On a mission to end cetacean captivity
Our Story
"Individually, we make ripples - together, we create a tsunami of change"
We are a group of individuals who came together to disrupt the captive industry.
Our ultimate goal is to create a world without cetacean captivity. World where all orcas & dolphins swim free. While we pave the road to such times, we fight so the captive animals get the best care they can and don’t suffer more than necessary until a sanctuary is available.
OUR CAMPAIGNS
We fight for those who cannot fight for themselves
Marineland Antibes
Gulf World, Panama City Beach
Kshamenk - The Whale the World Forgot
HOW we work
what we do is more than what you see on social media
Captive facilities often operate under a veil of secrecy.
Through comprehensive investigations, we work to uncover the truth—submitting Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and public records requests, engaging with current and former staff while protecting their privacy, and working with law enforcement to ensure accountability. If necessary, we visit the premises ourselves to obtain evidence.
The systems meant to safeguard both animals and the people who work with them are failing. To drive accountability, we harness the power of social media to expose hidden truths.
Ending captivity and securing the best possible outcomes for the animals requires pulling back the curtain and revealing the ugly truth. Media coverage plays a crucial role in raising awareness, ensuring these stories reach the public through news outlets, television, and other platforms.
We file complaints with regulatory agencies and work with government officials to create meaningful change.
Our most important work happens behind the scenes, requiring relentless pursuit of holding regulatory bodies accountable. In addition we work with lawmakers to drive new legislation in order to reform current animal welfare and employee safety standards.
MEET THE TEAM
We Are TideBreakers
Co-Founder
MARKETA SCHUSTEROVA
Photographer, videographer, documentarian and longtime advocate for ocean conservation.
Marketa spent over a decade volunteering with Sea Shepherd Conservation Society before co-founding the non-profit UrgentSeas. Though she has since moved on from UrgentSeas, her commitment to ending captivity remains unwavering.
She co-founded TideBreakers to pursue her passion for uncovering the hidden truths of captive facilities and drive meaningful change.
Co-Founder
JANA RICHARDSON
Lifelong advocate against injustice with passion for cetaceans.
Jana is a former member of the non-profit UrgentSeas with years of experience in marketing, web design and brand building.
Owner of two ocean focused brands Orca Legacy and SHARK HERITAGE, Jana’s passion is in creating impact and building brands with clear conservation message.
She’s dedicated to the mission of phasing out cetacean captivity in her lifetime.
Our Consultants
VALERIE GREENE
Former Seaworld animal trainer, animal welfare and trainer safety advocate.
Valerie spent more than 10 years as an animal trainer at SeaWorld Orlando where she worked with nearly every marine mammal species at the park.
She graduated from Barry University’s Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law in 2018 and has been published in the Orlando Sentinel and Miami Herald.
JOE KLEIMAN
Joe Kleiman has more than 25 years experience as a manager and director of both commercial and nonprofit organizations.
Since 2011, Joe has also been a trade journalist for the attractions industry, specializing in zoo and aquarium design and operations, and is the owner of the marine mammal welfare platform The Flip. Joe has extensive zoo animal husbandry and cetacean necropsy experience, which are at the root of his writing and advocacy.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Break the tides with us!
Ending cetacean captivity is a mission that requires all of us.
We are on a long and demanding mission that anyone can be a part of. We appreciate everyone who does!
Here’s what you can do to help:
TideBreakers is a grassroots project led by ocean advocates.
We’re not a registered nonprofit yet, but we are creating impact. Your donations directly help us cover the costs of running our campaigns and obtaining new footage.
We appreciate your help, no matter how small.
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Our Partners
