According to their mission statement, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. They've been called radical, they've been called extreme.
Their response. Whatever actions are necessary to stop illegal activity.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society was established in 1977 as an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization. Their mission? To end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world's oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species.
By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately-balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations.
We had the chance to hear from SSCS spokesperson Amy Baird on what makes the organization tick.
You call yourself a marine wildlife conservation organization. What kind of marine wildlife does that include?
This includes all marine wildlife and ecosystems, from plankton, to krill, to sharks, dolphins, seals, whales and sea turtles.
What kind of direct-action tactics do you use to investigate, document, and take action to expose and confront illegal activities at sea.
We take our ships out onto the high seas to confront illegal activity in international waters. We use our vessels to physically intervene when necessary and as a platform for documenting with cameras and film.
What are some of your best accomplishments? Give us a story or two.
We’ve had a lot of successes over the years and have stopped many illegal operations globally. Currently we are determined to end illegal whaling in the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary by the Japanese. We’ve cost them millions in profits and will not stop until they are shut down for good. Last year, we saved 305 whales, the year before that 500, and over 500 the year before that. When you consider that each whale is worth about 250,000 commercially to the Japanese for the fin whales (less for the minke whales), these figures really add up. We’re determined to sink the Japanese- economically. Tell us a little about Captain Paul Watson.
For over 30 years, Captain Paul Watson has been at the helm of the world's leading direct action ocean conservation organization – the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. A renowned speaker, accomplished author, master mariner, and lifelong environmentalist, Captain Watson sails the high seas with a dedicated volunteer crew enforcing international conservation laws under the UN World Charter for Nature. Frequently covered in the media for his dedication to ocean conservation issues, and now the hero of the hit Animal Planet TV- series “Whale Wars”, Captain Watson is an inspiration the world over. Has your group been called extreme marine conservationists? What do you say to this statement?
Well, we are radical in terms of other marine conservation groups. But we see our actions as necessary to stop illegal activity. We’re an enforcement organization, not a protest group, and operate under the UN World Charter for Nature. As well, our clients are the whales, seals, dolphins and sharks we seek to protect, not people. So when we’re criticized, we don’t really care. Find us a whale that disagrees with our actions and maybe we’d change our tactics, but until then we continue to fight on their behalf.
What can the average person, who maybe doesn’t have the same resources and abilities as SSCS do to help the marine wildlife conservation movement?
Well the average person can lend their support to groups like Sea Shepherd who are out there getting the work done. They can also share information and get the word out about the issues with their friends and families. Many people are unaware whaling still happens. Another aspect is dietary- we need to stop eating fish. We have almost wiped out all fish populations globally. For more information please see “We Need to Stop Eating the Oceans” http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/editorial-090407-1.html.
SSCS has taken over 200 voyages. Tell me about one or two of the most memorable ones.
Last years Whale Defense Campaign Operation Musashi was certainly one of the most dramatic campaigns we’ve been involved in to date. It was all featured on Animal Planets “Whale Wars: Season 2” which aired this summer in the US and Canada. We know we’re really having an impact on the Japanese whaling industry, and the escalation of aggressive response by the Japanese whalers to our tactics demonstrates this. The Japanese have responded by throwing metal objects at our crew and by using a military grade LRAD (long range acoustic device) weapon at our ships and helicopter.
How can one get involved in the Conservation Society?
You can get involved online and sign up to donate, volunteer, or receive our E-newsletter to stay informed of our defense campaigns.
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