ROB STEWART SHARKWATER FOUNDATION

What ROB STEWART SHARKWATER FOUNDATION does

The Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation is a Canadian non-profit charitable foundation established in 2018 in North York, Ontario, following the January 2017 death of filmmaker Rob Stewart. The foundation continues Stewart's mission of shark and ocean conservation through a portfolio that includes three internationally award-winning documentary films (Sharkwater, Revolution, Sharkwater Extinction — collectively viewed by 130+ million people and awarded 200+ international prizes), advocacy campaigns (Shark Free, Fin Free, Climate Shark), the United Conservationists grassroots platform, Sharkwater VR educational experiences, and downloadable curriculum study guides.

The foundation's technology footprint is content-led rather than software-led: documentary distribution is handled through Amazon Prime (global) and Crave (Canada), with free educational licensing in multiple languages; merchandise is sold through a Shopify storefront; and Sharkwater VR provides immersive underwater experiences for classroom and event use. The Sharkwater films are credited with catalyzing regulatory outcomes including Canada's Bill C-68, the U.S. Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act, the California Drift Net Ban, CITES Mako protections (2019), and shark fishing bans in Colombia and Mozambique.

The organization operates with 1–10 employees under Executive Director Lana Brandt (appointed June 2021) and Board Chair Sandy Stewart. Revenue is generated through individual donations (separate Canada and USA/International funnels), branded merchandise sales, and corporate partnerships including a LUSH Shark Fin Soap arrangement that channels 100% of campaign proceeds to the foundation. Distribution is community- and event-led, combining grassroots volunteer organizing with film festival premieres, celebrity ambassadors, and partnerships with established conservation organizations such as For the Oceans Foundation, Fins Attached, Sea Shepherd, WildAid, and Oceana.

Name

ROB STEWART SHARKWATER FOUNDATION

Legal name

Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation

Website

https://robstewartsharkwaterfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation is a Canadian non-profit foundation that advances shark and ocean conservation through documentary films, advocacy campaigns (Shark Free, Fin Free, Climate Shark), and educational programs, serving individual donors, policymakers, schools, and the cosmetics industry globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Nonprofit

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)

Keywords

• Ocean conservation nonprofit
• Shark conservation advocacy
• Documentary filmmaking education
• Marine ecosystem protection
• Wildlife policy advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

North York

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations: The foundation accepts donations from individuals worldwide, with separate donation pages for Canada and USA/International supporters, operating as a registered charity.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise through rob-stewart-sharkwater.myshopify.com online store
3. Lush Shark Fin Soap Partnership: 100% of proceeds from LUSH's Shark Attack and Healthy Oceans campaigns, including limited edition Shark Fin Soap, go to the foundation

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation is a non-profit conservation organization that advances shark and ocean protection through international award-winning documentary films (Sharkwater, Revolution, Sharkwater Extinction), consumer and industry advocacy campaigns (Shark Free, Fin Free, Climate Shark), and educational tools including Sharkwater VR and downloadable study guides. It distributes films via streaming platforms (Amazon Prime globally, Crave in Canada), sells branded merchandise, and accepts donations to fund grassroots organizing and legislative advocacy.

Product overview

The Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation is a non-profit conservation organization offering a portfolio of documentary films (Sharkwater, Revolution, Sharkwater Extinction), advocacy campaigns (Shark Free, Fin Free, Climate Shark), educational programs (Sharkwater VR, downloadable study guides), and the United Conservationists platform. The films serve as the core awareness vehicle, the campaigns drive policy change and consumer action, and the educational tools support grassroots organizing and outreach efforts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sharkwater (Documentary Film) Award-winning 2007 documentary film that brought the devastating issue of shark finning to the world stage, premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival and winning over 80 awards globally.
• Revolution (Documentary Film) Groundbreaking 2012 documentary that was the first feature film to alert the world to the catastrophic effects of carbon emissions and ocean acidification on marine ecosystems.
• Sharkwater Extinction (Documentary Film) Third documentary film (2018), released posthumously, revealing the billion-dollar industries driving shark slaughter and addressing shark finning, shark products in cosmetics, food, pet foods, and fertilizer. Available on Crave (Canada) and Amazon Prime worldwide.
• Shark Free Campaign Global initiative to keep sharks out of cosmetic and personal care products by encouraging manufacturers to remove shark squalene and shark-derived ingredients. Over 100 brands have declared shark-free status.
• Fin Free Campaign Global campaign founded by United Conservationists in 2010 to ban the trade, sale, and possession of shark fin products worldwide through advocacy, petitions, and grassroots organizing.
• United Conservationists A 501(c)(3) nonprofit platform providing everyday people with tools, media, online communities, and action plans to be effective advocates for protection of local and global ecosystems.
• Education Study Guides Downloadable primary and secondary education guides for teachers to use Sharkwater films for educational presentations at schools and events.
• Sharkwater VR Virtual reality underwater experience developed for educational purposes, allowing immersive exploration of shark habitats for educational screenings.
• Newsletter Subscription Email newsletter service sending critical revolution alerts and updates on foundation activities to subscribers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 countries banned shark finning; 41 countries banned shark fin trade entirely
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 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

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• For the Oceans FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 August 2022Five-year partnership agreement with For the Oceans Foundation (Costa Rica), Fins Attached Marine Research and Conservation (Colorado), and United Conservationists (California) to join forces in marine conservation. Coalition includes initiatives to combat illegal fishing, climate change effects, species protection, scientific research, and environmental education programs.
• Fins Attached Marine Research and ConservationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 August 2022Five-year partnership to conduct research, promote conservation, provide education, and protect endangered marine life. Coalition focuses on Eastern Pacific region including waters from California to Chile.
• United Conservationists, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 August 2022Long-standing partnership with United Conservationists (US 501(c)(3) based in Venice, California), co-founded by Rob Stewart. Provides communication and planning tools for ecosystem protection, runs Fin Free movement.
• Lush CosmeticscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for Shark Fin Soap - 100% of proceeds from LUSH's Shark Attack and Healthy Oceans campaigns go to the foundation. Limited edition Shark Fin Soap bars available across North America for $5.95.
• One Percent for the PlanetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnvironmental partner member, allowing foundation to receive donations from One Percent for the Planet members
• Sea ShepherdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner organization that has collaborated with Team Sharkwater, including during the search for Rob Stewart after his diving accident
• WildAidminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization that partnered with Rob Stewart's work on shark conservation
• OceanaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational ocean conservation organization that has worked alongside Team Sharkwater on advocacy campaigns
• Sir Richard BransonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJoined Sharkwater expedition in British Virgin Islands from his Necker Island property. Has been an advocate for ocean conservation since seeing Sharkwater and launching Ocean Elders initiative.
• Virgin UniteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirgin Group's environmental arm, part of the network of conservation organizations supporting the foundation's mission

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Oceana: The largest international ocean-focused advocacy organization, directly comparable to the Sharkwater Foundation in marine conservation mission, policy advocacy work, and donor-supported non-profit model. Oceana has driven similar shark fin ban legislation and runs comparable campaigns targeting ocean ecosystem protection.
• WildAid: Wildlife conservation organization with a major shark protection program and explicitly named partner of the Sharkwater Foundation. Comparable donor-funded model, celebrity ambassador strategy, and media-driven awareness campaigns targeting wildlife trade and consumption.
• Sea Shepherd Conservation Society: Direct peer in marine conservation advocacy and listed as a partner organization of the Sharkwater Foundation. Sea Shepherd runs direct-action campaigns protecting marine species including sharks, comparable in mission and grassroots supporter model.
• Shark Allies: Smaller shark-focused nonprofit advocating for shark conservation policies and protections. Direct peer in niche mission and advocacy approach, though with less of a film/media-driven engagement model than the Sharkwater Foundation.
• Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation: UK-based shark and marine conservation charity focused on reducing demand for shark products and influencing legislation. Comparable mission, similar donation-driven funding model, and parallel advocacy on the consumer-demand side of shark fin trade.
• Shark Research Institute: Specialized nonprofit dedicated to shark conservation, science, and public education. Highly comparable niche focus on shark species protection, global advocacy, and educational outreach, though with a stronger research orientation than the Sharkwater Foundation.

Broad incumbents

• Project AWARE Foundation: Established scuba diver-led marine conservation nonprofit with broad ocean protection mandate including shark and ray conservation. Comparable donor and volunteer model, though operating at significantly larger scale and broader scope than the Sharkwater Foundation.
• IUCN Shark Specialist Group: Global scientific authority on shark species conservation status and policy recommendations. Comparable in driving international shark protection policy (including CITES listings), though operates through scientific assessment rather than public-facing campaigns.

Regional players

• David Suzuki Foundation: Major Canadian environmental nonprofit where David Suzuki is publicly quoted endorsing Rob Stewart's work. Comparable Canadian non-profit model, donation-based funding, and science-driven conservation advocacy, though with a much broader environmental mandate beyond oceans.

Emerging players

• Plastic Oceans Foundation: Nonprofit addressing ocean health through film production and education, with documentary content (e.g., A Plastic Ocean) as a core awareness engine. Comparable in using film-based advocacy for ocean conservation, though focused on plastic pollution rather than shark species.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/teamsharkwater
• Facebookfacebook.com/sharkwater
• Instagraminstagram.com/teamsharkwater
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sharkwater-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ROB STEWART SHARKWATER FOUNDATION