New ‘Whale Wars’ TV Series Documents Anti-Whaling Activists
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.
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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
One bullet into the heads of these idiots would stop their terrorist activities.
It’s hard to believe how fast these guys went from accusations of eco-terrorism to a starring role in Sharkwater to a TV show of their own. If you’d told me 10 years ago, I would have said you were nuts.
I’ll be very curious to see how America interprets his tactics. Sea Shepherd have made quite the name for themselves, and whatever you think of them, are a major player in whale conservation, if only because of their profile.
i think the sea shepherd should save the whales by any means necessary. i believe animal planet viewers will be cheering for them and making donations so that they can keep up the war.
It says in the clip that Japanese are killing whales. But I heard that Norwegians are killing them too.
I don’t see Indians attacking Americans because of America’s huge beef industry. These guys don’t exactly have any kind of right to pull off these attacks either. If anything, these guys are lucky that the Japanese whaling crews never any of them.
HOW do I get on this BOAT !!!!! God Bless you guys !!!! give them holy heck !!!
Sea Shepard is an organization dedicated to the promotion of it’s founder Paul Watson. It doesn’t care about animals or nothing else. Search youtube for an old Watson interview with CBC’s Barbara Frum. If you speak french, Watch “Phoque, le film” dedicated to Watson’s organization. Don’t be a dupe!
I think that it good to stop killing whale but they use something that will the stop the killing of whale but not to wild is butter
I wish you guy ca nhave a great trip to the sea and not to get any war or any fight good Luky !!
I think if people read the book Whale Warriors (written by someone who isnt apart of the crew), they may know something about what is actually going on and why they do what they do. If you havent read it or dont know anything about it from a personal stand point, then opinions are non educated and serve no purpose to inform anyone with questions. Lets step back and just look at this from an ecosystem point of view and how killing off whales effects that. Or maybe lets look at how the japanese are fishing in UN protected waters and no one but sea shepherd are doing anything about it. oh but wait, yeah they do have the laws under them. They are legally authorized to intervene in accordance with the United Nations World Charter for Nature that was ratified by the U.N. General Assembly in 1982 under Section 21. So no they arent terrorists. And what the hell “Hon N” with Indians attacking Americans? First Indians live in India. Second, Native Americans dont live in tipis in raising cattle out on the plains or whatever you have thought up in your head. So why would they attack anyone? Stereotype much? I wish Sea Shepherd all the best and look forward to the show.