Sea Shepherd

Sea Shepherd

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is an international non-profit marine conservation organization, founded in 1977 by Paul Watson. The organization focuses on direct action campaigns to defend, conserve, and protect ocean wildlife and ecosystems from illegal exploitation and environmental destruction.

Mission and Activities

Sea Shepherd’s primary mission is to protect marine wildlife and preserve marine ecosystems. They tackle issues such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, whaling, seal hunting, and shark finning. Sea Shepherd employs innovative tactics and partnerships with governments to enforce conservation laws. Their strategies include patrolling protected areas, removing illegal fishing gear, and documenting and reporting violations.

Direct Action

Sea Shepherd is renowned for its direct action approach, which includes intercepting and disabling vessels engaged in illegal activities. Their fleet of ships, mainly crewed by volunteers, has saved over 6,000 whales from Japanese whalers and removed thousands of miles of illegal fishing gear. These efforts are critical in areas like the Southern Ocean, the Mediterranean, and the Galapagos Islands.

Global Impact

Despite being a grassroots organization, Sea Shepherd has a significant global impact. They operate campaigns worldwide, from protecting the vaquita porpoise in Mexico to defending marine sanctuaries in Africa. Sea Shepherd’s transparency and dedication to direct action have earned them a loyal following and a respected place in marine conservation.