Sea Shepherd

Four decades of direct-action marine conservation — from Paul Watson splitting with Greenpeace to found the fleet in 1977, through the Antarctic whaling wars, the Faroese grind, the fight for the vaquita, and the patrols that police the high seas where no navy will.

A chronological documentary of 924 moments spanning 1977–2026 on Loreline.

last updated 2026-07-22

1. 1977 — Sea Shepherd Conservation Society founded. Paul Watson, expelled from the Greenpeace board, founds the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to take a more confrontational, interventionist stance on marine wildlife.
2. 1977 — Paul Watson, founder and helmsman. A co-founder of Greenpeace, Watson built Sea Shepherd around direct intervention — putting hulls between harpoons and whales rather than only bearing witness.
3. 1979 — Ramming of the pirate whaler Sierra. The first Sea Shepherd vessel rams the notorious pirate whaler Sierra off Portugal, ending its whaling career — the action that defined the group's method.
4. 1979 — Confronting the Canadian seal hunt. Sea Shepherd takes its campaign to the ice floes off Newfoundland, dyeing seal pups with harmless organic dye to render their pelts worthless to hunters.
5. 1983 — Magdalen Islands confrontation. Paul Watson is arrested and the Sea Shepherd II nearly crushed in the ice during a confrontation with sealers in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
6. 1986 — Scuttling of Icelandic whalers in Reykjavík. Activists sink two of Iceland's whaling ships at their moorings in Reykjavík harbour and sabotage the Hvalur whaling station — one of the most contested actions in the group's history.
7. 1994 — Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary declared. The IWC designates the waters around Antarctica a whale sanctuary — the legal backdrop for Sea Shepherd's campaign against the Japanese "research" whaling fleet.
8. 2000 — Guarding the Galápagos Marine Reserve. A long-running partnership with the Galápagos National Park supplies patrol vessels, detection dogs and a forensic lab to fight shark-finning and illegal fishing in the reserve.
9. 2002 — The war on shark finning. Tens of millions of sharks are killed each year for their fins. Sea Shepherd intercepts finning vessels and longlines from the Galápagos to Cocos Island.
10. 2002 — The Cocos Island confrontation. Off Costa Rica's Cocos Island, Sea Shepherd intercepts the long-liner Varadero — an incident that led to Paul Watson's long legal entanglement and an Interpol notice.
11. 2003 — The Patagonian toothfish pirates. The "Bandit 6" — a notorious group of illegal toothfish vessels plundering Antarctic waters — became the targets Sea Shepherd hunted across the Southern Ocean.
12. 2006-10-28 — Shepherds of the Seals, narrated by Martin Sheen. Sea Shepherd — 2006
13. 2006-10-28 — Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign. Sea Shepherd — 2006
14. 2007 — MY Steve Irwin joins the fleet. The former Scottish fisheries vessel, renamed for the late conservationist, becomes the flagship of the Antarctic whale-defence campaigns.
15. 2008-01-13 — Greenpeace chases Japanese whaling fleet - 13 Jan 08. Al Jazeera English — 2008
16. 2008 — Whale Wars premieres on Animal Planet. The reality series follows the crew of the Steve Irwin through the Antarctic whaling campaigns, turning the confrontations into a global television event.
17. 2008 — Farley Mowat seized at the seal hunt. Canadian authorities board and seize the Sea Shepherd ship Farley Mowat during the commercial seal hunt and arrest its captain.
18. 2008-08-15 — Riz Khan- Eco Wars- 14 Aug 08- Part 1. Al Jazeera English — 2008
19. 2009-02-03 — Raw Video: Whalers 'Launch Attack' in Antarctic. Japanese whalers blasted conservationists with a water cannon and hurled hunks of metal and golf balls at them in a clash Monday in icy Antarctic waters, an anti-whaling group said. (Feb. 2)
20. 2009-02-06 — Raw Video: Ships Collide in Whaling Clash. Associated Press — 2009
21. 2009-06-11 — 'Whale Wars' Intensifies in 2nd Season. Associated Press — 2009
22. 2009 — MY Bob Barker enters service. Funded by the game-show host who gave Sea Shepherd $5 million, the ice-class ship became central to chasing the whaling fleet across the Southern Ocean.
23. 2010-01-06 — 'Whale Wars' ship hits whaler. CNN — 2010
24. 2010-01-06 — Activists clash with Japan whalers - 6 Jan 10. Al Jazeera English — 2010
25. 2010-01-06 — Boats Collide in Anti-whaling Clash in Antarctic. Associated Press — 2010
26. 2010-01-06 — Whaling Vessel Hits Protestors. CBS News — 2010
27. 2010-01-06 — Japan releases whaling crash video. ABC News (Australia) — 2010
28. 2010-01-06 — Space-age powerboat destroyed in Japan whaling clash. A futuristic powerboat sent to harass Japanese whalers has been sliced in two and is sinking after a clash in Antarctic waters, activists said on Wednesday. All six crew on the Ady Gil trimaran, which holds the round-the-world record, were rescued unharmed, the Sea Shepherd animal rights group said in a statement. Raw images provided by Japan's Institute of Ceracean Research (ICR).Duration: 00:00:45
29. 2010-01-07 — High stakes whaling standoff on the high seas - 07 Jan 10. New Zealand's foreign minister says his country's maritime agency will carry out an investigation into a collision between a Japanese whaling vessel and a boat belonging to the Sea Shepherd anti-whaling protest group.
30. 2010-01-07 — New footage: Ady Gil crash. ABC News (Australia) — 2010
31. 2010-01-07 — New footage: Ady Gil crash. ABC News (Australia) — 2010
32. 2010-01-08 — Agy Gil sinks in attemped salvage. The protest vessel Ady Gil has sunk during salvage atempts after the boat was sliced in two by a Japanese whaling vessel.
33. 2010-01-28 — Whaling Foes Complain Again About Boat Collision. Associated Press — 2010
34. 2010-02-07 — Sea Shepherd cops another collision. ABC News (Australia) — 2010
35. 2010-02-22 — Australia Threatens To Take Japan To Court Over Whaling. Sky News — 2010
36. 2010-02-26 — Barker: Whales belong in sea. CNN — 2010
37. 2010-04-22 — Defend Conserve Protect. Sea Shepherd — 2010
38. 2010-05-06 — Sea Shepherd Tries to Prevent the Japanese Whaling Fleet from Whaling (Graphic footage). Sea Shepherd — 2010
39. 2010-05-06 — Final Moments on the Ady Gil. Sea Shepherd — 2010
40. 2010-05-06 — Bob Barker Rammed by Yushin Maru 3. Sea Shepherd — 2010
41. 2010-05-07 — Radio Assistance Offer Call. Sea Shepherd — 2010
42. 2010-05-07 — Sea Shepherd Confronts Japanese Whaling Fleet. Sea Shepherd — 2010
43. 2010-05-16 — Confrontation with Japanese whaling fleet. Sea Shepherd — 2010
44. 2010-05-16 — Isabel Lucas PSA. Isabel Lucas wants you to help us save whales
45. 2010-05-16 — Ady Gil sinking. Sea Shepherd — 2010
46. 2010-05-17 — Pennywise and Sea Shepherd. Sea Shepherd — 2010
47. 2010-05-18 — Underwater Channel interview with Captain Paul Watson @ Dive Show 2009. Sea Shepherd — 2010
48. 2010-05-18 — CBS News Story on Shark Finning ft. Sea Shepherd Director, Kim McCoy. Sea Shepherd — 2010
49. 2010-05-25 — Sea Shepherd Director of Investigations, Scott West, interview on Democracy Now! (pt.1). Sea Shepherd — 2010
50. 2010-05-25 — Sea Shepherd Director of Investigations, Scott West, interview on Democracy Now! (Pt. 2). Sea Shepherd — 2010
51. 2010-06-01 — 'Whale Wars' Sails Into 3rd Season. Associated Press — 2010
52. 2010-06-04 — Whale Wars Season 3 Preview - Animal Planet. Take a peek at the upcoming season 3 of Whale Wars. Airs Friday, check your local listings or visit the following for more information:
53. 2010-06-04 — Zoli Teglas lead singer of Pennywise. Sea Shepherd — 2010
54. 2010 — The Ady Gil sinks after collision. The carbon-fibre trimaran Ady Gil is struck by the Japanese security ship Shōnan Maru 2 in the Southern Ocean and sinks — a flashpoint of the whaling campaign.
55. 2010 — Sea turtle and reef protection. Campaigns to protect nesting beaches and coral reefs — from the Mediterranean to the Pacific — extend the fleet's mission beyond whales to the wider ocean.
56. 2010-06-21 — War on whaling. Al Jazeera English — 2010
57. 2010-06-22 — Video Blogs from the International Whaling Commission 2010 Meetings in Agadir, Morocco. Sea Shepherd — 2010
58. 2010-06-23 — Sea Shepherd Newsflash: compromise deal off the table!. Sea Shepherd — 2010
59. 2010-06-23 — Day 2 at the IWC Japan keeps bribing and has Peter Garrett seen the light?. Sea Shepherd — 2010
60. 2010-06-23 — IWC June 23 Sea Shepherd Update: the bribed countries arrive. Sea Shepherd — 2010
61. 2010-07-03 — VOTE FOR SEA SHEPHERD AS YOUR FAVORITE NONPROFIT!. Sea Shepherd — 2010
62. 2010-07-06 — Thank you for voting!. Sea Shepherd — 2010
63. 2010-07-07 — Sea Shepherd at Deepwater Ground Zero. ***Exclusive footage***. Sea Shepherd — 2010
64. 2010-08-30 — Captain Paul Watson and White Mike. Sea Shepherd — 2010
65. 2010-09-14 — Saving Endangered Sharks. CBS News — 2010
66. 2010-09-20 — YouTube Your Way To Being A Whale Warrior. Sea Shepherd — 2010
67. 2010-10-07 — Sea Shepherd boat deliberately scuttled. ABC News (Australia) — 2010
68. 2010-10-07 — Anti-whaling activists' war of words. Al Jazeera English — 2010
69. 2010-10-19 — "Why we should protect the oceans" - in two minutes by Alex Lightman.. Sea Shepherd — 2010
70. 2010-10-23 — The Bob Barker getting ready for No Compromise!. Sea Shepherd — 2010
71. 2010-11-15 — Dolphins herded to the Cove and slaughtered on November 13th. Sea Shepherd — 2010
72. 2010-11-19 — Report into Ady Gil incident released. ABC News (Australia) — 2010
73. 2010-11-19 — Sea Shepherd CEO Steve Roest answers questions. Sea Shepherd — 2010
74. 2010-11-23 — Actress Michelle Rodriguez training to become Sea Shepherd crew member. Sea Shepherd — 2010
75. 2010-11-23 — Bob Barker crew ready to stop whaling. Sea Shepherd — 2010
76. 2010-11-25 — The Steve Irwin joins the Bob Barker in Hobart. Sea Shepherd — 2010
77. 2010-11-25 — Artist Xavier Rudd sending a message to our crew members. Nov. 24, 2010 - During his performance in Amsterdam, The Netherlands Xavier took a moment to wish our crew members all the best during Sea Shepherd's next campaign Operation No Compromise.
78. 2010-12-01 — MessageToJapan. Sea Shepherd — 2010
79. 2010-12-02 — Sea Shepherd wants Navy involvement. ABC News (Australia) — 2010
80. 2010-12-05 — New anti-whaling ship joins fleet. ABC News (Australia) — 2010
81. 2010-12-06 — Gojira joins the Bob and the Steve for Operation No Compromise. Sea Shepherd — 2010
82. 2010-12-08 — A message from Captain Watson. Sea Shepherd — 2010
83. 2010-12-15 — Sea Shepherd Conservation Society - Operation No Compromise. Sea Shepherd — 2010
84. 2010-12-27 — The Cove in Taiji, Japan: Decemember 20, 2010. Sea Shepherd — 2010
85. 2010-12-31 — Misty the dolphin at Taiji Dolphin Base left to die alone. Sea Shepherd — 2010
86. 2010-12-31 — 2010 12 30 CG dolphin floats in pool. Sea Shepherd — 2010
87. 2011-01-01 — Japanese whaling fleet and Sea Shepherd's first engagement of the campaign. Sea Shepherd — 2011
88. 2011-01-02 — Whaling clash during Antarctic hunt. ABC News (Australia) — 2011
89. 2011-01-05 — Misty the dolphin form the Dolphin Base in Taiji is getting moved 03/01/11. Sea Shepherd is an international, non-profit marine conservation organization that engages in direct action campaigns to defend wildlife, and conserve and protect the world’s oceans from illegal exploitation and environmental destruction.
90. 2011-01-10 — Whaling Clash on the High Seas. CBS News — 2011
91. 2011-01-15 — Dolphin struggles in fishermans net in Taiji, Japan January 12, 2010. Sea Shepherd — 2011
92. 2011-01-19 — Dolphins stranded on rocks in the Cove on January 13th. Sea Shepherd — 2011
93. 2011-01-26 — The Yushin Maru No 1 and Nisshin Maru are spotted then flee through ice fields. Sea Shepherd — 2011
94. 2011-01-27 — The Yushin Maru No 1 and Nisshin Maru are spotted then flee through ice fields with audio. The Japanese whaling vessel Yushin Maru No 1 clears a path through an ice field as the factory ship Nisshin Maru follows behind.
95. 2011-02-02 — Sea Shepherd Sails into Times Square with Their First Outdoor Advertising Campaign. Sea Shepherd — 2011
96. 2011-02-04 — Bamboo spear thrown at Delta boat from Yushin Maru No 3. Sea Shepherd — 2011
97. 2011-02-16 — Sea Shepherd harassment suspends Japanese whaling. ABC News (Australia) — 2011
98. 2011-02-16 — Sea Shepherd celebrates victory. ABC News (Australia) — 2011
99. 2011-02-16 — Japan suspends whale hunt after protests. euronews — 2011
100. 2011-02-18 — Japan demands action against Sea Shepherd. ABC News (Australia) — 2011
101. 2011-02-18 — Under Pressure Japan Pulls Whaling Fleet. Japan abandoned the rest of its whale hunting season in Antarctic waters Friday citing repeated harassment by Sea Shepherd activists, after netting only a fifth of its targeted catch of 850 whales. (Feb. 18)
102. 2011-02-18 — Japan forced to end Antarctic whale hunt. euronews — 2011
103. 2011-02-19 — A Special Message From Captain Paul Watson on the Victory in the Southern Ocean!. Together we are a force for good, a force for change, a force for ecological sanity, and a force to be reckoned with. This week, we drove the entire Japanese whaling fleet out of the Sanctuary, but we didn't do it alone. Captain Paul Watson sends his sincere thanks for your part in our victory.
104. 2011-02-25 — The Sea Shepherd Delta team in action during Operation No Compromise. Sea Shepherd — 2011
105. 2011-03-07 — Anti-whaling activists arrive home. ABC News (Australia) — 2011
106. 2011-03-09 — Sea Shepherd Crew Return to Hobart After a Victorious Operation No Compromise Campaign!. Sea Shepherd — 2011
107. 2011-03-13 — Sea Shepherd's Cove Guardians witness the tsunami in Otsuchi, Japan on March 11, 2011. Sea Shepherd — 2011
108. 2011-03-17 — Adam Hills IGST | Paul Watson - Sea Shepherd founder | 8.30pm Wednesdays, ABC1. Sea Shepherd — 2011

…744 further moments continue the chronology here. Full text archive: /loreline-text/sea-shepherd.md

853. 2011-03-18 — The Captains celebrate victory upon returning to Hobart and reflect on Operation No Compromise. Sea Shepherd — 2011
854. 2011-03-18 — Captain Paul Watson and Captain Alex Cornelissen speak about the success of Operation No Compromise. Sea Shepherd — 2011
855. 2011-03-31 — Sea Shepherd partners with Republic of Palau. Sea Shepherd — 2011
856. 2011-04-04 — An interview with Captain Paul Watson. Sea Shepherd — 2011
857. 2011-04-05 — How to Disrupt the Whaling Industry by Go Green Expo. Sea Shepherd — 2011
858. 2011-04-15 — Changing of the Colors. Sea Shepherd — 2011
859. 2011-04-19 — Sea Now! Popantipop and Sea Shepherd at SXSW 2011.. Sea Shepherd — 2011
860. 2011-05-05 — Cove Guardian Scott West in Taiji, May 4, 2011. Sea Shepherd — 2011
861. 2011-05-06 — Pilot Whales in the killing cove in Taiji, Japan. May 5, 2011. Sea Shepherd — 2011
862. 2011-06-06 — Sea Shepherd Crew at Work on The Bob Barker. Sea Shepherd — 2011
863. 2011-06-08 — 'Whale Wars' Still Making Waves in Season 4. Associated Press — 2011
864. 2011-06-14 — Time Lapse of The Bob Barker. Sea Shepherd — 2011
865. 2011-06-20 — Captain Paul Watson, on Bluefin Tuna. Sea Shepherd — 2011
866. 2011-07-07 — The Bob Barker in Sydney, Australia. Sea Shepherd — 2011
867. 2011-07-12 — Whale activists: 'Meet us don't eat us'. Al Jazeera English — 2011
868. 2011-07-20 — Emergency SOS from Captain Watson. Sea Shepherd needs your help! Our flagship, the Steve Irwin, has been seized by the British courts due to a frivolous lawsuit by a tuna poacher. We need your support in raising money for the bond. SOS - Save Our Ship!
869. 2011-10-21 — John Vidal takes a tour of the Steve Irwin. part of the Sea Shepherd organisation's fleet of activist vessels that pursue marine lawbreakers with 'aggressive non-violence'. The California-based anti-poaching group is run by Greenpeace co-founder Paul Watson, and takes on whalers and illegal fishermen
870. 2011-11-18 — Sea Shepherd's Gourmet Galley with Chef William. Sea Shepherd — 2011
871. 2011-11-22 — Captain Paul Watson on the Cove Guardians Campaign. Sea Shepherd — 2011
872. 2011-11-23 — Anti-whaling campaigners marshal their forces. ABC News (Australia) — 2011
873. 2011-12-07 — Sea Shepherd prepares to face Japan's whale fleet. Sky News Australia — 2011
874. 2011-12-08 — Sea Shepherd readies for 'battle'. Sky News Australia — 2011
875. 2011-12-09 — No intervention in high seas whaling confrontation, says Burke. Sky News Australia — 2011
876. 2011-12-16 — Captain Paul Watson asks for Your Support for Operation Divine Wind. Sea Shepherd — 2011
877. 2011-12-29 — Sea Shepherd vessel makes distress call. Sky News Australia — 2011
878. 2011-12-30 — Sea Shepherd vessel to be escorted back to Fremantle, 10 crew safe. Sky News Australia — 2011
879. 2012-01-09 — Anti-whaling activism. ABC News (Australia) — 2012
880. 2012-01-09 — Whaling Opponents Board Japanese Ship. Associated Press — 2012
881. 2012-01-09 — Australia risks behaving 'like a province of Japan', says Watson. Sky News Australia — 2012
882. 2012-01-09 — Whaling activists may be bound by Japanese law. Sky News Australia — 2012
883. 2012-01-09 — Govt unable to contact whaling activists. Sky News Australia — 2012
884. 2012-01-10 — Forest Rescue to continue to fight whaling by Japan. ABC News (Australia) — 2012
885. 2012-01-11 — Taiji, Japan: If dolphins could fly, they'd leave this place. Sea Shepherd — 2012
886. 2012-01-17 — Anti-whaling activist defends boarding Japanese vessel. Sky News Australia — 2012
887. 2012-01-20 — The Economics of Sustained Resistance. Sea Shepherd — 2012
888. 2012-01-27 — Spotlight on Cove Guardian Ethan Wolf. Sea Shepherd — 2012
889. 2012-02-02 — Following the trail of blood. Sea Shepherd — 2012
890. 2012-02-10 — Spotlight on Cove Guardian Troy Coyle. Sea Shepherd — 2012
891. 2012-03-02 — I am a Cove Guardian. Sea Shepherd — 2012
892. 2012-03-06 — Introducing Captain Peter Hammarstedt. Sea Shepherd — 2012
893. 2012-03-09 — Watson declares anti-whaling victory. ABC News (Australia) — 2012
894. 2012-03-14 — Operation Divine Wind - Thank you from Paul Watson. Sea Shepherd — 2012
895. 2012-03-14 — Sea Shepherd celebrates anti-whaling victory. ABC News (Australia) — 2012
896. 2012-03-16 — Sea Shepherd's Bob Barker Crew Prepares for Operation Divine Wind. The Bob Barker's crew prepares for the 2011-12 Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign Operation Divine Wind
897. 2012-03-20 — Captain Peter Hammarstedt discusses the success of Operation Divine Wind. March 15, 2012 - Captain Peter Hammarstedt talks about the success of the Operation Divine Wind campaign after the arrival of the Sea Shepherd ship Bob Barker in Hobart, Australia
898. 2012-04-21 — The Brigitte Bardot Returns. Sea Shepherd — 2012
899. 2012-05-05 — Captain Paul Watson comments on The Grind. Sea Shepherd — 2012
900. 2012-05-14 — 'Whale Wars' Anti-Whale-Hunting Activist Held by German Court. IBTimesTV — 2012
901. 2012-05-16 — Sea Shepherd Press Conference about Paul Watson's arrest and extradition. Sea Shepherd — 2012
902. 2012-05-22 — Paul Watson out of prison Sea Shepherd - Press Conference JV. Sea Shepherd — 2012
903. 2012-05-22 — Sea Shepherd founder bailed. ABC News (Australia) — 2012
904. 2012-05-22 — Sea Shepherd Founder Paul Watson Fights Extradition to Costa Rica for 2002 Shark Defense. Democracy Now! — 2012
905. 2012-05-23 — John Paul DeJoria Pleas to German Ministry to Free Paul Watson. Sea Shepherd — 2012
906. 2012-05-24 — Zach Callison shares his thoughts on Captain Paul Watson and Sea Shepherd. Sea Shepherd — 2012
907. 2012-05-29 — Bob Barker shares words of support for Captain Paul Watson. Sea Shepherd is an international, non-profit marine conservation organization that engages in direct action campaigns to defend wildlife, and conserve and protect the world’s oceans from illegal exploitation and environmental destruction.
908. 2012-05-29 — Richard Dean Anderson calls for Captain Paul Watson's release. Sea Shepherd — 2012
909. 2012-05-29 — Pamela Anderson shares her thoughts on Captain Paul Watson's arrest. Sea Shepherd — 2012
910. 2012-06-05 — Celebrating the Brigitte Bardot's new home in Melbourne, Australia. Sea Shepherd — 2012
911. 2012-06-06 — Entourage's Perrey Reeves Speaks Out for Captain Watson. Sea Shepherd — 2012
912. 2012-06-29 — Stars Rally for Captain Watson's release at Sea Shepherd's 35th Anniversary Event. Sea Shepherd — 2012
913. 2012-07-06 — Sea Shepherd to harass Sth Korean whalers. Sky News Australia — 2012
914. 2012-07-17 — Jeff Hansen and Bob Brown discuss Operation Kimberley Miinimbi. Sea Shepherd Australia Director Jeff Hansen and former Greens Senator Bob Brown share their thoughts on Operation Kimberley Miinimbi. Video by Fair Projects
915. 2012-07-20 — World Renowned Recording Artist, Moby, speaks in support of Captain Paul Watson. Sea Shepherd — 2012
916. 2012-07-26 — Jeff Hansen and Bob Brown discuss Operation Kimberley Miinimbi. Sea Shepherd Australia Director Jeff Hansen and Senator Bob Brown share their thoughts on Operation Kimnberley Miinimbi
917. 2012-07-26 — Captain Holland on the launch of Operation Kimberley Miinimbi. Sea Shepherd — 2012
918. 2012-07-28 — The Crew of the Steve Irwin on Operation Kimberley Miinimbi. The Crew of the Sea Shepherd ship, the Steve Irwin, talk about Operation Kimberley Miinimbi
919. 2012-08-08 — Mandat d'arrêt d'Interpol contre l'écologiste Paul Watson. euronews (en français) — 2012
920. 2012-08-11 — Bob Brown speaks about Operation Kimberley Miinimbi. Sea Shepherd — 2012
921. 2012-08-14 — John Butler performs for the crew of the Steve Irwin. Sea Shepherd — 2012
922. 2012-08-30 — Operation Kimberley Miinimbi film trailer. Sea Shepherd — 2012
923. 2012-08-30 — Sea Shepherd Galapagos documentary trailer. Sea Shepherd — 2012
924. 2012-09-06 — Captain Watson Gives Speech at Sea Shepherd 35th Anniversary Event in Colorado. Sea Shepherd — 2012

Full text archive: /loreline-text/sea-shepherd.md