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
I love the Whale Wars show and all of what Paul Watson and the Sea Shephard crew represent. We need more heros of wildlife in the world. Anyone who can’t see this just don’t get it. Humans are thought (by other humans) to be the most intelligent creatures on earth. If we are so smart why are we insistant on destroying the earth and ourselves in the process? Where is the intelligence? We have so much to learn from our fellow creatures (wildlife), but unfortunately we will destroy them before they can help us. BTW, as an Animal Planet follow-up to Whale Wars I would love to see “Land Wars” next. I envision a group of ex-US Army Rangers called “Land Shephards” who hunt down and kill poachers. As a US Army Ranger turned wildlife activist I volunteer to take the first shot.
To Robert Strouss: do some homework and read up on Paul Watson. You will be amazed at what he HAS done and been threw. He does not ask anyone to do anything he has not done. He has been in the trenches when he was younger (he is almost 60 for gods sake). Think of it this way. If our military required our generals to man the machine guns and fight the enemys 20 year old troops we would last as a superpower.
Yes, the Japanese are technically whaling legally because of a loophole. (Though, if the rule is changed so no whale meat can be marketed as a result of a scientific kill, I’m pretty sure their “research” program would cease…I’m a graduate student in the field and have not seen one bit of actual research produced from this endeavor). Paul Watson is interfering with a legal operation.
…Of course, Rosa Parks sat ILLEGALLY (more or less - makes the point anyhow!) at the front of the bus too….
And I think a lot of you are missing the point here. People are doing what they believe in. I’ve crewed with Paul before (not in the Antarctic though..), and everyone on his crew understands the risks involved. Paul is not risking human lives - save for his own; passionate people are risking only their own lives.
I’ve always congratulated Paul on the way he handles poachers, etc, and I encourage him to continue what he does! Frankly, I believe he should invest the money he’ll get from the show to hire some of those ex-SEAL Blackwater-types to scuttle the fleet.
Of course, this is all coming from someone who thinks the slaughter of any animal - cow, chicken, pig, lamb, whatever! - should be tantamount to killing another human…
Shame on anyone who thinks this show is anything but garbage. I wonder if they will take the show off the air when the Japanese fishermen get sick enough of them to fight back.
Just a bunch of pompous “I know better than you, so shut up” morons. They illegally board another ship, and claim to be “kidnapped”. I’m against illegal poaching, but I’ll kill and eat an animal…no problem. Just can’t stand their holier than thou attitude. Same with vegans. BTW…a recent Melbourne study shows that vegans’ brains don’t develop like normal people. Their diet makes their brains shrink. Explains a lot.
Whale Wars is possibly the most ridiculous show on television. Its like watching a bunch of drunk high teenagers pulling pranks on “the man”. The episode where the captain was “shot” has to be the single most outlandish ever. They pull what looks like a .45 to .50 caliber “bullet” from his flak vest. First of all, two ships bouncing on the sea, 50 yards minimum apart, and at different elevations and one bullet fired manages to hit the captain in the chest right on his shield. Second, the vest (kevlar at best) would not have stopped a round that large. Third, the shield would have shattered into many pieces. Finally, he would have been knocked straight back into the wall of the ship. Him feeling a prick in his chest? Impossible! Rounds that large move people and leave very large bruises even with body armor.
Bottom line, Animal Planet is out of control with this show. I am going to avoid this channel from now on if this is the crap they are putting on. Terrorists attacking boats in international waters. I wouldn’t mind seeing one of those whalers running straight over the Sea Shepherd. Ridiculous!!!
I am all for protecting whales, but what the Sea Shepherd is doing is is piracy and terrorism. As for the captain being shot that was all staged, there was no bullet hole in his mustang suit, there was no bruising on his chest, he didn’t even stagger back when he was “shot”. I think he took his gun, went to the engine room and shot the bullet proof vest and the badge and put it back on. The fragment of the bullet looked like a .45 caliber and he was perfectly shot in the heart from another ship, both ships were pitching and rolling under the sea state… i don’t think so. As far as Paul Watson he is a terrible captain… A captain needs to make better decisions and keep his crew and ship safe, thats his first responsibility.
to rod. i will. point taken.
Jeff,
Try again… It has nothing to do with eating meat directly but rather B12 deficiencies. As long as you’re smart about what you eat, vegan or not, you’re fine. There a lot of issues that can cause B12 deficiencies.
Delve into the science a little, and you’ll see benefits of a vegan diet far outweigh any risks.
Or, if you just want to go tit-for-tat is “popular science” news stories, a Southampton study shows a link between being veg and higher IQ… (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6180753.stm)
If anyone tried to foul my propeller thousands of miles from nearest port there would be a harpoon in there side.