95-567: The MY Steve Irwin was the 59-metre (194 ft) flagship of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society , and was used in their direct action campaigns against whaling and against illegal fisheries activities. The vessel was built in 1975 and formerly served as a Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency conservation enforcement patrol boat, the FPV Westra , for 28 years. Sea Shepherd had originally christened
190-548: A Quiksilver Australia /Sea Shepherd partnership featuring a fundraising clothing line, including board shorts designed by Slater. In 2013 alt-metal band Klogr started supporting Sea Shepherd in Europe through the videos "Guinea Pigs" (2013) and "Zero Tolerance" (2014), featuring images from Sea Shepherd documentaries filmed in Taiji and other missions. The Lush cosmetics company joined with Sea Shepherd to raise awareness about
285-599: A jet ski , boarding Shōnan Maru 2 . He was subsequently detained and later arrested by the Japan Coast Guard for trespassing. The two ships remained behind the whaler until Steve Irwin was forced to return to Australia on February 18, arriving in Hobart on March 6. In late February 2011, during Operation No Compromise, Steve Irwin was contacted by the Royal New Zealand Navy to take part in
380-547: A Financial and Management Advisory Board. Sea Shepherd engages in conventional protests and direct actions to protect marine wildlife. Sea Shepherd operations have included interdiction against commercial fishing , shark poaching and finning , seal hunting , and whaling . The group has been active in intervening against fishing and poaching in the South Pacific , the Mediterranean , and in waters around
475-661: A biotech businessman. The vessel was named MV Sharpie , and for its maiden mission it will join Operation Milagro in the Gulf of California to help save the endangered vaquita porpoise . The ships of the fleet have flown the flags of a variety of different nations. Canada , Belize , UK and Togo have revoked the registrations of various vessels. Both the Steve Irwin and Bob Barker ships now sail under Dutch flag leading to direct complaints by
570-718: A boat on 3 December carrying 53 suspected asylum seekers and four crew off the Ashmore Islands ; the 50th asylum seeker vessel to be intercepted in Australian waters in 2009. Oceanic Viking was taken out of service in June 2011. It was replaced by the chartered offshore supply ship MV Skandi Bergen which was renamed ACV Ocean Protector . Oceanic Viking subsequently became the UK-flagged MV European Supporter . The European Supporter
665-535: A law enforcement mission. A 2008 academic paper by researchers at Monash University in Melbourne , Victoria , concluded that Sea Shepherd's approach could constitute vigilantism , because its seeks to enforce a legal status quo in the face of the international community's "inabilities or unwillingness to do so". Watson left Greenpeace in 1977 after being voted off the board over his confrontational methods. Since then, Greenpeace has criticized Sea Shepherd for
760-653: A number of militant actions against whale hunting, driftnet fishing, seal hunting and other related issues" and mentions "activities against logging operations in Canada". In 2007, Ian Campbell , then the Australian Environment Minister and a vigorous critic of Japan's whaling, once opposed Sea Shepherd's tactics, saying that it really put the cause of conservation backwards. Due to the 2008 operations against Canadian seal hunters, Danny Williams , Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador , called Watson
855-481: A result, Paul Watson and US members of Sea Shepherd are currently prohibited by US courts from approaching Japanese whalers, even if they are observed acting in defiance of international law , including by killing whales in protected waters. In March 2012, reacting to Paul Watson's allegation that Maltese politicians were bribed by the Bluefin tuna industry, Prime Minister of Malta Lawrence Gonzi announced that
950-686: A small group of supporters, Watson convinced Cleveland Amory , head of the Fund for Animals, to fund Watson's first vessel, the Sea Shepherd in 1978. The first direct action undertaken by the organization was against Canadian seal hunting in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in March 1979. The same year, the Sea Shepherd also rammed an unregulated Portuguese whaling vessel, the notorious Sierra . After
1045-526: A terrorist and said that Sea Shepherd was not welcome in the province. The group has been accused of eco-terrorism by the Japanese government, whose internationally banned whaling program is a principal focus of the Sea Shepherd. It has also been opposed by some countries that also oppose whaling, including Australia and New Zealand. Sea Shepherd has based many of its operations out of Australia with foreign crew members being able to travel in and out of
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#17327829470881140-766: A wrathful, scowling statue of the deity Hayagriva , which expresses compassion and determination in overcoming obstacles. However, during a visit to Japan in 2010, the Dalai Lama said that while he agrees with the goal of stopping Japan from hunting whales, they should stop using violent methods to achieve that goal. Sea Shepherd's campaigns have been documented in the Netflix documentary Seaspiracy , TV series Whale Wars , and TV series Ocean Warriors produced by Animal Planet / Discovery Channel , and in books by current and past members including: Sea Shepherd website . MV Oceanic Viking The MV Oceanic Viking
1235-544: Is a basic Sea Shepherd Museum, bar, cafe, ship tours, weekend and monthly events The vessel is temporarily in Newcastle Harbour for repairs and plans to eventually head north to Brisbane. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ( SSCS ) is a non-profit , marine conservation activism organization based in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, Washington , in
1330-538: Is a close friend of founder Paul Watson. In 2007, actor Heath Ledger conceived and directed a music video of the Modest Mouse song " King Rat ", intended to raise awareness of the whale hunts taking place each year off the coast of his native Australia. Although Ledger died before the video could be completed, others finished it in his honor and debuted the video online in August 2009. Proceeds from iTunes sales of
1425-460: Is a leading target of the organization's efforts, has called Sea Shepherd eco-terrorists for "impeding their research". The predecessor organization of Sea Shepherd, the "Earth Force Society", was formed in 1977, after its founder, Paul Watson was ousted from the board of Greenpeace for disagreements over his direct action activism which clashed with their pacifist nature. Watson soon left Greenpeace. Initially without funding and with only
1520-546: Is a non-governmental, non-profit environmental organization. In the United States it has a 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Most of the organization's revenue is spent on its programs – 89.9 percent in 2019, with just 10.1 percent spent on administrative costs and fundraising . Sea Shepherd has also been rated highly for financial transparency and accountability. The group is supported by private and corporate donations, lectures by Watson, internet advertising and grants. It
1615-516: Is also one of Sea Shepherd's British ambassadors. Vegan straight edge band Earth Crisis and Zoltán Téglás of Ignite support SSCS, among other environmental organizations, dedicating songs such as "So Others Live" and "Ultramilitance" to them. Giacomo "Josh" Giorgi, vocalist of now-defunct Italian straight edge hardcore band To Kill is the bosun's mate aboard the MY Steve Irwin . In 2009, professional surfer Kelly Slater joined
1710-529: Is named MY Farley Mowat , after an earlier vessel impounded by the Canadian government, and the other was named MY Jules Verne , after the author of the 1870 novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas , but was renamed MV John Paul DeJoria on January 31, 2017. On December 7, 2017, the organization announced the acquisition of a third Island-class Cutter thanks to a donation from Chris Sharp,
1805-414: Is operated by volunteers and a small paid staff, and is committed to staying small and with low spending on fundraising or recruitment. Sea Shepherd is governed by a board of directors and several boards of advisers, each addressing an area of expertise. The Scientific, Technical and Conservation Advisory Board includes Earth First! founder Dave Foreman and Horst Klienschmidt, a former deputy chair of
1900-476: Is ready to release the two Conservationists provided that full security can be secured for our research vessel. Sea Shepherd is a very violent organisation." In a letter faxed to Steve Irwin , the ICR stated that part of the handover conditions include that Sea Shepherd "must not take any violent action or video/photo shooting activities against us." The acid in question was, according to Sea Shepherd, butyric acid, which
1995-563: Is that we don't respond to terrorist demands." Following the March 3 clashes between Sea Shepherd members aboard Steve Irwin and Japanese whalers, the Dutch government announced that it was investigating the incident as the vessel sails under the Dutch flag. On February 6, Steve Irwin collided with the vessel Yūshin Maru No. 2 ( Japanese : 第2勇新丸 ) and later with the vessel Yūshin Maru No. 3 ( Japanese : 第3勇新丸 ) while they were whaling in
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#17327829470882090-640: The Farley Mowat (impounded by the Canadian government, with Sea Shepherd having stated that they have no intention of paying the legal fines and berthage fees to recover their now obsolete vessel) and the Ady Gil , formerly known as the Earthrace (sunk after a collision with the MV ; Shōnan Maru 2 whaling security vessel in early 2010) as well as a number of earlier vessels. Sea Shepherd acquired
2185-504: The Captain Paul Watson Foundation , and a competing Sea Shepherd group called Sea Shepherd Origins. The France, UK, and Brazil chapters of Sea Shepherd have pledged their allegiance to Paul Watson and Sea Shepherd Origins, and have left the umbrella of Sea Shepherd Global. Neither Sea Shepherd Global or the regional chapters that remain loyal to it have issued statements in regard to these events. Sea Shepherd
2280-716: The Galapagos Islands . In addition to their direct action campaigns, Sea Shepherd works on ocean issues such as plastic pollution . Sea Shepherd chapters across the world organize onshore cleanups throughout the year to pick up debris near oceans, streams, and rivers. In April 2018, Sea Shepherd released a PSA that takes an artistic approach to telling target audiences that more than one million marine animals die every year from plastic debris. According to its mission statement, Sea Shepherd "uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on
2375-469: The International Court of Justice ruled Japan's whaling program was not for scientific purposes. The Court ordered that Japan "revoke any extant authorization, permit or licence to kill, take or treat whales" and refrain from granting any further permits." In response to the court ruling, Japan cut its annual whaling quota from 915 to 333. The new quota included only minke whales , and ended
2470-550: The International Whaling Commission (2006). The Legal and Law Enforcement Advisory Board includes Ian Campbell , a former Australian Minister of the Environment and Heritage (2004–07). The Animal Welfare, Humane and Animal Rights Advisory Board included animal rights philosopher Tom Regan , until his death in 2017. There is also a Media and Arts Advisory Board, Photography Advisory Board and
2565-747: The Italian Coast Guard in Sicily (Operation Siracusa), Mexican Navy (Operation Milagro) and the Coastguards of Gabon and São Tomé and Príncipe (Operation Albacore), which saw Gabonese military marines sail aboard Sea Shepherd vessels. In late 2022, a schism occurred after Paul Watson was removed from the board of directors of Sea Shepherd Global, a move which, he says, was due to the organization shifting away from his policy of independent, direct action to one of collaboration with governments. Watson subsequently formed his own organization,
2660-478: The MV Shōnan Maru 2 to observe the movements of the vessel. Heavy swells barred the Delta from reaching the vessel, and, upon arrival, a Japanese LRAD was used against the helicopter which forced it to stand down. For the next two weeks, Shōnan Maru 2 continued to observe Steve Irwin , despite continued attempts by the ship to lose the tail. Ultimately, Steve Irwin returned to Australia, where Shōnan Maru
2755-663: The Ocean 7 Adventurer for its 2010/11 campaign against Japanese whaling in the Antarctic. In November 2010, Mayor Brad Pettitt of Fremantle, Western Australia , christened the vessel Gojira with Fremantle as its home port, making this the first Sea Shepherd ship registered in Australia, with an Australian crew. The Gojira was renamed MV Brigitte Bardot in May 2011 after complaints of copyright infringement by Toho . For
2850-455: The Portugal campaign, the first Sea Shepherd had to be scuttled , but Watson sold the story to raise money to fund his next vessel. He then spent the 1980s undertaking a variety of controversial and dangerous operations in support of various marine conservation aims, and physically intervened against Russian, Spanish, Norwegian, Icelandic, Makah , Faroese , and Japanese whalers. In
2945-949: The Southern Ocean , and has invited the media to ride along. In 2006, representatives from Seven network and National Geographic magazine, along with documentary filmmakers, accompanied the group. In a television series entitled Whale Wars , Discovery Communications , Inc. documented Sea Shepherd's 2008/09 Antarctic campaign against Japanese whalers, following events on the Steve Irwin . The program premiered on November 7, 2008, on Discovery's Animal Planet network. Sea Shepherd has received financial contributions from celebrities and businessmen such as entrepreneur Steve Wynn , television personality Bob Barker , and John Paul DeJoria , as well as other celebrities. Martin Sheen , Daryl Hannah , and Richard Dean Anderson have joined
MY Steve Irwin - Misplaced Pages Continue
3040-551: The Steve Irwin when they shot in front of us to transfer whale." For the next year, the ship was drydocked in Brisbane while repairs to the hull and other alterations could be made. Included in these renovations was the installation of Steve Irwin ' s own water cannon for use in campaigns. After three days, a suspected Japanese-chartered aircraft located the Steve Irwin en route to the Southern Ocean and instructed
3135-561: The Tasmanian Greens and the former Greens Senator Bob Brown , has endorsed and supported Sea Shepherd in various ways, including through advocacy within the Australian government and public endorsement of the group. However, when the Steve Irwin returned to Hobart , Tasmania , in February 2009, Australian Federal Police seized film footage and the ship's logs, reportedly prompted by complaints from Japan. Brown demanded that
3230-670: The US district court in Seattle to stop Sea Shepherd's operations against Japanese whalers. The federal court denied the ICR's preliminary injunction against SSCS. The ICR and Kyodo Senpaku appealed and, on December 17, 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued an injunction against Paul Watson and Sea Shepherd and requiring them to stay at least 500 yd (457 m) from ICR vessels. After
3325-624: The World Charter for Nature adopted by the United Nations . Australia has declared Japan's hunt in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary to be illegal, and federal court judge Jim Allsop has stated "there is no practical mechanism by which orders of this court can be enforced". The lack of official enforcement mechanisms in that law prompted Sea Shepherd to adopt, without official sanction, what it sees as
3420-633: The albino humpback whale ) that started in November 2007, and after repairs were completed in Launceston and a brief stop over in Melbourne , she was scheduled to depart for the Antarctic on December 1, 2007. On January 15, 2008, after throwing packages of butyric acid onto the decks and attempting to entangle a hunting ship's propeller, two Sea Shepherd members boarded the Japanese whaling vessel Yūshin Maru No. 2 . Paul Watson stated that it
3515-476: The "truth is irrelevant" due to the nature of mass media. In response to criticism that he manipulates the media, Watson has stated: "What we do is provide the media with the kind of stories they can't resist... and this is how we bring attention to what's happening to the whales, the seals, the sharks and the other marine conservation campaigns we're involved in." Sea Shepherd has also used satellite uplinks , webcams, and internet blogging during its operations in
3610-429: The 1990s the group is described as having undertaken a shift in its public attitude. Having previously argued primarily from an ethical viewpoint, Sea Shepherd began to describe itself as an anti-poaching agency, a claim it based on its interpretation of the maritime and conservation law . The decade also saw the organization make more progress in saving wildlife, including by teaming up with other groups to reduce
3705-480: The 2011–2012 Antarctic campaign, the organization acquired drone aircraft to assist in their surveillance of the whaling ships. In July 2012, Sam Simon , a co-creator of The Simpsons , reportedly donated money to purchase the fourth vessel, a former German icebreaker . The actual ship however turned out to be a former Japanese weather survey vessel, now called the MY Sam Simon . On October 18, 2014,
3800-680: The Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd , order their immediate return, but a spokesman for the Home Affairs Minister said it was a federal police matter. In 2013, Julie Bishop , the Foreign Minister of Australia, told the press club of Japan, "We do not, and will never, condone reckless, dangerous, unlawful behaviour. And where it occurs on the high seas, we will unreservedly condemn it. The fact that
3895-610: The Indonesian island of Bintan for processing. The asylum seekers were taken to Indonesia but refused to disembark until 17 November, after a preferential processing deal was agreed upon. The 78 asylum seekers were transferred to Indonesian detention, and after a month, were determined to be refugees by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and resettled in several countries. While travelling back to Australia, Oceanic Viking intercepted
MY Steve Irwin - Misplaced Pages Continue
3990-542: The Japanese government towards Dutch ambassadors. The Netherlands consequently considered revoking the registrations for both vessels but finally decided not to do so. In testimony on " The Threat of Eco-Terrorism " given to a US congressional subcommittee in 2002, Sea Shepherd was the first group mentioned by an FBI official for having attacked commercial fishing operations by cutting drift nets . An earlier Canadian intelligence report on " single issue terrorism " stated that "Watson and his supporters have been involved in
4085-431: The Japanese whaling fleet, which had passed by off the western Australian coast, on the way to the Southern Ocean for whaling operations. A drone surveillance aircraft launched from Steve Irwin located the whaling fleet some 500 miles off the southwest coast of Australia on December 24. After chasing the fleet for four days, Steve Irwin had to break off and escort Brigitte Bardot back to Fremantle, after Brigitte Bardot
4180-627: The Japanese whaling ship Nisshin Maru rammed Steve Irwin , MY Sam Simon and Bob Barker multiple times in a confrontation in the Southern Ocean, north of Australia's Casey Research Station in Antarctica. On December 2, 2018 Sea Shepherd announced that the ship will be retired, stripped and recycled in China, and the MY ; Ocean Warrior will be taking its spot as the flagship vessel of
4275-718: The Japanese whaling vessel Yushin Maru No. 3 , tearing a gash in the hull of the Bob Barker . In December 2014, the Bob Barker began its pursuit of the illegal fishing vessel, the FV Thunder , part of the Bandit 6 and involved in illegally fishing the Patagonian toothfish , which became the longest chase in nautical history covering over 10,000 nautical miles and lasting 110 days. The group also formerly operated
4370-457: The Japanese. The Australian government regarded the operation as successful, but it was criticised by some political commentators, such as Dennis Shanahan , as not having been effective in countering Japanese whaling, and potentially harming Japanese-Australian relations . In October 2009, Oceanic Viking was involved in an operation to apprehend 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers and move them to an Australia-funded immigration detention centre on
4465-484: The Sea Shepherd crew, including concussions and complications from chemical attacks. Watson considers the actions of Sea Shepherd to be against criminal operations and has called the group an anti-poaching organization. Critics claim that Sea Shepherd's actions constitute violations of international law, while Watson has stated that Sea Shepherd believes that their actions constitute an attempt to enforce international conservation laws and international maritime law under
4560-474: The Sea Shepherd visits Australian ports or some of the Sea Shepherd fleet might be registered in Australia is not indicative in any way of the Australian government's support for the organisation." When Sea Shepherd indicated it was abandoning pursuit of Japanese whalers in 2017, Watson noted the hostility of the governments in the US, Australia and New Zealand , which he accused of acting "in league with Japan" against
4655-452: The Southern Ocean. During the seven-week surveillance exercise, personnel aboard Oceanic Viking filmed Japanese whalers and their activities to gather evidence for possible legal action. The machine guns were secured below deck during the surveillance mission. During the deployment, two Sea Shepherd Conservation Society protesters who boarded the whaling ship Yūshin Maru No. 2 were transferred to Oceanic Viking after being detained by
4750-471: The Southern Ocean. The Japanese-based Institute of Cetacean Research claimed that MY Steve Irwin deliberately turned into the stern side of the vessel Yūshin Maru No. 3 to ram her. Video footage of the incident was later released by the institute showing the incident. Steve Irwin ' s operator Paul Watson denied the ramming, saying "They weren't rammed, two vessels collided—the Yushin Maru 3 and
4845-485: The United States. Sea Shepherd employs direct action tactics to achieve its goals, most famously by deploying its fleet of ships to track, report on and actively impede the work of fishing vessels believed to be engaged in illegal and unregulated activities causing the unsustainable exploitation of marine life. Sea Shepherd has been criticised by some environmental groups and national governments that oppose its tactics. The Japanese government, whose whaling industry
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#17327829470884940-434: The action of boarding their vehicle was illegal and that the men were being held pending decisions on their future. On January 16 the ICR issued a statement claiming that the protesters had thrown canisters of acid on board the ship and attempted to damage property. They also denied claims that the men had been assaulted and tied to the ship's mast. Hideki Moronuki further stated that "The ICR (Institute of Cetacean Research)
5035-585: The actor Martin Sheen unveiled Sea Shepherd's newest vessel, R/V Martin Sheen , named in his honor, and captained by Oona Layolle of France. The name of this vessel carries the prefix "R/V" because it will be engaged in direct action as a research vessel. In January 2015, two decommissioned, 30-knot, Island-class Coast Guard cutters were spotted flying the Sea Shepherd flag in Annapolis Yacht Basin. In June 2015, Sea Shepherd revealed on their website that they had purchased these vessels. One
5130-423: The coming 2020 Olympics , but among its elements, the new law declared the presence of eco-activist vessels near whalers a terrorist offence. The combined measures were deemed to make Sea Shepherd's Antarctic operations no longer productive, with Watson noting his organisation "cannot compete with their military-grade technology". The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has been called "media savvy" for their use of
5225-632: The country on tourist visas , but in October 2009, the Australian Immigration Department imposed additional criminal background checks on Watson and his first officer, Peter Hammarstedt, when they applied for visas. Watson criticized the action as a submission to Japanese pressure by the Rudd government . The Australian government rejected the idea it had delayed the visas, and on October 20, 2009, they were issued. By contrast,
5320-473: The court ruling, Paul Watson stepped down and Bob Brown succeeded as the leader of Sea Shepherd, which launched an ultimately rejected appeal to have the injunction set aside. On the appeal's conclusion, the Court of Appeals stated that SSCS's activities were "the very embodiment of piracy ". This reversed a previous decision by Richard A. Jones , who was removed as trial judge for abuse of discretion. As
5415-512: The devastation. Sea Shepherd also cooperated with other governments against maritime poaching , including in Costa Rica , though not always with good outcomes. In 2008, Sea Shepherd conducted two trips around Antarctica to disrupt illegal whaling practices. Since 2016, Sea Shepherd has increasingly co-operated with national governments in assisting anti-poaching activity in national territorial waters and marine reserves , including with
5510-711: The fleet. Following news of the ship's possible scrapping, the ship was saved by Kerrie Goodall, founder of the Ship4Good Philanthropic Organization, successfully leading the "Save the Steve" campaign. The Steve Irwin was moored in Williamstown, Victoria , with possible uses and future location of the ship being discussed. The 'Steve' is recognised as a historic ship by the Australian Maritime Museum. Currently there
5605-410: The forces within Japan which could actually bring whaling to an end". In his 2009 book, Whaling in Japan , Jun Morikawa stated that Sea Shepherd's confrontational tactics had strengthened Japan's resolve to continue with its whaling program by helping to rally domestic support from Japanese citizens who might otherwise have been ambivalent about the practice of hunting and eating whales. In March 2014
5700-439: The government would initiate libel proceedings against the Sea Shepherd founder. In May 2012, Watson was detained by German authorities after he arrived at the Frankfurt Airport based on a request from the government of Costa Rica on the charge of violating navigational regulations. The charge stemmed from an altercation in 2002 took place during filming for the documentary Sharkwater , in which Sea Shepherd contended that
5795-410: The group during protests. Actors including Edward Norton , Pierce Brosnan , Christian Bale , Clive Standen and Emily Deschanel have supported the group through contributions, while William Shatner has also been mentioned as supporting the group. Actress and model Pamela Anderson is an active spokesperson for the group, has participated in several campaigns, served on the board of directors and
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#17327829470885890-423: The group's tactics, particularly regarding its interaction with whaling ships while at sea. The rival environmental group maintains Sea Shepherd is a violent organization whose tactics may endanger the lives of fishermen and whalers, and has labelled Watson an extremist. Greenpeace has also stated: "By making it easy to paint anti-whaling forces as dangerous, piratical terrorists , Sea Shepherd could undermine
5985-645: The high seas". In addition to the organization's role of documenting and reporting violations of conservation laws , Sea Shepherd operations have utilized direct, non-lethal tactics including scuttling and disabling whaling vessels at harbor, intervening in Canadian and Namibian seal hunts , shining laser light at whalers, throwing bottles of foul-smelling butyric acid onto vessels at sea, boarding whaling vessels to protest while at sea, and seizing and destroying drift nets at sea. Sea Shepherd argues that these tactics are necessary to uncover and impede actions that violate international laws protecting wildlife, as
6080-538: The hunting of humpback whales and fin whales . Paul Watson said: "I think we've done an amazing job reducing their quotas and saving whales," and claimed the actions of Sea Shepherd were a major factor behind Japan's decision. In 2017, Sea Shepherd said it would stop sending ships to the Antarctic Ocean in pursuit of Japanese whalers, citing Japan's increased use of military surveillance satellites and passage of anti-terrorism laws specifically to thwart Sea Shepherd. Japan passed new anti-terrorism legislation in view of
6175-601: The ice. The sealers were not charged with any crime, but the activists were arrested and later convicted for approaching too close to the hunt. In 2008, fishermen in the French islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon cut the mooring lines of the Farley Mowat after hearing Watson make disparaging comments about the deaths of four seal hunters. In 2009, Paul Watson claimed the organization has sunk ten whaling ships while also destroying millions of dollars worth of equipment. Their practice of attacking and sinking other ships has led to reports of injuries to other sailors as well as
6270-411: The illegal nets that trap and drown vaquita porpoises in the Gulf of California . In January 2021, Sea Shepherds had to leave the Gulf after a New Year's Eve attack where a fisherman rammed a Sea Shepherd vessel. One fisherman died of injuries sustained during the attack. Mexico has invited Sea Shepherd back to help save the vaquita, but will no longer allow them to remove nets. Sea Shepherd refer to
6365-508: The international community has shown itself unwilling or unable to stop species-endangering whaling and fishing practices. Sea Shepherd staff and equipment have also been on the receiving end of physical violence by members of the fishing industry. In November 1998, Makah seized an inflatable boat belonging to the group and threw rocks at the Sea Shepherd's Sirenian in response to protests over their whale hunt. In 2005, 11 Sea Shepherd crew were involved in an altercation with sealers while on
6460-414: The meantime, Bob Barker had located the factory ship, Nisshin Maru , and was tailing the ship. On February 8, Steve Irwin joined Bob Barker in pursuit of Nisshin Maru . Once the two Sea Shepherd vessels had linked up, Steve Irwin took up position behind Nisshin Maru to obstruct the factory ships slipway and engaged her with water cannon. On February 15, Pete Bethune departed from Steve Irwin on
6555-399: The organisation. Officials in Japan have attempted to combat Sea Shepherd at the highest levels, discussing the revocation of the group's tax exempt status with their counterparts in the United States. In December 2011, the Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR) and Kyodo Senpaku Kaisha, the two Japanese organizations which operate Japan's whaling program, requested an injunction in
6650-405: The other vessel was shark finning in Guatemalan waters. Watson subsequently skipped bail and went into hiding. The Costa Rican government subsequently requested the Interpol to issue a Red Notice arrest request for Watson to its member countries. Watson said on the Discovery Channel in 2009 that the Dalai Lama had sent a letter of support for Sea Shepherd's volunteers accompanied by
6745-499: The practice of shark finning in 2008. Lush produced 'Shark Fin Soap' (punning on ' shark fin soup '); all sale proceeds were directed to Sea Shepherd. In Tasmania , Sea Shepherd has been banned from participation in the Australian Wooden Boat Festival on the grounds that its presence could jeopardize the reputation of the organization which aims to celebrate maritime heritage, but not modern maritime issues in Australian waters. For years, Mexico depended on Sea Shepherd to remove
6840-516: The press. The group has worked with journalists and has made statements through press releases to spread its message during various campaigns. Watson's public relations efforts are shown in an episode of Whale Wars when he creates an international "media storm" after two Sea Shepherd crewmembers are detained on a Japanese whaling vessel. In his book, Earthforce! , Watson advises readers to make up facts and figures when they need to and to deliver them to reporters confidently. He also states that
6935-539: The prevalence of driftnet fishing. In 1994, Sea Shepherd sank an illegal Norwegian whaling vessel. However, no charges were brought as the vessel had been involved in even more illegal behavior than anticipated by the authorities. The organization began in the 2000s by assisting with the clean up of the Petrobras oil spill , Brazil 's worst oil spill to date, after being contracted by the Rio government to mitigate against
7030-517: The radar mast for several hours with ropes and zip ties . Potts and Lane, however, later stated that they were tied for only fifteen minutes to the side of the ship and a couple of minutes to the radio mast before being taken below deck. Glenn Inwood , a spokesperson for the whalers from the Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR), said that the activists were being held in an unlocked office, but were being guarded. In another statement, they stated that
7125-534: The search for Berserk , a polar exploration vessel owned by renowned explorer Jarle Andhøy , which had activated her emergency transponder near McMurdo Sound during a storm. The search was eventually called off after Steve Irwin found an empty life raft, which was later confirmed to have been from Berserk. The three people on board are presumed dead. Steve Irwin began patrolling the territorial waters of Libya in June 2011 in an effort to spot unauthorised bluefin tuna fishing boats and cut their fishing nets. She
7220-603: The security ship Shōnan Maru 2 , climbing over spikes and razor wire in international waters off the coast of Bunbury, Western Australia with the assistance of small boat crews from the Steve Irwin . While Japan agreed to release the activists, the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard slammed the action as "unacceptable" and warned that others who carry out similar protests would be "charged and convicted". On February 20, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society founder Paul Watson claimed
7315-584: The ship for the Australian Customs Marine Unit . The vessel was primarily assigned to patrols of Australia's southern offshore territories for illegal fishers, particularly those seeking Patagonian toothfish , but was also deployed on other border protection and patrol operations around Australia. While chartered, Oceanic Viking was flagged as an Australian vessel, and was operated by a 60-strong crew, including Customs and Fisheries personnel, along with civilians. Oceanic Viking
7410-634: The ships it has operated as Neptune's Navy . As of 2021 , the conservation society operates 12 ships: Ocean Warrior , Brigitte Bardot , Bob Barker , Steve Irwin , Sam Simon , John Paul DeJoria , Farley Mowat , Sharpie , Jairo Mora Sandoval , White Holly , Martin Sheen and Sea Eagle . The Steve Irwin was obtained in 2007 and originally called the Robert Hunter , named in honor of Robert Hunter , co-founder of Greenpeace . Irwin's widow, Terri , gave her support to Sea Shepherd, saying: "Whales have always been in Steve's heart and in 2006 he
7505-663: The subject of the Animal Planet show Whale Wars . The MY Steve Irwin is now moored at Thales Marine in the City of Newcastle, New South Wales , Australia and is now in the ownership of the not for profit Ship4Good. In January 2007, the ship was struck from the British Ship Register after a Japanese request. The ship has been registered in the Netherlands as of October 8, 2007. The FPV Westra
7600-512: The vessel the MV Robert Hunter after Canadian Robert Hunter , co-founder of Greenpeace , but it was renamed in honor of The Crocodile Hunter star Steve Irwin , who had died just over a year earlier, on September 4, 2006. Irwin had considered joining the vessel on a voyage to Antarctica shortly before his death, and the renaming was endorsed by his widow Terri . The ship and her crew, and their efforts for conservation, were
7695-572: The vessels failed to stop when ordered, and one of Oceanic Viking ' s machine guns was used to fire warning shots . In October 2006, Oceanic Viking traveled 1,800 nautical miles (3,300 km; 2,100 mi) in eight days to answer a medical distress call from the Kerguelen Islands . In December 2007, the Australian government tasked the Oceanic Viking with monitoring Japanese -flagged vessels involved in whaling in
7790-494: The video in its first month of release were donated to Sea Shepherd. From the music industry, Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers , Leona Lewis , Rick Rubin , and the groups Hawkwind , The Red Paintings , Propagandhi , Gojira , Parkway Drive , Heaven Shall Burn , Stick to Your Guns , The Amity Affliction and Architects have financially supported Sea Shepherd. Architects vocalist Sam Carter
7885-448: The whaler were injured in the attack. Robert Hunter and Farley Mowat obstructed the path of the whaling ship, and Robert Hunter and Kaiko Maru collided with each other. One Japanese official accused the Sea Shepherd organisation of behaving "like pirates". Robert Hunter sustained a 3-foot gash in the hull above the waterline at the stern of the ship. Steve Irwin has also participated in "Operation Migaloo" (named after Migaloo ,
7980-645: Was an armed patrol vessel of the Australian Customs Service . Originally built in 1996 as the offshore supply vessel Viking Lady for Norwegian shipping company Eidesvik Shipping AS , the ship was converted into a cable layer in 2000 and renamed Oceanic Viking . The ship was chartered to the Australian Customs Service through P&O Marine Services from 2004 to 2010. In 2011, it was purchased by A&P Tyne , Isle of Man, and renamed European Supporter . The ship
8075-507: Was built in 1996 for Norwegian shipping company Eidesvik Shipping AS as an offshore supply vessel and named Viking Lady . The vessel is 105.6 metres (346 ft) long and has a gross tonnage of over 9,000. In 2000, the ship was converted to a cable layer , renamed Oceanic Viking , and used for laying optic fiber cables between Europe and North America. In 2004, Oceanic Viking was converted to an armed patrol vessel and bareboat chartered to P&O Maritime Services , who operated
8170-609: Was damaged by a rogue wave . On January 5 Steve Irwin arrived in Fremantle Harbour escorting the severely damaged Brigitte Bardot from the Southern Ocean, monitored by the Japanese whaling ship Shōnan Maru 2 . While in port, Steve Irwin defied an order by the Fremantle harbourmaster to lower her Jolly Roger -styled flag after docking in Fremantle. After departing the port, a team from environmentalist group "Forest Rescue Australia" approached and illegally boarded
8265-467: Was fitted out at A&P Tyne , so she would be able to install power cables between wind turbines to take advantage of the rapidly expanding offshore renewables market in the UK and Europe. A 7 m (23 ft) long abrasion resistant steel chute was installed onto the vessel's stern, from which cables could be lowered onto the sea bed. Other work included a major overhaul of the generators, modifications to
8360-470: Was fitted with two .50 calibre machine guns , making it the first Australian-flagged merchant vessel to be armed in peacetime. In early September 2005, Oceanic Viking intercepted a 2,000 GT Cambodian vessel found poaching in the Southern Ocean . Later that month, the ship apprehended three Indonesian vessels illegally fishing near the Northern Territory's Wessel Islands ; one of
8455-483: Was his intention to create an international incident through the boarding and expected detainment. They later stated that their intent had been to present a protest note to its captain. Benjamin Potts, a 28-year-old cook from Sydney, Australia , and Giles Lane, a 35-year-old engineer from Leeds , United Kingdom , were detained by crew of Yūshin Maru No. 2 . Sea Shepherd claimed that the two had been kidnapped and tied to
8550-474: Was investigating the possibility of joining the Sea Shepherd on part of its journey to defend these beautiful animals." The other ship, the 1200 ton Bob Barker , was named after well-known television game show host and animal activist Bob Barker , who made the purchase in Ghana of the retired Norwegian whaling vessel possible with a donation of US$ 5 million. In February 2010, the Bob Barker collided with
8645-507: Was laid up ready for disposal in 2003 when Sea Shepherd purchased her in November 2006 and renamed her Robert Hunter . In February 2007, Robert Hunter joined Farley Mowat in order to prevent the Japanese whaling vessel Nisshin Maru from hunting in an action Sea Shepherd called Operation Leviathan. Sea Shepherd members threw bottles of foul-smelling butyric acid onto the decks of the Nisshin Maru . The Japanese say three members of
8740-627: Was met with attempts by some fishermen to incapacitate it, to which it responded with water hoses and stink bombs. On July 15, 2011 the ship was held by the British Government due to a pending lawsuit by a Maltese fishing company. The ship was released on August 2, 2011 after a bond of £ 520,000 was posted. As of September 2011, the ship was docked in the South Quay of West India Dock, London. In December, Steve Irwin joined Bob Barker and Brigitte Bardot in locating and pursuing
8835-600: Was taken against the conservationists. Both sides accused the other of terrorism during the incident. The ICR called the butyric acid attack on Yūshin Maru No. 2 an "inhumane terrorist attack" and called on the Australian Government to seize the Steve Irwin . Conversely, Steve Irwin 1st Officer Peter Brown stated that "the Institute of Cetacean Research is acting like a terrorist organisation [...] Here they are taking hostages and making demands. Our policy
8930-408: Was unable to track her due to a heavy storm, in addition to legal complications. In January 2010, the ship continued to hunt for the Japanese fleet. After the loss of MY Ady Gil in a collision with Shonan Maru No.2 , Steve Irwin met up with MY Bob Barker , with which she exchanged fuel, supplies, and crew. The ship then returned to Fremantle to restock, departing on January 30. In
9025-516: Was used not to damage the ship itself but to render the work-deck unusable due to its foul and long-lasting smell. On January 17, the Australian customs ship MV Oceanic Viking started preparation to transfer the two men held on the whaling vessel. On the morning of January 18, the two men were safely transferred to the MV Oceanic Viking . After an investigation by the Australian Federal Police , no criminal action
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