Recent meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.
Mission & Goals
The rescue, rehabilitation and release of the wild-born orca named Morgan into a sea sanctuary. The rescue, rehabilitation and release of cetaceans in distress. The establishment of a natural ocean sanctuary for orca in captivity to be retired. Promote education, research and conservation of cetaceans and their natural habitats. Advocate against keeping cetaceans in captivity for public performances. Advocate against the captive breeding of cetaceans for commercial purposes. Advocate for laws and regulations recognizing wild cetaceans held in captive facilities as “res nullius“, which the state has a duty to protect from exploitation. Engage with government officials, elected politicians and other NGOs and individuals engaged in animal welfare and cetacean captivity issues to achieve the objectives.
EU Legislative Interests
EU animal welfare policy issues. EU Wildlife trade policy. CITES/International wildlife trade policy. EU and International policies relating to protection of marine mammals in the wild and protection from commercial exploitation in captivity. EU Citizens' rights to petition Parliament and lodge complaints with the European Ombudsman for acts of maladministration by the Commission and other EU institutions when a response to allegations of infringement of EU law cited in petitions do not receive a proper response.
Communication Activities
Submission to the European Commission (DG-ENV) - (2015) CITES and the Marine Mammal Protection Act: Comity and Conflict at Loro Parque. 20151101.V1.3. European Parliament Petition 0853/2017. European Parliament Petition 1566/2020. European Ombudsman Complaint 18/2020/PB. European Ombudsman Complaint (Request for Review) 251/2020/DL. European Commission Infringement Complaint Against Spain ENV.E.2/CPLT(2023)01900 Publication of “Mission creep in the application of wildlife law: The progressive dilution of legal requirements regarding a wild‐born orca kept for ‘research’ purposes.” (2019) in Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law (RECIEL) 28, 328-338. DOI https://doi.org/10.1111 Meeting with MEPs to discuss issues relevant to guidance and enforcement of the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) 338/97; Commission Regulation (EC) 865/2006 (as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 792/2012; and the Zoos Directive (Directive 199/22/EC), as they pertain to the keeping of cetaceans – particularly Annex A specimens of orca (killer whales) - in captivity for purposes of public display and breeding for primarily commercial purposes. 2023 June 5-28, FMF email communications with European Commission regarding alleged infringement of Member State of Spain concerning Spain's failure to enforce Council Regulation (EC) 338/97 prohibiting commercial use of an Annex A sppecimen in reference to orca Morgan's Netherlands issued EU certificate. 2023 June 26-28, FMF board members met with MEPs and their representatives to discuss situation of orca Morgan. FMF board members made presentations during Dolphinaria-Free Europe (DFE) event hosted by several interested MEPs to discuss why captivity is not a suitable environment for whales, dolphins, and porpoises and why the coalition wants legislation prohibiting the exploitation and display cetaceans across the European Union, including ending their breeding and importation. 2023 July 28, FMF submitted a formal written Infringement Complaint to European Commission [CPLT(2023)01900] accusing the Member State of Spain of infringement of EU law. Specifically: Council Regulation (EC) 338/97; Commission Regulation (EC) 865/2006 (as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 792/2012); The Zoos Directive (Directive 1999/22/EC); and The Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC) as it relates to the unauthorized commercial use of the wild-born, Annex A female orca, Morgan. 2024 August 14, FMF submitted 'Grounds for Re-assessment of CPLT(2023)01900' to the European Commission regarding the Commission's explicit duty to act under Articles 14, 18 and 19 of Council Regulation (EC) 338/97, which preempts the Commission’s exercise of discretion which is generally accepted in other infringement matters. Addendums to the re-assessment request were submitted to the Commision on 27 August and 8 October 2024. With these submission the FMF repeated its request face-to-face meeting in Brussels with representatives of the Commission in order to share the FMF’s expertise regarding the proper legal interpretation and application of Council Regulation (EC) 338/97 and Commission Regulation (EC) 865/2006, to the specific facts of the Morgan case and the issuance (and subsequent abuse) of the Netherlands issued EU certificate 11NL114808/20. 2025 February 16-22, 5th International Orca Symposium. Abstract & poster 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell. A Case Study of Ethical and Legal Considerations for a Wild-Born Orca in Captivity'. The FMF also presented a video workshop & published a record of proceedings from the symposium: 'Orca Law. Overview of European Union Regulations applicable to orca in captive facilities. Morgan a case study.' 2026 October 19-23, 26th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. Abstract presentation: "Measured by Science: CITES Scientific Authority refused transfer of two orca (Orcinus orca) over concerns of inadequate water surface & volume"
Interests Represented
Does not represent commercial interests
Member Of
The FMF is closely aligned with the goals of the Global Orca Charity (GOC), which is a USA based 501(c)(3) public benefit charity founded by three members of the FMF. orcacharity.org The purpose of the GOC is to provide charitable assistance for scientific research, public education and professional expertise to better understand and protect wild and captive orca (killer whales, Orcinus orca) and to advance global awareness of the species, as well as environmental threats and human impact on orca health and welfare and to help develop International and EU standards for orca ocean sanctuaries. The GOC is comprised of a Board of 12 'international' directors from New Zealand, USA, Spain, Canada, Germany & Argentina. Most recently, the FMF worked in collaboration with the Global Orca Charity at the 5th International Orca Symposium, Tarifa, Spain (February 16-21 2025) to submit abstracts and posters and present workshops on orca welfare, strandings and EU law applicable to orca held in captivity. In October 19-23 2026, at the 26th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals (SMM2026), hosted by the Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM), the FMF and Global Orca Charity will again join in collaboration through submission of the abstract/poster presentation of "Measured by Science: CITES Scientific Authority refused transfer of two orca (Orcinus orca) over concerns of inadequate water surface & volume" which is listed under the conference topic of 'Conservation and Management'. The two organizations are also planning to participate together at the conference with an 'exhibitor's informaiton table' at the event to promote the work of both organizations regarding the welfare and conservation of orca.
Organisation Members
We do not have 'members', the main networks of organisations we belong to are listed among the networks of other bodies of which we are a member.