About Us

Established in 1977, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) is an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization. Our mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world's oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species.

Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately-balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations.

History

1979 - Paul Watson decides to hunt down the pirate whaling vessel Sierra and put an end to its career.

1980 - The Sierra is sunk by Sea Shepherd operatives in Lisbon Harbour, Portugal.

Sea Shepherd forces the owners of the outlaw whaler Astrid to retire the vessel in the Canary Islands.

Sea Shepherd operatives sink two spanish whalers, Ibsa I and Ibsa II in the port of Vigo, Spain.

Sea Shepherd assists in the seizure of the pirate whalers Susan and Theresa by the South African Navy. Both whalers are sunk.

1981 - Sea Shepherd investigates illegal whaling activities in Siberia. The Sea Shepherd crew is able to get the documentation despite a dramatic confrontation with the Soviet Navy. Captain Watson returns to the US with evidence of Soviet violations, which is in turn handed over to Congress.

1986 - Sea Shepherd obstructs and documents the Faeroese pilot whale slaughter. The Faeroese respond by arresting crewmembers and attacking with rifle fire and tear gas. The crew of the Sea Shepherd II is forced to defend the ship with water cannons. The incident is filmed and aired in a BBC produced award-winning documentary titled Black Harvest.

Sea Shepherd scuttles two of Iceland's four whaling ships, thereby decommissioning half of Iceland's whaling fleet. The whale processing plant in Reykjavik is also shut down.

1992 - Sea Shepherd crew sink the Norwegian whaling vessel Nybraena in the Lofoten Islands, northern Norway.

1994 - Sea Shepherd crew scuttle the Norwegian whaler, Senet in southern Norway.

Paul Watson takes his ship and crew to the Lofoten Islands to block whaling ships. In international waters he is intercepted by the Norwegian Navy. The M/Y Whales Forever is depth-charged, fired upon and rammed by the Norwegian warship Ardenes. The Whales Forever is severely damaged and has to be retired. International media attention is brought to bear on the illegality of Norwegian whaling and the Norwegian authorities are severely embarrassed in the international community.

1997 - Sea Shepherd volunteers enter Siberia to document the killing of whales by Siberian natives. Although their lives are threatened, they report to the International Whaling Commission meeting in Monaco with evidence of the illegal commercial whale hunt. The evidence includes footage of butchered whales being processed into feed for fur farms.

1998 - The Norwegian whaler, Morild - owned by the notorious whale killer Stienar Bastesen - is sunk.

At the urging of the commercial whaling industries of Norway and Japan - with promises of lucrative future trade - the US Makah natives claim a right to hunt Gray Whales. Despite mob violence, arrest and official harassment, the coalition of activists led by Sea Shepherd shield the local whales and succeed in focusing enough media attention on the 'hunt' to end the slaughter.

2000 - Sea Shepherd sails to the Faeroe Islands to intervene against the annual slaughter of pilot whales. Once again, the issue of the blood sport is brought to the eyes of the European media. Sea Shepherd brings economic pressure to bear against those companies still purchasing seafood from the Faeroes (with seafood exports making up to 90% of Faeroes economy), most prominently Netherlands based giant Unilever. 20,000 European retail outlets terminate their Faeroese fish contracts at the request of Sea Shepherd.

2001 - Coinciding with the annual meeting of the IWC, Sea Shepherd crew film a fisherman bringing in a slain pilot whale on St Lucia. The previous day the St government had denied that St Lucia hunts whales. Sea Shepherd co-ordinates an international email campaign against Caribbean nations voting with Japan at the IWC in exchange for 'fisheries aid'. St Lucia receives more than 400 cancellations of resort bookings as a result.

2002 - Sea Shepherd sets out to hunt down the Japanese whaling fleet in Antarctic waters. The whaling fleet is able to change plans and avoids confrontation with Sea Shepherd. As a result the capability of aerial surveillance is considered a virtual necessity for future voyages to the Southern Ocean.

2005 - Sea Shepherd returns to Antarctica to target the Japanese whaling fleet, this time with air support. Sea Shepherd rams the fleet's supply vessel Oriental Bluebird and prevents whaling for fifteen days.

2006 - Sea Shepherd send two ships - the Robert Hunter and the Farley Mowat to the Southern Ocean to intervene against Japanese whaling. The Robert Hunter suffers a three foot gash during a collision with the Kaiko Maru in sea ice.

When Iceland expresses intention to resume killing minke and fin whales, Sea Shepherd mobilises the Farley Mowat to the North Atlantic. The operation is suspended when Iceland postpones the hunt for one year.

2008 - Two Sea Shepherd volunteers board the Japanese whaler Yushin Maru No.2 to deliver a statement outlining the illegality of the fleet's operations in the Southern Ocean. Through direct intervention Sea Shepherd prevents the Japanese whaling fleet from taking nearly half its quota.

Focus of Activities

Established in 1977, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) is an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organisation whose mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world's oceans in order to protect and conserve species and ecosystems.

Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately balanced ocean eco-systems Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations.

Galapagos

Since 2000, Sea Shepherd has maintained a strong, positive presence in the Galapagos Islands. From patroling the Marine Reserve stopping illegal fishing activities, to busting shark finners, to educating the local youth, Sea Shepherd carries out its mission of promoting ocean conservation using a wide range of methods and actions. The Galapagos is our line in the sand. If humanity cannot protect such a unique and diverse ecosystem, we will not be able to protect any ecosystem. The Galapagos is a challenge and battlefield for the effort to halt human greed and destruction. These Enchanted Isles are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and this means all of us have a responsibility to help protect them from illegal exploitation

Long-lining

One of the priority campaigns for Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is the global problem of longline fishing. It is the policy of the Society to directly intervene to stop the illegal use of longlines

Shark finning

Human beings are skilled at justification. Every year humans slaughter over 100 million sharks yet we depict them as vicious and blood-thirsty killers. No more than 12 people a year are killed by sharks worldwide. Many more humans are struck and killed by boats every year. It is the mass slaughter of sharks on long-lines and in nets for the sole purpose of taking their fins that is responsible for the incredible diminishment of shark populations around the world. The fins are highly prized. The fishermen catch the sharks and slice off the fins, unmindful whether the shark is alive or not. The bodies, most of them still alive, are tossed back into the sea to bleed to death or to be attacked by other sharks or fish

Seals

Canada's commercial seal "hunt" is the largest mass slaughter of marine mammals in the world. Sea Shepherd continues to oppose this annual obscenity called a "hunt." It is not a hunt because the sealers simply walk up to the seals (who have no means of escaping or hiding) and bash the seals on the head or shoot them. Sea Shepherd, though known for direct action uses other methods to bring the "hunt" to a permanent end

Taiji dolphin slaughter

It is a bloodbath, cruel and barbaric. Each year, the idyllic and peaceful setting of the village of Taiji in southern Japan is shattered by almost unspeakable cruelty as incredible pain and ultimate death is inflicted on defenceless dolphins. SSCS is mounting a worldwide publicity campaign about the slaughter.

Notable Achievements

Sea Shepherd managed to drastically reduce the Japanese Whale catch in the 2007/08 hunting season. For many more achievements, read the History section above.

Celebrity Supporters

Richard Dean Anderson, Pierce Brosnan, Anthony Kiedis, Michael 'Flea' Balzary, Martin Sheen, Brigitte Bardot, Sean Penn, Rutger Hauer, Kelly Slater, Dave Rastovich, Maurice Cole

Regions / countries which benefit

International

How to donate

Follow this link to donate:  https://my.seashepherd.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=184

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Articles Published on SuperGreenMe: 299

• Captain Watson Offers $20,000 Reward to Help Apprehend Gulf Dolphin Killers
• Operation Ferocious Isles: Defending the Rights of Whales in the Faeroe Islands
• Ron el tiburón emerges from the depths of the sea
• German National Released from Shingu Jail
• Sea Shepherd Ship Severely Damaged by Rogue Wave
• Western Australia Dept of Fisheries Put Sharks in Jeopardy
• The Galapagos office completes environmental education project for local schools
• Steve Irwin Tailed by Somali Pirates in the Gulf of Aden
• The Bob Barker Engages Poachers in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary
• Challenging Death on the Beaches of Namibia
• Trial Begins For Dutch Cove Guardian Erwin Vermeulen in Taiji, Japan
• The Brigitte Bardot Arrives in Williamstown
• Captain Paul Watson’s Arrest Appears to Be Bad News for the Shark Finners of Costa Rica
• O.R.C.A Force UAV Captures First Footage of Sealers
• Gojira joins the rest of her Sea Shepherd Fleet
• Former Greens Senator Bob Brown in Broome to begin Operation Kimberley Miinimbi
• Narrow Escape for the Gojira
• S.O.S. Day – Save Our Skipper – Wednesday May 23rd
• Japanese Harpoon Vessel enters the Australian Twelve Mile Limit
• Puget Sound Orcas Endangered Status Threatened
• Sea Shepherd Australia To Lead Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign
• Sea Shepherd Announces Southern Operation Base
• Letter From the Former Minister of the Environment of Australia Senator Ian Campbell
• VSO Day
• Sea Shepherd Australia Welcomes Former Greens Leader Bob Brown to its Board of Directors
• Urgent Call to Sea Shepherd Supporters - Help Save Captain Watson from Extradition to Costa Rica!
• Announcing the Winners of the “Save Our Skipper” Online Visual Petition Contest!
• Hoka Hey! All Systems Go For Sea Shepherd’s Operation Divine Wind
• Operation No Compromise is Officially Over
• The Beast Transforms into a Beauty as Godzilla Becomes the Brigitte Bardot
• The Whalers Head Home!
• Sea Shepherd Crewmembers Discuss The Grind on CNN
• Romance in the Southern Ocean
• Sea Shepherd Vessel Brigitte Bardot Relaunched and Ready For Action
• Japanese Whalers Issue a False Distress Signal
• Cove Guardian Erwin Vermeulen Receives a Hero’s Welcome in Amsterdam
• Sea Shepherd Launches New Skateboard Line with Sector 9
• Judge Denies Bail in Galapagos Iguana Smuggling Case
• Standing Tall in Taiji
• Operation Infinite Patience – the Cove Guardians have Arrived!
• Report from the International Whaling Commission
• Sea Shepherd Stands Tall for the Whales in Jersey
• Sea Shepherd Calls For Immediate Protection of New Zealand’s Critically Endangered Maui’s and Hector's Dolphins
• Long Awaited Ombudsman Report Proves Disappointing for Namibia’s Cape Fur Seals
• Cove Guardian Radios Banned by Police in Taiji
• Tuna Battle off the Barbary Coast
• Hearing to Discuss PG&E’s Central Coast Seismic Testing Permit Request To Be Held Nov. 14th
• Update on Imprisoned Cove Guardian Erwin Vermeulen February 8, 2012
• The Five Nations Iroquois Confederacy asks for the release of Captain Paul Watson
• Bloody and Brutal Namibian Seal Hunt Season Ends
• Sea Shepherd Welcomes Iconic 007 Star Sean Connery, Champion Pro Surfer Stephanie Gilmore, and Award-winning TV Executive Sam Simon to its International Board of Advisors
• Dutch National Postcode Lottery Prolongs Collaboration with Sea Shepherd
• Japan uses Sea Shepherd to Deflect Corruption Charges at IWC Meeting
• Sea Shepherd Crewmember knocked into frigid Antarctic waters by Japanese Water Cannon
• Sea Shepherd Galapagos Completes the Installation of AIS sites
• Sea Shepherd Announces the No Compromise Sale
• Thank-giving Day Slaughter of Dolphins at Taiji
• Sea Shepherd Welcomes Legendary Free Divers to Our Board of Advisors
• Sea Shepherd Galapagos Launches Environmental law Manual
• Japanese Whalers Escorted out of the Whaling Grounds
• Home and Away star Rallies for the Whales
• Sea Shepherd at the Heart of a Japanese Scandal
• Japanese Whalers and Sea Shepherd Skirmish on the Date Line
• Aspro International Purchases Six Dolphins Caught in Taiji’s Killing “Cove”
• Stand Up for Our Coral Sea Whales and Sharks
• Reflections on a Sea Lion Killing Season at the Bonneville Dam
• Will Japan Provide Anti-poaching Support to the Republic of Palau?
• John Paul DeJoria Pleas to German Ministry to Free Paul Watson
• CTV’s W5 Profile on Captain Paul Watson
• Wikileaks Reveals Sea Shepherd is a Serious Concern to Japan’s Illegal Whaling Operations
• Another Industrial Shark Fishing Vessel is Apprehended in Galapagos
• Japanese Whalers Acknowledge Sea Shepherd Success
• Preparations for Operation Divine Wind are Underway
• Sea Shepherd's Flagship Vessel the Steve Irwin is Free at Last
• Operation Blue Rage 2011 Commences: Sea Shepherd Departs for Hostile Libyan Waters to Save Tuna
• Human Impact Affecting Wildlife Population in Argentina
• Sea Shepherd Crewmember Assists with Baby Humpback Rescue in Tonga
• Operation Infinite Patience: Cove Guardians 2012-2013
• Operation Divine Wind Update
• Sea Shepherd Awarded 4-Star Rating for the Third Consecutive Year by Charity Navigator
• Hunting the Hunters Through Ice and Storms
• Costa Rica Elevates Politically Motivated Attack Upon Captain Watson and Sea Shepherd; Interpol ‘Red’ Notice Issued
• Sea Shepherd Sting Campaign ends in Court
• Sea Shepherd Launches Operation Zero Tolerance
• Ten Libyan Bluefin Tuna Poaching Boats Detained in France
• Captain Paul Watson Sends First Message To Supporters Since Departing Germany
• Help Shape Threat Management Plan for New Zealand’s Endemic Maui’s Dolphin
• SOS – Save Our Ship the Steve Irwin! – Update and Continuing Appeal
• Two Faeroese Nationals join Sea Shepherd in Torshavn Harbour
• Raising Awareness About Our Oceans on Aerosmith’s “Global Warming Tour”
• Sea Shepherd Requests the Support of a Greenpeace Ship
• Help Sea Shepherd Launch a Third Large Whale Protection Ship
• Lady Justice Has Abandoned Galapagos
• Global Cycling Contestant Riding to Raise Funds for Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Makes His Way Across The U.S.
• Captain Paul Watson Meets with the Foreign Minister of Costa Rica Enrique Castillo
• Sea Shepherd Receives Commendation from New Zealand
• O.R.C.A. FORCE
• Whales Weep Not!
• Sea Shepherd Cove Guardian Erwin Vermeulen Meets the Press at Tokyo’s Foreign Correspondents’ Club
• Statement from Humane Society International

References

• www.seashepherd.org
• Ocean Warrior - Paul Watson - Key Porter Books Limited
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_Shephard

Sea Shepherd News http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/sea-shepherd-news/feed/rss.html

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