The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a direct action animal rights organization led by Captain Paul Watson, will get some well-deserved attention in an upcoming seven-part Animal Planet television series titled “Whale Wars,” set to premier November 7th.
The group formed in 1977 after Watson, one of the founders of Greenpeace, became frustrated with the seminal environmental group’s hesitation to engage in direct action. Since then the group has faced down whalers year-after-year by literally chasing their ships around the open seas.
Unlike most direct action activism, Watson insists that Sea Shepherd’s anti-whaling campaigns are entirely legal. He cites international treaties under the International Whaling Commission that state that any human has the right to interfere with illegal poaching or whaling. While the laws exist, Watson says that Sea Shepherd are the only ones enforcing them. He has been arrested numerous times across the globe but has never been convicted of any wrongdoing.
Last winter, the crew prevented the Japanese from killing at least 300 whales, but not without a fight. The television show documents all the action, including a dramatic hostage situation, flash grenades, gunfire, and full-throttled chases through to antarctic seas. Quite frankly, I wish I had cable.
This teaser gives you a taste of what to expect:
Looking for more on Sea Shepherd? Check out some related posts:
- Greenpeace vs. Sea Shepherd: An Unfortunate Conflict
- Japan Plans to Arrest Sea Shepherd Crew
- Sea Shepherd Now has Former US Navy Lieutenant Onboard
- Animal Planet, Daryl Hannah Join Sea Shepherd Crew For More Whale Wars
- “Madagascar Two” Movie Inaccurate According to Sea Shepherd
- Australia, Greenpeace Opt Out of This Winter’s ‘Whale Wars’
- Japan Accuses Animal Planet of EcoTerrorism Prior to “Whale Wars” Premiere
Image Credit: Paul Watson via Wiki Commons
I love that you are working to save the whales. I like seeing the process on TV. Hearing is almost impossible. The background sound track is so loud, we miss most of the conversation.
Thanks for the great endeavor AND toning down the stupid background noise!
This show is great if you like watching an ego maniac captain shame people into doing dangerous things in pursuit of his own aggrandizement. It’s really great for you if you like watching the whale killing continue unabated due to the ineptitude and horrible performance of his crew. Bob Barker would have done much better to spend $5M on lawyers instead of giving it to this group of nuts.
i obviously completely disagree
[...] think our readers are quite familiar with Whale Wars. From prior to the Whale Wars first season premiere to Japan accusing Animal Planet of ecoterrorism to whale-sized marshmallows to Japanese whalers [...]
GO PAUL AND HIS CREW. IF I WERE ABLE TO, I’D BE OUT THERE HELPING ANY WAY THAT I COULD.
AS MUCH AS I LIKE THE WHALES……THESE PEOPLE ARE SO NOT QUALIFIED TO WORK ON A SHIP ! THEY ARE NOTHING BUT TERRORISTS ! AND A SAD POSER EXCUSE FOR THEIR CAUSE ! THEY ARE A JOKE ! ITS LAUGHABLE !
Americans need to stay out of other countries business! Your all a bunch of douchebags. Go home to your small town and try to create a renewable energy resource or better yet affect legislation. There is no room for borderline sociopaths in the ocean. Stop trying to create drama where there is none…people who put themselves in the line of a bullet get shot!
we need to start boycotting japan car dealership world wide . nobody buys a japan car till japan stops
whaling
same mes. boycott japan cars dealership till they stop whaling
You notice you dont see Paul risking his life in any manner, just the lives of others on the small boats. Also, since when is it allowed for anyone to intentionally try to disable another ship at sea and risk the death of those aboard, without expecting some retaliation? Cpt Paul goes too far and too often no matter his reason. If you dont like whale killing as I dont, thats fine, but doing another wrong here in his actions, is not right either no matter the reason. If I were aboard the jap ships and he tried the tricks he did, Id ram his big ship. Sink it if necessary. He deserves no respect from me.
What,s wrong People, Don,t have the Guts to post it? Truth Hurts Sometimes, You are being Used, But you are Young and Stupid.Question, ? If i told you as your leader to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge, Would You? How can you support a guy, By his words, Said back in 75 i looked into the whales eyes and i knew that he was talking to me? What a Crack-Pot!,Hey I,m getting up a little get together in Jonestown, Wanna Come?
I am all about saving the whales but these men seem more interested in being on tv or a cool boat . what are they doing to save the whales what a waste of money they could be spending on Saving the whales .. such a sad waste.. i want to cry when i watch the show…… they thow this crap on the boat during a whale being slaugtered after the horrible catch…. proble thowing it ON the suffering whale…… and then they just go get another whale cause these selffish want to be seen on tv whale loviing dumb asses… piss then men off even more while their slaughtering the poor whale. I glad there takein all the money to save the whales to buy a boat that looks cool on tv for them.. i hate the hole thing…. so sad..lisa holsonback pittbulllove102000@yahoo.com