Sea World Foundation

Sea World Marine Park commenced operations in 1971 and while initial operations included the marine sciences team participating in marine animal rescues, it wasn’t until 1988 that the not-for-profit Sea World Foundation (as we now know it) became an official organisation.

Initially operating as the Neptune Oceanic Foundation from 1988, the organisation became dedicated to the rescue, research and conservation efforts of marine life, with a focus on the Gold Coast and surrounding areas.

In 1993, the Neptune Oceanic Foundation was renamed to the Sea World Research & Rescue Foundation with the organisation becoming an approved research institute growing to include a scientific advisory committee who were enlisted to identify and distribute funding to research projects on marine vertebrates.

To align with the updating of the charity’s constitution in 2021, the organisation simplified the name to Sea World Foundation to greater represent the wider range of research, rescue and conservation efforts being undertaken.