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.
- » See also: MSNBC to Air 2 Hour Special on Animal Conservation: “100 Heartbeats”
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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
ooops. Reading fast I didnt realize that yes Hon was refering to people from India. Well, I think they should come over and put an end to our beef industry. Actually, it would be amazing. An eye opening experience for most of this country.
I watched part of this show last weekend and thought “these people look like a bunch of pot-smoking brain-dead idiots”. They damage their own equipment, fail to properly deploy their boat, and alienate potential allies by telling them to “get your head out of your azz”. These people, with a good cause, seemed totally incompetent and sometimes childish and immature. I almost felt embarrassed for them. Taranis
Man-made Globbal Climate Change is a Myth.
I watched the first episode and have to say that as a professional mariner I was appalled at all of the examples of poor seamanship. There is no way these guys should be operating a vessel in these conditions or any conditions for that matter. The captain lacks any form of decisive leadership. The fact that they swamped their small boat in what should have been a routine boat launch evolution speaks volumes about their inexperience. The indecisiveness of the captain on how to recover the men overboard and his later decision to utilize a damaged helicopter after being advised otherwise by the aircraft manufacturer magnifies his incompetence and arrogance. This crew is a train wreck looking for a place to happen.
Pot smoking???? Most vegans are straight edged! Research much. and its completely volunteer. If you can run a ship better, volunteer!
What a bunch of morons. If I wasn’t worried that someone was going to be killed, it would be funny. Their seamanship is practically non-existant and they are going into the most remote ocean on our planet with no backup and little hope of rescue without so much as a safety drill. Most of them can’t even spell ship, much less handle one with any degree of competance. Half the show is wasted watching them recover from their bone-head mistakes and barfing over the side of the ship. Thirty minutes for a man overboard drill and more than half the crew (including the captain) is standing around watching and clueless as to what to do! If it was a real emergency, someone would be dead.
LOL the cook got promoted to deck cheif to help with the helicopter. The radio operator had to figure out how to rescue the crew members who got dumpped into the water when they failed to launch the zodiac.
The more I watch, the funnier it gets.
OMG and they are only serving vegan meals! That’s hillarious! What do this bunch of tree-huggers have against plants?
SAVE THE PLANTS. STOP THE SENSELESS SLAUGHTER OF OUR PRECIOUS PLANTS.
I wouldn’t get on board with this bunch of sea sick keystone cops on a bet.
Paul Watson is a TERRORIST nothing more. Its fitting that he flies the skull and crossbones because pirates were the terrorist of their days.
At what point in time does one believe that boarding a ship of another country without permission could be taken for a hostage situation, come on people. Better yet, why not board a ship after trying to disable it at sea, in effect the ship would be helpless to the wrath of the ocean. A ship with no prop is helpless, thus leaving the crew in a great deal of danger. Very good, great humanitarian thinking, I’m sure the families of those Japanese sailors would be so grateful for the tragedy that would unfold do to the actions of a half wit captain. Keep up the good work, endanger lives in the hope to save lives. That is the humanitarian way I guess. Makes me proud to be a human. Grow up and be peaceful in nature and good things will come to all.
Come on.. do any of you really believe the Japs are whaling for research purposes only? If you disagree with Sea Shepherds tactics, how exactly would you do it better? Be peaceful and good things will come? I.e. Ignore the problem and it will go away. Brilliant… Theses guys are throwing stink bombs and risking their lives jumping on a whaling ship. And tangling a prop with a 2nd boat close by? Not exactly violent crimes. According to your logic Martin Luther King and Ghandi were terrorists.
Wow. I am shocked and apalled. Do these volunteers have any idea whose hands they have put their lives in? A crew muster drill in which no survival suits (absolutely necessary for survival in event of an emergency in a cold water climate) are provided? The “medic” recommends hot chocolate for those suffering from hypothermia? A skiff launch that is beyond incompetant - Where is the painter line? Why is the skiff launched without the motors warmed up? Who is driving the crane? Pull up when you see it turning! These are obvious concerns to those of us who work on boats. Something for those who would like to volunteer for something they believe in to think about…. Your safety is essential. Your voice will not be heard if you are dead. Educate yourself about the environment you be in! In other words, not so impressive.
I watched the show the other day for the first time and was absolutely moved to tears by these peoples actions to save these whales. I was a little bothered by the arogance of their “captain.” I wonder how much he even really cares for the whales. To me it seems like he’s more interested in bolstering his own ego. He’s uses these peoples dedication and trust in him to carry out his rediculouse little schemes. If anyone should have jumped onto that Japanese boat it should have been him. Like someone already said, the only way people are going to hear your voice is if your still alive. I blown away that nobody has died yet due to this captians incompetence.