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CAPTAIN PAUL WATSON FOUNDATION
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 883361218 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE U21 · Science & Technology · Medium ($1M-$10M) · paulwatsonfoundation.org
revenue
$1.7M
expenses
$1.6M
net assets
$160K
employees
0
program ratio
85%
mission · from form 990

DEFENDING SEA LIFE AND PREVENTING ILLEGAL OPERATIONS ACROSS THE OCEAN.

profile · synthesized from sources

Marine wildlife conservation organization founded by Captain Paul Watson to defend ocean ecosystems and prevent illegal activities at sea. Focuses on direct-action campaigns, marine species protection, and international advocacy. Operates through a global network of volunteers and regional coordinators, continuing Watson's decades-long environmental activism following his departure from Sea Shepherd.

named programs · 1 · from sources

What they call their work

Honu Hui Campaign
Initiative to protect and promote the endangered Caretta caretta sea turtle in the Mediterranean, with monitoring and conservation efforts focused in Italy
activities · 5 groups

What they do

  • Ocean Ecosystem Restoration & Research 3 activities
    • Advocates for ocean and marine life protection through media and public engagement
      Raises awareness about ocean conservation through participation in international media, including the TV series 'Whale Wars,' and through authorship of books on environmental activism, maritime history, and marine conservation.
    • Conducts direct-action marine conservation operations
      Engages in aggressive, non-violent interventions at sea to protect marine life and biodiversity, including campaigns against illegal whaling and other harmful activities. Specific missions include Operation Kangei Maru, Operation Ice Storm, Operation Ocean Killers, Operation Papillon, and Operation Krill Wars.
    • Documents threats to marine life
      Documents incidents such as sea turtle deaths caused by ghost nets along the Italian coastline to support advocacy and raise awareness about marine ecosystem threats.
  • Environmental Conservation Grantmaking 2 activities
    • Funds at-sea conservation campaigns and vessel operations
      Uses donated funds to finance at-sea campaigns, vessel construction and maintenance, crew support, and operational partnerships for marine conservation efforts.
    • Supports individual fundraising for ocean protection
      Enables individuals to create personal fundraising campaigns to support the foundation's marine conservation operations and initiatives.
  • Marine and Coastal Education Programs 1 activity
    • Organizes community-based conservation education and events
      Conducts educational programs, beach clean-ups, and fundraising events in local communities to promote ocean conservation and engage public participation.
  • Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
    • Produces educational podcast on ocean conservation
      Produces a regular podcast featuring discussions with Captain Paul Watson and members of Neptune’s Navy on ocean-related news, ecosystem issues, and active campaigns, aimed at raising public awareness.
  • Wildlife Monitoring and Field Research 1 activity
    • Protects sea turtle populations in southern Italy
      Conducts daily pre-dawn beach patrols to locate and secure Caretta caretta sea turtle nesting sites, monitors nests to prevent disturbance, and supports hatchlings in reaching the sea. In 2025, monitored 40 nests and supported over 6,000 hatchlings.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.65M
Contributions & grants$1.65M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$2K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.56M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$1.32M
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$160K
Cash$160K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$160K
Liquid reserves1.2 mo
3 years on record · 2022–2024 · YoY revenue +5.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 2
  • CLEMENTINE PALLANCA — Secretary
  • PAUL WATSON — President
relationships · 46

Who they work with

  • 1% for the Planet Network — Member of the 1% for the Planet global network, working to create environmental change.
  • 9th Circuit Federal Court Government — Judicial body that formally recognized Captain Paul Watson's actions through legal designation.
  • Amazon Music Partner — Distributes podcast content through Amazon Music platform.
  • Animal Planet Partner — Collaborated on the production of the TV series 'Whale Wars'.
  • Anne Menden Partner — Ambassador for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation
  • Anton Dohrn Zoological Station Partner — Collaborates with CPWF on conservation interventions when sea turtle nests are threatened by storms or other environmental events.
  • Apple Podcasts Partner — Distributes podcast content through Apple Podcasts platform.
  • Benjamin Zuckerman Partner — Ambassador for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation
  • Brinkley Davies Partner — Ambassador for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation
  • Bryan Adams Partner — Ambassador for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation
  • Captain Paul Watson Partner — Organization is inspired by and continues the work of Captain Paul Watson.
  • Chris Jordan Partner — Ambassador for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation
  • Coast Guard Partner — Receives notifications from CPWF volunteers regarding identified sea turtle nests for official follow-up.
  • Cyrill Gutsch Partner — Ambassador for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation
  • Dale Vince Partner — Ambassador for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation
  • Dax Dasilva Partner — Ambassador for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation
  • Discovery TV Partner — Collaborated on the production of the TV series 'Whale Wars'.
  • Dr. Sylvia Earle Partner — Ambassador for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation
  • Emilio Estevez Partner — Ambassador for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation
  • Google Partner — Engages a Google Ads Consultant for Nonprofits to support digital outreach
  • Holly Combs Partner — Ambassador for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation
  • Iain Kerr Partner — Ambassador for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation
  • Joel Harper Partner — Ambassador for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation
  • John Paul DeJoria Partner — Ambassador for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation
  • John Paul DeJoria Partner — Philanthropist and CPWF Ambassador whose name is honored on the vessel John Paul DeJoria; supports the foundation through ambassadorship and likely financial contributions.
  • Julia Helbich Partner — Ambassador for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation
  • LIFE TURTLE NEST project Partner — Partners with CPWF to implement emergency conservation measures for at-risk sea turtle nests.
  • Lamyaa Essemlali Partner — Ambassador for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation
  • Martin Sheen Partner — Ambassador for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation
  • Mike Coots Partner — Ambassador for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation
+ 16 more
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Autonomous Resistance Identity
    methodology: independence-from-institutions
    By positioning ourselves outside government and corporate systems—and embracing symbolic identities like piracy—we maintain operational freedom and moral authority because independence prevents co-option and strengthens credibility as uncompromised defenders of the ocean.
  • Direct-Action Intervention Model
    methodology: direct_action
    By deploying ships, crews, and volunteers to physically intervene in illegal fishing and destructive marine activities, we stop environmental harm in real time because presence and action at sea deter exploitation and enable immediate response where legal enforcement is absent.
  • Media as Mobilization Tool
    methodology: media-for-conservation
    By documenting and broadcasting direct-action operations through media and podcasts, we generate public awareness and engagement because visual storytelling transforms frontline conservation into relatable narratives that inspire support and action.