Greenpeace vs. Sea Shepherd: An Unfortunate Conflict
Greenpeace issued a lengthy statement on their website in an attempt to further distance themselves from Paul Watson and Sea Shepherd yesterday. With an aim at setting the record straight, Greenpeace made the statement out of frustration with what it claims are lies and falsehoods propagated by Watson, compounded by a general public misconception that Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd are associated with one another.
Greenpeace takes issue with what they describe as a fundamental difference in the anti-whaling tactics practiced by each organization. It is interesting to note how Greenpeace characterizes and differentiates their tactics versus that of Sea Shepherd, particularly their characterization of what constitutes violence.
- » See also: How to Help the Environment
- » Get Planetsave by RSS or sign up by email.
For Greenpeace, violence constitutes doing something that might put a human being in jeopardy, something they say Sea Shepherd and Watson are guilty of.
However, in their attempt to illustrate how proactive they are in the fight to save whales, Greenpeace makes reference to how in the past, Japanese whalers run from their ship at high speed when faced with a potential confrontation.
Regardless of Greenpeace’s non-violent policies, would the Japanese ship run from them, or resort to bringing the coast guard, if there wasn’t a perceived threat of violence? The success of Greenpeace’s anti-whaling efforts is clearly connected to the willingness of Sea Shepherd to take tough action and thereby instilling fear of the protesters in the whalers’ minds.
And anyway, is there a huge difference between sabotaging a propeller or sinking an unmanned whaling vessel (Sea Shepherd tactics) and blocking a harpoon vessel from shooting a whale with your ship (a Greenpeace tactic)? All these tactics are designed to achieve the same result, namely to prevent or reduce the killing of whales, and none particularly put lives at risk. Can’t we all just get along?
Image credit: Michael Dawes at Flickr under a Creative Commons license.
I can’t believe the Sea Sheperds are being compared to terrorists. I live in a country that suffered more than 25 years of national terrorist groups attacks and, believe me, there´s no point of comparisson between what the Sea Sheperds do with what real terrorists do. However rainforest in my country is being cut down, wildlife is slowly disappearing, and I consider those responsible of that as terrorists.
When a volunteer goes on board their asked if they would be willing to die. All volunteers share the same philosophy.
The fact is that we are in front of a conservation group that takes action, because a lot is said but little is done. So, you think killing wildlife is correct? I consider that a terrosrist act. At this moment of our history extreme measures must be taken in order to preserve nature and life in our planet. Every living being in nature is ment to play an important role. Unfortunately the only ones who just don’t understand their role or just don’t bloody care about it are human beings. We’re just ruining our planet, and as far as I’m concerned, those who are really aware of that important role and take action should not be called terrorists.
Hisways response was the typical of a jealous person. More personal attacts and teenager text words than anything. Long live Sea Shepherds.
whale meat is absolutely delicious
I was going to volunteer for Sea Shepherd until I heard I couldn’t bring my fishing pole. What’s up with that?! They don’t eat meat aboard ship and I love sushi along with chicken, beef, etc. Paul Watson doesnt look like he’s missing any meals but his crew looks like they’re made up of militant vegan missionaries keen on converting meat eaters to salad bar aficionados. Save the whales and bring on the chickens!
Nathan….are you kidding??? these people are just trying to save ALL our lives, and Im sorry but if it takes a couple hundred lives of people who obviously dont give a flying f*ck about the environment or even the future of their own families then so be it! maybe you should read up on this subject and see what will happen if we deplete the sea’s of all life….
Candice
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) are heros!!! If we (humans) kill off the whales, we kill the oceans, we kill the oceans then we die…it’s a circle. We need to protect the oceans to protect our own life…
The SSCS have never been convicted of a major crime, despite sinking 10 whaling ships…
List of ships sunk by the SSCS:
Sierra
Susan
Theresa
Isba I
Isba II
Hvalur 6
Hvalur 7
Senet
Nybrena
Morild
NOBODY WAS INJURED OR KILLED IN THESES “ATTACKS”!!!
Sea Shepherd is not a terrorist group!!!
Greenpeace needs to start using Sea Shepherd’s “Use of force” because they work!!! If we really want to stop whaling, then we all need to team up on Japan…
While Sea Shepards intentions are good, Paul Watson is a fool. Anyone calling him self a captain and placing greenhorns in harms way,is not wrapped too tight.
While the Sea shepherd intentions are good. Paul Watson should not be placing a greenhorn crew in harms way. I believe it show lack of good judgement.
While the Sea Shepherd’s intentions are good. She should not be placing a greenhorn crew in harms way.
i think u all suck dick i eat whale stake everyday amd i donate to the japanease so fuck u whale hugger