Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

What it reported doing in 2024

Conservation campaigns: during 2024, 4 ships (seahorse, martin sheen, bob barker and martin sheen) were in operation to support the various campaigns.operation milagro: it was our 11th consecutive year working on the front lines to protect the world's most endangered marine mammal, the vaquita porpoise, along with the highly sought after totoaba. The totoaba is valuable and in high demand by cartels from mexico and asia. Working in conjunction with the mexican navy, sscs vessels were on the front lines, to stand against the cartels and prevent this species from total extinction.(continued on schedule o)operation antarctica: sea shepherd conservation society has partnered with sea shepherd global to challenge the krill industry trawlers and its destructive exploitation of the southern ocean.operation faroe: campaign aims to expose and end the traditional grindadrpthe mass killing of pilot whales and other small cetaceans. Since 2014, the campaign has focused on documenting the hunts, raising global awareness, and challenging their legality under eu conservation laws. Despite resistance, sea shepherd's efforts have brought international attention to the issue and continue to pressure for change through non-violent intervention and advocacy.bajos del norte campaign: is a collaborative marine conservation effort focused on protecting a critical reef system in the gulf of mexico. Partnering with the mexican government and local agencies, the campaign involves scientific research, monitoring, and enforcement to safeguard biodiversity in this ecologically rich area. The mission aims to combat illegal fishing, preserve coral reef health, and support the long-term sustainability of marine life through direct action and data-driven conservation.ulloa campaign: sea shepherd's ulloa campaign was a planned initiative aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in the baja California peninsula, with a focus on the ulloa archipelago region. Although the campaign never formally launched, extensive preparations were made to support enforcement, monitor illegal fishing, and conduct ecological assessments in collaboration with local authorities. The groundwork laid for ulloa reflects sea shepherd's continued commitment to safeguarding mexico's marine ecosystems.operation revillagigedo: sea shepherd's vessel martin sheen has returned to the largest marine protected area in north america to advance the science around whales and increase our ability to protect them.panama: sea shepherd has concluded its involvement with the marine protection alliance (mpa). While the initiative did not continue long-term, some efforts in panamawere realized, including early operations and groundwork. The closure reflects a strategic decision to focus resources on core conservation campaigns.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 68%; rating input score 68
• Program expense ratio: 85.9%; rating input score 86
• Fundraising efficiency: $19.45 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 56; 56th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 92.9%; rating input score 93; 10th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 1 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 17
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: 3 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 38
  • Claims monitoring procedures: Pass
  • Requires narrative reports: Fail
  • Conducts field audits: Pass
  • May suspend future funding: Fail
  • Requires financial reports: Pass
  • Conducts site visits: Fail
  • Requires grant agreements: Fail
  • May require repayment: Fail
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 83.3%; rating input score 83; 17th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 21.3%; rating input score 83; 83rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.71; rating input score 25; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.04; rating input score 86; 86th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 8.3%; rating input score 28; 28th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 8.6% per year; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 4.1% per year; rating input score 100; 36th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 5.3% per year; rating input score 100; 37th percentile among comparable filings