SPS was first organized by concerned individuals who acted upon a report on April 9, 2011, regarding a US-based company that was allegedly illegally importing shells, corals, and other endangered marine wildlife from Indo-Pacific countries, including the Philippines. The group went public on May 26, 2011, via the #reefwatchPH hashtag on Twitter. From what began as an online advocacy, SPS has evolved into a non-stock, non-profit organization and was registered in the SEC in February 2013. Its legal name is Philippine Seatizens, Inc.