When it comes to the topic of whales, from films such as Free Willy to the dramatic and controversial TV documentary Whale Wars, it’s hard not to feel sorry for these intelligent and wise creatures, while loathing the people portrayed as barbaric hunters who insist that the capturing of these whales is purely done for ‘research’. But what can be done to help these sea creatures that are considered impressive in most peoples’ minds? Or is the protection offered in fact a hindrance to the cause?
Whale Wars, Activists or Terrorists?
Whale Wars which first premiered in November 2007 is a new hit documentary on Animal Plant which sees the founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Captain Paul Watson and his team dedicating their time in stopping the Japanese whalers from killing whales, such as the Minke and the endangered Fin. Completely dedicated to their mission they are even willing to take aggressive action when it comes to stopping the Japanese. However since the show was aired, mixed reviews have been expressed.
In an article '5th of June 2009 - Whale Wars - Eco-Terrorism as Reality TV', at the Huffington Post, reporter Richard Spilman criticises the show by saying ‘that it is cheap exploitation in praise of what is nothing less than eco-terrorism. It is the glorification of vigilantism on the high seas...the Sea Shepherds do almost nothing to protect the whales where they really do need protection.’
However, Mr. Watson said in the first show, ‘people think we’re sort of arrogant in what we do. But as I always say, our clients are whales and we don’t really care what people think. We’re more concerned with what the whales think.’
Aggressively interfering with whaling ships in international waters it’s not hard to see how the Sea Shepherd’s might be described as eco-terrorists when they’re caught on camera pelting the ships with bottles containing butyric acid or even ramming Japanese whalers with their ship, the Steve Irwin. But however aggressive the Sea Shepherd’s might be construed, you can bet they will continue with a cause that they believe in.
The Protection of Whales
Surprisingly fishing is only a minimal threat to the lives of the whales. According to the WWF about 90% of whale deaths are actually due to collisions with ships, followed secondly by ‘by-catch,’ whales becoming caught in nets and lastly by fishing. Consequently because of this improvements have been modified with the introduction of special shipping lanes set up off Cape Cod with the intention of reducing collisions between ships and the endangered northern right whales in the hopes that collisions can be reduced by an estimated 74% during the migratory season.
However according to an international agreement with the International Whaling Commission the Japanese in 2007/8 were allowed to kill up to nine hundred minke whales and fifty fin whales in the Antarctic ocean for ‘research purposes.’ Many however believe this to be a disguise for commercial whaling and animal rights activists such as Sea Shepherd are one such group that will continue protecting the whales, whales that they consider sacred and should be preserved.
What Now for Captain Paul Watson?
As Whale Wars enters its second season with Captain Watson and his team still at the forefront of their campaign, it's guaranteed to be yet another explosive documentary that sees the team battling with the Japanese ships in a bid to protect the whales. In season one the team equip with a camera crew onboard saved the lives of 500 whales which left the Japanese fleet with less than half of their quota, subsequently costing them tens of millions of dollars while regarding Sea Shepherd as a terrorist group.
Nevertheless it can be regarded that while their methods of intervention may prove too aggressive for Greenpeace and other whale conservation groups who consider them too confrontational and potentially perilous, Sea Shepherd intend to carry on with their whale campaign hoping to save more than season one.
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