Whale Wars

Each year, a small fleet of Japanese vessels hits the high seas in the western North Pacific and around Antarctica in the Southern Ocean to kill and collect a set number of samples under the International Whaling Commission’s sanctioned scientific permitting program. Their targets are predominantly minke whales, a species of baleen whale that averages about 26 feet (8 meters) in length. During the 2010 whale hunt, they took in 507 minke whales and one fin whale, according to BBC News. Since the IWC had reviewed permits to take in close to 1,000 whales, the haul was drastically lower than the whalers had intended. The lower count was largely due to interference from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

The Sea Shepherd Conversation Society sails the world seas and do everything within maritime law in order to stop whaling. They are funded by big donors and since Animal Planet runs a documentary show with them supported by the masses.

Sea Shepherd’s Mission Statement

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.

An example case of how media and crowdfunding can engage to fund a campaign of animal protection.

Whale Wars on Animal Planet: http://animal.discovery.com/tv/whale-wars/