Have you ever heard of the phrase “Everyone likes to watch a train wreck”? Well I don’t know how many people have heard of this new show on Animal Planet, but I do recommend it to everyone. The new show, Whale Wars, follows a group of sea conversationalists known as the “Sea Shepherds” on their quest in protecting whales from being hunted in Antarctic waters. The documentary style drama captures what these eco-warriors do best – doing everything in their power to try and stop Japanese whaling ships… and when I say “everything in their power”, I really do mean EVERYTHING.
Now normally I would whole-heartedly commend these noble deeds (who can say no to whales??), but after watching the first few episodes I’ve come to a realization that the whole Sea Shepherd crew is probably more borderline insane than actually doing any good.
The actual Sea Shepherd flag... I kid you not.
Couple of the normal tactics that they use to distract the whaling ships include throwing stink bombs and Methocel packets (substance that makes the ship deck very slippery), which are laughable at best. But other more dangerous and risky escapades include throwing long lengths of thick rope underneath the whaling ship in hopes that the rope will become entangled in the propellers, navigating precariously close to a massive whaling vessel in a small inflatable zodiac, and setting out on attack missions in the middle of the night without really any solid plans – only to get lost for hours in the dark and endless ocean. Every step of the way, the seemingly inexperienced crew are constantly putting themselves and others in harms way, and it’s only a matter of time until someone really gets hurt. And although it may seem wrong, I am secretly waiting for that instant to happen (they kind of deserve it).
I mean really, when the captain asks two members of his crew to take a zodiac, get close to a whaling ship, and then throw themselves overboard onto the whaling ship in an attempt to become whale war hostages??? That’s just the most winning combination of lunacy and retardation I’ve ever seen. Oh, and when they decide that it was a good idea to board a Japanese “spy” vessel to destroy their communication equipment? Pure Homer Simpson-esque S.M.R.T.s there, not to mention that all of their more-than-likely illegal actions are documented on film for the world to watch.
I guess the thing to remember here that these people are not highly trained special ops personnel equipped to overtake illegal whaling ships… these people are not even the coast guard for crying out loud. They are pretty much the craziest of the environmentalists out there, whom are already pretty crazy themselves in my book. Case in point: living in a tree for 10 months in UC Berkeley. Add a couple of inflatable rafts, a helicopter, and some complicated hydraulic machinery just for kicks and you got yourself a TV show!
Animal Planet - Whale Wars Preview
The only thing that I do find sad is that despite all of the media attention this attracts to illegal whaling operations, it sets back any real anti-whaling negotiations by years on the pure fact that nations view the Sea Shepherd tactics as more acts of piracy than anything meaningful. In fact, even Animal Planet has recently inserted disclaimers between each of its commercial breaks, distancing themselves from actions of the Sea Shepherd group… so you know it has to be good!
Actually you have got things really wrong. The SSCS Captain & crew are doing the only thing that will stop the Japanese Whaling. You obviously did no reserach on Captain Watson and his expericed members. Having sunk numerous whaling ships over many years without even on injury means your appraisal of him is not worth a tin of shit. They are in fact upholding international law, enforcing many MEA’s [mutli-lateral enviroenmental Agreements} that the Japs has signed up to but break with impunity. Why? because no Government has the intestinal fortitude [balls] to take them on, dispite there being legal avenues that could be taken.
I suggest you go away do your research and come back with an informed opinion. If not don’t display your ignorance on a subject you appear to know FA about.
aroha
Dave
Aotearoa.
I completely agree with the opinions expressed here. These people are obviously borderline insane. This can not be the best approach to the situation.
Do people actually believe something is being accomplished by these lunatics? This is not “for a good cause” but simply pure entertainment and nothing else.
@Dave Head
Dave,
Have you really watched all the episodes? The people on the Sea Shepherd may mean well but they have a very warped sense of their own responsibility. Granted the Japanese may be taking advantage of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) ruling, but they were forced into by the U.S. The Japanese have historically always had a whaling industry as their source of protein (it makes up 1/4 of their diet today). It is analogous to several foreign countries getting together and saying to the U.S. that they have passing a moratorium on beef slaughtering and they will embargo your products if you do not agree.
But regardless of the Japanese, the Sea Shephard and Paul Watson are willing to harm themselves and the Japanese if that is what it takes (at some point when humans put animal life ahead of their own lives and other human life, it seems like their priorities are a bit warped.
Even GreenPeace kicked Paul Watson out of their organization and distanced themselves from the Sea Sheapard because of the extreme eco-terrorism acts they seem willing to take.
*Launching the small Zodiac boats: they do so without a lot of training–capsizing once, almost loosing individuals to the sea or being hit by the prop.
*Several times “Capt Paul” has indicated he cares more about keeping up with the Japanese factory ship than he cares about his zodiac boat crews safety. One episode he said, “…keep on the Japanese ship, our boats can catch up”, when in fact the small boat was navigating around small icebergs, unable to catch up.
*It really summed up to me what Paul Watson is about when he staged to have two of his people sneak on board the Japanese ship, then when the Japanese discovered what was happening, the held the two uninvited, potentially armed crew. Meanwhile Paul had his photographer to take pictures of the Japanese holding onto the two Sea Shepherd crewmates to try to get them back on their own boat. Paul spun it like this: “The Japanese have kidnapped two of our crew and are illegally detaining them”. [unbelievable, wouldn't you say?]
All the while, the Sea Shepherd crew all seem to really think they are at “war”. The problem is, their actions have inflamed the Japanese people nationally and in turn, it has escalated Japanese counter-defenses like water cannons and LRAD technology. I won’t be surprised if tear gas, non-lethal bullets and other things like that start to show up on one side or the other.
Also, while most viewers of Whale Wars like the TV drama, they overwhelmingly disapprove of Paul Watson’s antics and think the Sea Shepherd is out of line.
Sooner or later, the cost will be human lives and they may just serve to escalate tension–leading nowhere toward a solution.
The Sea Shepherd might actually save many times more whales if they went after the number one predator of Minke whales: Antarctic Killer whales (type A) feed almost exclusively on Minke whales. Somehow the Japanese are demonized by harvesting 3,000 small Minke whales out of a total population estimated at 750,000 whales and growing.
Lastly, a psychology question: why does man value certain animal life over others or even humans? (i.e. why are whales more of a concern than cows, chicken or other animals?) Just asking….
Donald: Are you serious? Man SHOULD value ‘certain’ animal life, as the disappearance of any single species drastically upsets our already precarious ecosystem. Cows and chickens aren’t an issue, as they are hardly anywhere near extinct or threatened. Really, Donald, engage your brain before trying to make a point please. I not only watch “Whale Wars”, I cheer their attempts to stop the unnecessary and useless killing and breaking of laws, as does my whole family.
And FYI: Greenpeace kicked Paul Watson out of their organization because their sole purpose is to watch and bear witness, not to actually try to stop anything from happening. They’re no better than human cameras, and in fact they’re much less since their eyes don’t record a single thing for others to see.
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wtf pete bethume did not go aboard to destroy comunications jackass. he went aboard to aresst the captain. Potts and Sel boarded the yushin maru on their own decision. paul watson quit green peace to start his own orginization. and you a fucking retard
This post was made in 2008, so I was commenting on the actions of Sea Shepherd’s crew in Season 1 of Whale Wars. Pete Bethune did not arrive until Season 3 of the show (which incredibly, was quite an impressive campaign).
And as a side note… you seem to lack a grasp for proper grammar and spelling.
HI MY NAME IS CHERYL PEARSON & RON CARY,MY OTHER HALF,WE JUST LOVE WHAT YOU ARE DOING ,WE WACH THE SHOW ALL THE TIME,WE HAVE A THOUGHT THAT MAY BE IF YOU DROPED STINK BOOMS FROM THE HELYCOPTER YOU CAN MOER OF BEATER HIT ON THE SHIPS,AN STEAD OF JUST THE SIEDS,RIGHT ON THE IN SIEDS WHWERE THE WHALES ARE BROUT UP.FLIY RIGHT A BOUVE THEAM THAN DROP STERAT DOWN.PS THIS LAST YEARE I SEANT A LETTER DI YOU GET IT???????, LOVE ALL OF YOU KEEP GOING.