Sea Shepherd

I first learned about Sea Shepherd in 2007 when I watched the documentary Shark Water. Filmmaker Rob Stewart has had a lifetime fascination with sharks and sets out “to debunk historical stereotypes and media depiction of sharks as bloodthirsty, man-eating monsters and reveals the reality of sharks as pillars in the evolution of the seas.” The film also exposes the exploitation and corruption surrounding the world’s shark populations in the marine reserves of Cocos Island, Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.

Last weekend our friend Lawrence organized a band to perform at a pub in Byron Bay to raise money for Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. In addition to live music we were entertained by the International Jui Jitsu Foundation that pledged to perform 1000 flips in two hours.  I found the scene to be quite random as the connection didn’t occur to me straight away. The speaker explained that Sea Shepherd is a peaceful organization that uses force when necessary to defend ocean wildlife just as Jui Jitsu is used only as a form of self defense.

I learned much more about the organization and their efforts to protect whales that migrate from Antarctica passing close by the Australian shores each year between June and October that are often illegally killed by Japanese whalers despite the moratorium that prohibits all commercial whaling.

Sea Shepherd Mission Statement:

Established in 1977, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society 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.

We use innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, an take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the bio-diversity of our delicately-balanced ocean ecocystems, we work to ensure the surviva for future generations.”

Captain Paul Watson is the founder of Sea Shepherd. Captain Watson sails the seas with a volunteer crew enforcing international conservation laws under the UN World Charter for Nature.

If you are interested in being involved with this great non-profit organization CLICK HERE.