Free Morgan Foundation
Budget
€13,961
EP Access
0
accredited persons
Staff
6
2.35 FTE
EU Grants
None
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
Presentations in European Parliament and policy submission. Submission to the European Commission (DG-ENV) - Spiegl, Matthew V. and Visser, Ingrid N. (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.” Spiegl, Trouwborst and Visser (2019) in Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law (RECIEL) Meeting with European Commission officials and members of the European Parliament (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 (whales, dolphins and porpoises) – 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 (Agata Sobiech) 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 Visser and Spiegl met with MEPs and their representatives (Guerreiro, Hazekamp, Auken, and Luena) to discuss situation of orca Morgan. Spiegl and Visser also made presentations during Dolphinaria-Free Europe (DFE) event hosted by MEPs Francisco Guerreiro and Pascal Durand, 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 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.
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.
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.
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.