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”
- » Get Planetsave by RSS or sign up by email.
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 really believe in what the Sea Shepards are doing and wish that GreenPeace, SeaShepards,etc can put thier differences aside and come together for this and other causes. The effect would get a lot better results, but I guess it is human instinct to make even a cause like this political between like minded organizations. I also dont agree with all Paul Watson thinks and does but he is doing something which is better than nothing at all,I really feel for him in a couple of ways the first being his crews are mostley so unskilled (being nice) it has to be very hard to get the job done let alone how embarassing it must be for him now that with the telivision program all can see and this makeing him seem even worse than some feel.
I am doing what I can for animal/planet conservation in my little corner of the earth and if we all put our money and or our efforts where our mouths are this planet wouldnt be in such a critical situation.
Scott B
Niagara Area, Canada
The first episode I watched of this show had one of Steve Irwin’s Delta boats get turned over due to the incompetence of the 2nd in command Peter Brown. Right away I saw this crew had no idea what they were doing especially with Watson’s best buddy making most of the decisions. And then tonight I happened to watch it again and unbelievably this moron did it again after 2 members of the crew get detained on one of the Japanese whaling vessels. After finally getting permission to return to Watson’s vessel due to 2 days of governmental negotiating, the moron 2nd in command proves once again his immense incompetence by trying to harass the very Japanese ship that captured the 2 men originally. Watson is deep in sleep due to 36
hours without sleep and simply says do whatever Brown tells you to do. So instead of meeting the ship with there captured shipmates on it, dumbass Brown gets the bright idea to harass the ship that had ship that had detained the 2 men. In less than 30 mins after leaving the Steve Irwin, the Zodiac gets lost, then after they are found again, the helo has to return back to the Steve Irwin because of darkness. So now on top being in middle of the ocean in pitch darkness, the cannot raise communications with the 2 men in the Delta boat. At this point the 2 men are lost at sea and nobody has a clue where they are. Man talk about a comedy or errors. This show to me had been nothing but a episodes of many errors due to inexperienced people and bad leadership. The first thing they need to do is get rid of this idiot Brown who is 2nd in command. And of course when the Capt. wakes up he backs Brown and all of his mistakes. I won’t be watching this show again and all of there stupid mistakes. And what is really funny is the fact that this Watson dude could care less about his people. He says, it is all part of this job and if it mistakes happen or people die, so be it. But curiously I don’t see either one of these dummies actually putting their lives in any kind of jeopardy.
It took me a while to get through all the episodes of the “Whale Wars” marathon but it was worth it. It’s easy to understand how this show has become such a ratings winner for Animal Planet.
One of the most memorable episodes of the season was “Nothing’s Ideal” where Watson first announces his strategy and encounters a distinct lack of enthusiasm from the crew, most of which didn’t feel justified in openly criticizing the plan.
Irritated with the reluctance, Watson later stated “I don’t have much patience with people who are–what I refer to–as cowards.”
Later in the episode he goaded the crew of a fleeing harpoon ship saying “you run like cowards” as they were trying to escape harassment by his crew.
It would seem from all indications that the way Watson threw around the word “Coward” he must be a bold, daring man indeed.
However, in the episode “We Are Hooligans,” when Watson was desperate to lose the Japanese surveillance ship, he proposed a plan to the ships bosom, David Jennings, where Jennings would take a crew aboard the vessel and sabotage the ship’s communications. However, he stopped short of giving the order, preferring to let Jennings decide if he should perform the mission or not. When Jennings decided against it, Watson then made the argument for the action again. However, Watson again stopped short of making it an order, even when Jennings told him he’d do the mission with an official word from Watson.
Something similar happened earlier this spring when Watson was preparing to head to the eastern coast of Canada for Sea Shepherd’s annual seal hunter harassment. The Canadian government drew a line in the proverbial sand warning Watson his crew were not permitted to harass, monitor, or be anywhere near the sealers. Watson, the stalwart eco-warrior that he is, called their bluff and commanded the crew of the Farley Mowat to confront the sealers. However, when the RCMP raided the ship and arrested the ship’s captain and first mate, Watson was conspicuously absent. He was staying with friends in Brooklyn New York when the ship was boarded. According to Shannon Mann, the communications officer at the time, it was the first time Watson wasn’t able to make a campaign. Lucky for Watson he wasn’t on board when the Canadians decided to crack down on him, otherwise he could be one of the two about to stand trial next year for defying the authorities.
So, what would you call a man who tries manipulating people to commit illegal acts, and simultaneously insulates himself from being charged? Hmmmm. It’s right at the tip of my tongue? What could that word be?
Dear Sir,
It is hard to believe that no one has yet been killed. I can see why the “captain” (surely he does not have captain’s papers) does this as he clearly could not get a real job. He has the intelligence, judgement, and ability of Homer Simpson.
I am a believer in the cause, but it profits no one when the center of attention is an egocentric moron who cares nothing for the safety of his crew. By the way, I know for a FACT that seasickness is not mental.
This is a tale told by an idiot signifying nothing. I will never again be a contributor.
My only wish for the japanese whalers is that they kill every one of those greenpeace assholes ruining one more culture
i dont like this
i dont like it
I agree too, with what the sea shephard’s are trying to accomplish.Watson is getting way too many arrows shot at him from all directions.The issue is, how can we save the whales/versus Japanese whaling?Is this more about watson’s lack of good judgement as a sea captain, or how to save the whales from a cruel death and needless suffering, for purposes of research and ending up on someones food plate.Needless to say,I think it should be stopped.Would you want to be one of those poor whales?They are caught up in the middle and are victims of this horrible conflict.They are here for one purpose and that is, to be left alone in their natural habitat.Would the Japanese Like hooks up their backs?
Why do some of you hypocrites,bother wasting your time,and ink with no nonsense issues that does not have allot to do with the cause?As for Jeff Dec.20th, in regards to vegan brains don’t develop as well as normal ones.Sounds like you need a shrink man.Maybe you should become one,what have you got to lose? Your brain is already under developed.Or maybe your brain is stuck up your ass.I don’t think you know where it’s at.You need to eat more blueberries, they help the brain to develop and you can stick them up your ass or shove them in your mouth than maybe you will shut up and mind your own business.
I admire Captain Paul Watson and his crew and what they are trying to do. Great guy in my opinion and he and his crew have allot of courage