• MADA MegafaunacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on volunteer and environmental education program development. Co-founded 'Guardians of the Oceans' environmental education initiative in 2018.
• CetamadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFocuses on humpback whale research and protection. Collaborating with MWSP on operator training and legislative amendments for marine megafauna protection.
• Freedive Nosy BecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal freediving school partnering on Freedive X Science weeks, providing freediving instruction and equipment during whale shark research expeditions.
• KoraiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoral restoration organization. MWSP science day and week participants visit Korai's coral nursery during expeditions.
• Safari BaleineminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal operator on Nosy Komba since 2018, hosting volunteers and supporting operator training sessions.
• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerData sharing to support implementation of Tandavandriva Marine Protected Area and spatial planning projects.
• Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines (IH.SM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner supervising and training master's students for thesis fieldwork in marine megafauna research.
• Centre National de Recherches Océanographiques (CNRO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational research institute collaborating on bachelor student supervision and marine research in Madagascar.
• Dr. Simon J. Pierce (Marine Megafauna Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-supervisor of MWSP from inception (2016), whale shark expert contributing to research methodology and publications.
• Dr. Jeremy J. Kiszka (Florida International University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-supervisor from 2016, marine megafauna specialist supporting research design and scientific publications.
• Marine Conservation Society SeychellescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on first confirmed whale shark movement study between Madagascar and Seychelles (March 2026). Christophe Mason-Parker is listed collaborator.
• Dr. Samantha Reynolds (University of Queensland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific collaborator on whale shark research and publication co-authorship.
• Dr. Pierre Feutry (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific collaborator contributing to genetic/genomic studies of whale shark populations.
• Dr. Guy Stevens (Manta Trust)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific collaborator on mobulid ray research and marine megafauna conservation.
• Dr. Dave Ebert (Lost Sharks Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific collaborator on shark and ray biodiversity research, featured on Beyond Jaws podcast.
• Dr. Johann MouriercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific collaborator contributing to MWSP research and publications.
• Ocean Tracking Network (OTN)coreTechnology or IntegrationGlobal network supporting acoustic tracking infrastructure for whale shark movement studies.
• WhaleShark.org (Global Database)coreTechnology or IntegrationGlobal online database for whale shark sightings and photo-identification, enabling connectivity studies with other regional aggregations.
• Whisper & WildcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTravel agency partner organizing Science Week whale shark expeditions for MWSP (3-11 November 2026).
• Wild ExpeditionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTravel agency offering MWSP-affiliated whale shark freediving expeditions (1-10 December 2026).
• Aqua FirmaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTravel partner offering Madagascar whale shark research and islands marine life expeditions (8-15 October 2026).

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Save Our Seas Foundation: Established marine conservation foundation funding shark, ray, and marine ecosystem projects globally. Active MWSP sponsor; both organizations operate in the same grantmaker–grantee ecosystem and share shark/marine megafauna conservation priorities across multiple ocean regions.
• Wildlife Conservation Society: Large international NGO with marine protected area programs including in Madagascar. Active data-sharing partner with MWSP for the Tandavandriva MPA and spatial planning — overlaps on Madagascar marine conservation policy work and represents a comparable policy-advocacy organization.
• Shark Conservation Fund: Global pooled fund dedicated to shark and ray conservation. Active MWSP financial supporter; comparable funding-pattern organization operating across multiple shark research programs in the same donor ecosystem.
• PADI Foundation: Grantmaking foundation funding dive-related marine conservation and research globally. Active MWSP grant funder; comparable to other foundations in MWSP's funding mix and operates in the same dive-tourism-linked marine science niche.

Direct peers

• Blue Marine Foundation: UK-registered ocean conservation charity focused on marine protected areas and shark/ray protection. Operates a similar small-foundation model with site-based research, policy advocacy, and corporate/grant funding mix — directly comparable in scale and structure to MWSP.
• Marine Megafauna Foundation: Global nonprofit focused on threatened marine megafauna including whale sharks, manta rays, and sea turtles. Direct peer — Dr. Simon Pierce (Marine Megafauna Foundation) has co-supervised MWSP from inception, and both organizations share photo-ID methodology, tagging protocols, and a citizen-science participation model.
• Manta Trust: Charity dedicated to manta and mobulid ray research and conservation globally. Dr. Guy Stevens is an active MWSP scientific collaborator, and both organizations share field sites in the Western Indian Ocean and overlap on mobulid research that MWSP has begun to expand into.
• Marine Conservation Society Seychelles: Seychelles-based marine conservation organization. Co-collaborator on the first confirmed Madagascar–Seychelles whale shark movement study; both organizations run whale shark photo-ID and citizen-science tourism experiences in adjacent Indian Ocean territories.

Regional players

• Les Baleines Rand'eau: Nosy Be-based local partner that originally collected the first whale shark photo-ID data in 2015 and currently hosts MWSP on its boats. Regional peer running whale-focused marine ecotourism in the same Malagasy waters with overlapping customer base.
• Whale Shark & Ocean Research Center (Mexico): Mexico-based nonprofit running long-term whale shark photo-ID, citizen-science tourism trips, and conservation advocacy at the Cancun aggregation. Closest international structural analog — small foundation, photo-ID methodology, code-of-conduct development, paid participation programs — though operating in a different ocean basin.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxAfCcJI8LevtHMBBftIycg
• Facebookfacebook.com/madawhalesharks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/madawhalesharks
• Instagraminstagram.com/madawhalesharks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Madagascar Whale Shark Project Foundation