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
After watching the show for 2 seasons now I am glad I am not the only one who thinks Paul Watson is a wantabe despot. He fits the bill: taking risks with no thought of the young ideal driven spoiled college kids that feel they need to put their lives on the line for a cause to feel alive, guilting them into taking risks he will not take himself, he takes no resposibility for mistakes made on the ship, a true captin knows the buck stops with him or her. Tell me he is not F@*king Shannon Mann, the young communications officer you are blind.
Kuddos to the whole crew and Paul Watson! They might be a bunch of fools according to some people on this thread, but anyone who would even dare to go out on an old ship in the rough seas for any cause whatsoever, is a hero to me! There are 6 billion people on this earth and out of that 6 billion are a few 30 or so people that are willing to make a difference to the whales, not even for human beings. That goes to show that 5 billion 970 million of us are more concerned about ourselves than getting out of ourselves to help maintain this fragile eco-system we have now.
I am amazed to read the comments of people who oppose or think that these “whale shephers” are stupid or out of place. No wonder why this planet is in peril! These guys at least have the balls to do something about the destruction of our environment. They should be admired for risking their lives for the protection of these poor whales that are being attacked and killed. I don’t care if these whales are being hunted legally. They should be left alone and in peace. A decade ago these animals were about to go extict and now that they are just recovering they are being hunted again especially by the Japanese and the Chinese. These whales should’t pay the price for the out of control and hubger demanding Asian population boost. I don’t care if these are international waters…..it is our planet and we only have one. WAKE UP YOU BUNCH OF IGNORANTS!!!!!!!!!
These liberals really are something else! They are attacking the japanese boats with slime and stink bombs and trying to disable their prop in the middle of an arctic ocean and they are “surprised at the violence the whalers have shown” when the whalers were throwing metal bolts at the sea shepherds to deter them????? That was the most dim witted comment I have ever heard, and I have heard a lot of them. The solution is to round up all of the vegans, liberals, and tree huggers and give them their own country and make them stay there. Hunting whales should not be done in this day and age, but you goobers saying that a dogs life is more important than a humans is just bad thinking.
THE DUM DUNG EATERS ON PAGE FIVE SHOULD DIE FOR THIER COMMENTS WHALES LIVE AND BREATH JUST LIKE U IDIOTS
THEY CANT PROTECT THEM SELVES THEY NEED HELP ALL THEY CAN GET FROM US
pablo, go hug a tree
mary, nice job on the math.
This is a thought for the whalers… why not put some hooks on the bottom keel of your boat… this will catch and stop the prop fowlers from reaching your props… when you are clear you can free the lines by simply reversing. Please pass this on if you are in touch with the whalers! I would love to see my idea in action.
Levi,
“Will you teach your children what we have taught our children? That the earth is our mother? What befalls the earth befalls all the sons of the earth. “This we know: the earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like the blood that unites us all. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself. “One thing we know: our god is also your god. The earth is precious to him and to harm the earth is to heap contempt on its creator. Chief Seattle
Pablo, Read genesis chapter 1:26-31. God has given it all to us. For either food or clothing. Are you a vegan? Sorry about the tree comment. That was out of line.