Animal Planet Host to Whale Wars and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Posted by lindseyshoe
A new show hosted by Animal Planet, “Whale Wars” takes a look at the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, the protection of whales and the effects of this important conservation issue.
When Greenpeace Wasn’t Enough, Paul Watson Sailed On
Captain Paul Watson founded the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in 1977. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has a mission to eradicate whaling, poaching, shark finning and habitat destruction. Watson was the co-founder of the environmental awareness group Greenpeace. Watson believed that more was needed to protect these animals and their homes and to uphold international conservation laws related to the high seas.
Have you made your holiday plans? Find out how The Sea Shepherds spend their holidays.
For years Watson and his crew of staff and volunteers have waged a winter campaign to find and stop Japanese ships and to prevent them from hunting whales for research by any non-violent means necessary. The group of activists, sometimes called eco-pirates leave Melbourne, Australia for a two-month long trip spending their holidays risking their lives to the save whales.
Non-violent? Maybe, but it’s not non-controversial.
The challenge facing the Society is that different countries and organizations interpret international laws differently. The Sea Shepherds used many methods to stops whaling including some aggressive techniques like ramming and disabling whale ships and engaging in “physical entanglement.” The Sea Shepherds also board whale ships and disrupt whale carcass processing.
In 1982 the International Whaling Commission ordered a moratorium on commercial fishing. In 1986 Japan officially withdrew its opposition to the IWC’s moratorium on commercial whaling. However the following year Japan announced a “scientific whaling program” that was research based. Many, including the Sea Shepherds feel that this research program is simply a front for continued whaling.
Japan claims that their motives and methods are sound and that the actions of the Sea Shepherds are illegal and amount to eco-terrorism.
Paul Watson says, “Whaling has no place in the 21st century. Sea Shepherd will not stop until the killing ends.”
Steve Irwin is Honored by the Conservationist.
Before the 2007 campaign, the Sea Shepherds christened their ship in honor of Steve Irvin, the Australian conservationist and star of Crocodile Hunter. Steve Irwin’s widow, Terri offered her blessing and support of the organization.
You Can Come Aboard on Animal Planet
A documentary of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society called “Whale Wars” is airing on Animal Planet on Friday nights at 9 p.m. EST. Over the 2007- 2008 campaign Animal Planet “captured the intensity of Sea Shepherd’s mission and the trials and tribulations of the crew.” The new seven part series offers an hour-long episode each Friday night on Animal Planet. This high-action adventure documentary caught engagements, capsizing and alleged shootings and hostage taking. The series is drawing attention to this global conservation issue and the need for a united approach worldwide to the practice of whaling.
“Whale Wars is an epic adventure that looks at the consequences of taking a stand on an issue,” says Marjorie Kaplan, president and general manager of Animal Planet. Kaplan adds, “It is so important that Whale Wars calls Animal Planet its home. It’s truly compelling television, and it is entertainment with a conservation message infused to its core.”
3 Responses to “Animal Planet Host to Whale Wars and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society”
-
Hi Elmer,
Have you seen our section on solar cooking?
Building solar cookers is simple and can save the wood used for cooking… solar cooking can cook food, and even boil water, turning water into steam, which can be harnessed into a turbine which can be turned into electricity.
We’d appreciate your feedback after you take a look at the section on solar cooking.
http://www.GreenJoyment.com/solar-cookers
Thanks Elmer for making a decision to do what you can to make the planet a better place!
Warmest,
Jonathan
http://www.GreenJoyment.com -
Here is an idea for the Philippine. Most Phillipinos live in huts don’t they with either metal or thatch roofs? Here is a cheap way to make solar tubes for such buildings. Get a clear bottle. Glass is best but plastic will work. Fill it with water and add a lot of bleach so algae doesn’t grow and stick it through your roof. It will let light in.
I live close to a secluded village in the Philippines. All the people there -including me- don’t have grid electricity. We use kerosen for lighting and wood for cooking. In other words, our lifestyle haven’t change much since our forefather’s.
But we have to change with the times.
We need to teach our children to live with the good modern ways while keeping the good old ways. Having a cheap renewable energy source for community lighting is a good start. I am thankful indeed for any suggestion on the matter.