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
All of the Sea Shepherd crew members are losers. They are not activists but bunch of trouble makers. If they want to save the whale then form a professional animal saving organization and not a whole bunch of day dreamer hero wanna be type of retards. Especially that what they call “Captain” Paul Watson is the true
LOSER. He does nothing but try to convince oter people to risk their life and even easily said losing a life for whale is nothing… then why the fuck dn’t you jump over Japanese board and be the hero of today. If that captain have any guts then he should set a example for his day dreaming crews. Because of this kind of human stupidity is existing in the world so people like green peace can not get their job done in timely manner. I remember one of their stupid episods, those stupid idiots trying to get help from grean peace and got rejected (of course…). Please get the message and stop the silly show. If you guys are a true animal lover then tacle from legal issue instead of being an international distuber. You guys are losing American’s faces.
Comments on: Whale Wars TV Series
I do believe in protecting the whales. The program gets us interested, then it ends up with disapointments everytime. Either the crew does something unbelievable stupid, they’re wrong, or they make crazy mistakes, everytime so far that I’ve watched this program. Examples: #1: The Captain of the ship sleeps while 2 of his men are captured on a Japanese ship! Come on! #2: Forgetting radios on a mission, come on! #3: Missing to disable the ships props! Is there any training for the crew? Is there any testing of the crew? Is there any responsibility for the incompetance of the Captian for so many errors? The sleeping Captian instance was unacceptable! I don’t care how long he was awake! I watch this program because of what they believe in, but there is way too much film footage with disappointments. I know everything doesn’t go as planned and everything doesn’t come up roses, but to sit there and watch disappointment after disappointment is a waste of time. That’s why there is Film Editing! My favorite program is The Deadliest Catch. Can’t get enough of it. Sure it has disappointments at times, but whom ever edits the film for the TV program, makes it enjoyable to watch the whole program. Again, I can’t get enough of it, but the Whale Wars TV program is nothing but a let-down. Wasted footage, wasting viewers time. Please look in to editing the film footage to give interest to the viewers for the entire program and suggest some sort of better training and most important, procedures! Having procedures, training the crew to the procedures and testing the crew following the procedures will make a better and safer crew. Might just make the program a bit more interesting to watch the entire program.
will they ever save a whale? just one would be nice. these people suck!!!!!!!!!!!!! wasting time and $.
[...] the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. The direct action animal rights organization, as seen on Animal Planet’s “Whale Wars” says they are “undettered” by the [...]
[...] 6. Sea Shepherd’s Migaloo Campaign [...]
how do i sign up to go risk my life to save whales?
You do realize that there are children that are sick and dieing everyday that can use this kind of media attention…… all they are doing is pretending to be heroes by playing on a boat. They are just bumbling around and are incompetant sailors. they have no right to interfere with someone else’s livlihood. these guys need to be put in jail.
there is nothing sadder than dirty hippies with a misguided purpose.
While you guys have a noble cause and ARE doing the right thing..your approach is way wrong. Your treatment of the crew and lack of training force there to always be a rotating, rookie group of basic babies. Does it surprise you that on every episode things go horribly wrong? which in turn wastes the time and donations afforded you guys. In your quest, experience is vital and the blunt and hands off approach are no the way for a captain to promote a good morale amongst the crew and in the long run could work against the cause. The use of teamwork is demeaned and the heirarchy of the boat doesn’t work. The ideals are good, but the execution is lacking. You guys are embarrassing and setting back your cause by airing these goof balls. I know many in a position to donate hefty amounts, but after witnessing the waste, it doesn’t seem worth it. Take your head out of your ass, captain..youre not a god..
..I get the feeling that most of the crew are running from warrants…
I think the members of this incompetent crew are in much more danger than the whales. I am hooked on this comedy of errors put on by a few hot chicks and a bunch of retards. My favorite retard is the nerd with the greasy pony tail and goatee.I just know that any episode now someone will kick his annoying ass. How can it be that a seagoing organization doesn’t have one single person that is an avid sailor? That dirtbag captain is going to get someone killed.