Established in 1977, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) 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.
Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately-balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations.
Mandate
Sea Shepherd's primary mandate is to assume a law enforcement role as provided by the United Nations World Charter for Nature.
This charter was adopted by the United Nation's General Assembly on November 9, 1982.
Sea Shepherd is guided by the UN Charter World Charter for Nature and cites Section 21 under the heading of Implementations as the Society's authority to act on behalf of international conservation law.
topHistory
On the front lines of direct action marine conservation
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society was formally incorporated in the United States in 1981 in the state of Oregon. Previous to this, the idea of Sea Shepherd was formed when Captain Paul Watson founded the Earth Force Society in 1977 in Vancouver BC, Canada. The original mandate of both organizations was marine mammal protection and conservation with an immediate goal of shutting down illegal whaling and sealing operations, but Sea Shepherd later expanded its mission to include all marine wildlife.
In 1978, with financial support from Cleveland Amory of the Fund for Animals, the Society purchased its first ship (a British sea trawler Westella) and renamed it the Sea Shepherd. Its first mission was to sail to the ice floes of Eastern Canada to interfere with the annual killing of baby harp seals known as whitecoats. In the same year, the Sea Shepherd hunted down and rammed the notorious prolific pirate whaler the Sierra in a Portugal harbor ending its infamous career as the scourge of the seas.
Since those early days, Sea Shepherd has embarked on over 200 voyages covering many of the world's oceans and defending and saving defenseless marine life all along the way.
topNews
Monday, July 12, 2010
Operation Black Water in Cuba Triumphs in the Name of Sea Life
Field report by Daniel Vairo, Director, Instituto Sea Shepherd Brasil.
During the past week a team of oiled wildlife rescue technicians from Instituto Sea Shepherd Brasil (ISSB) carried out in Cuba's northern coast a campaign to exchange oil spill information with local community leaders and academics.
What was supposed to have been an overt operation of collaboration between the independent South American arm of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) and Cuban institutions, ended up becoming somewhat of an underground operation due to restrictions imposed by the Castro regime on issues related to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Press Conference with Freed Whale Warrior Captain Pete Bethune
Pete BethuneOn the morning of Monday, 12 July 2010, at 10a.m., (NZ), Captain Pete Bethune will attend a press conference to discuss and answer questions about the events of the last 8 months that ultimately culminated in his return home from Japanese prison on Saturday.
Captain Bethune was incarcerated for boarding the ship that had rammed and destroyed his ship, and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society spent in excess of half a million U.S. dollars on Captain Bethunes defense in an attempt to mitigate his sentence.
Events
- July 31 - Sea No Evil Art Show
- Aug 6 - A Seattle Evening for the Oceans
- Aug 9 - S'more Protection for the Oceans
Campaigns
Whales
Sea Shepherd has been on the front lines for nearly three decades protecting whales from illegal whalers. From Japan to Iceland to Norway and elsewhere around the globe, Sea Shepherd's direct action crews defend whales from slaughter.
Dolphins
Sea Shepherd has been active in directly intervening where dolphins are threatened. In 1982, we negotiated an end to the dolphin slaughter of Iki Island, Japan. We sent crews to Taiji, Japan, in 2003 and 2004, and to the Solomon Islands
Sharks
On multi-faceted fronts, Sea Shepherd is waging an all out battle to save sharks from the threat of decimation. Not only does Sea Shepherd work hard to raise awareness and care for this unpopular species, we also patrol marine protected areas, expose corruption/greed, and arrest the criminals who drive the multi-billion dollar shark-killing industry.
Seals
Sea Shepherd has been fighting sealers since 1975, and over the course of a quarter of a century we have saved hundreds of thousands of seals from slaughter using many different and creative methods. Sea Shepherd's highly-publicized efforts have helped in creating awareness, which is the first step in enacting change.
Galapagos Islands
In the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador, Sea Shepherd is working with the National Marine Park service on anti-poaching enforcement and conservation programs
Tuna
We have a history of defending fish of all kinds. Besides being the leading voice for the conservation of fish species, we "walk the walk" taking our ships out on the high seas to defend these defenseless creatures. From driftnet campaigns, the tuna-dolphin fight, chasing drag trawlers, to dropping "net cutters" on the ocean floor, Sea Shepherd employs direct action to stop the overfishing of our oceans.
topSupport Us
Sea Shepherd has been patrolling the high seas and enforcing conservation law worldwide for almost 30 years. With your help, we have saved countless lives of dolphins, seals, whales, fish, and much more!
Your support is what drives our enforcement and conservation efforts, strengthens our resolve, and makes possible the = successes we achieve.
Sea Shepherd campaigns cannot happen without your help. Your continued investment in Sea Shepherd is crucial in maintaining your fleet of ocean warrior vessels and international volunteers out on the high seas. Help us secure a future for our fragile oceans and the wonderful beings that inhabit them.
Together, we will succeed. There are a number of ways in which you can support us as you will see below. No gift is too small and all gifts are greatly appreciated.
topContact
Volunteering
- Onshore: volunteer@seashepherd.org
- Crewing at Sea: volunteer@seashepherd.org
Campaigns and Ocean Issues
- Campaign Questions and Suggestions: volunteer@seashepherd.org
- Inform us of violations against ocean wildlife: volunteer@seashepherd.org
General
- Donations: volunteer@seashepherd.org
- Planned Giving and Estate Planning: volunteer@seashepherd.org
- Merchandise: volunteer@seashepherd.org
- General: volunteer@seashepherd.org