Watch Whale Wars



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If there’s a show that I’m looking forward to, it’s Whale Wars. It’s premiering on the Animal Planet on November 7th, 9PM EST. I always enjoyed reality shows (that are NOT on VH1) and this one is right tops on my list to watch. I watch the Deadliest Catch but that’s people vs. crabs (and mother nature) but Whale Wars is all that plus some really big boats of angry whalers.

During the 2007-2008 campaign, Animal Planet captured the intensity of Sea Shepherd’s mission and the trials and tribulations of the crew in a new seven-part, hour-long weekly series Whale Wars, premiering Friday, November 7 at 9 PM. The series draws attention to this global conservation issue that has caused friction between several nations over the practice of whaling in oceanic territories. This year’s campaign was particularly eventful with multiple engagements, capsizing, possible hostage taking and alleged shooting, and Animal Planet crews were onboard to document it as it unfolded.

Captain Paul Watson founded his Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in 1977 because he believed his new organization had to go even further to eradicate whaling, poaching, shark finning and habitat destruction — and to uphold international conservation laws on the high seas — than the Greenpeace group he had co-founded.

Watch a short clip from the show.


{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }

Kari K November 15, 2008 at 3:30 am

Wow. I am shocked and apalled. How could anyone promote a show that does not consider the well being of those involved?? These volunteers have no idea whose hands they have put their lives in! A crew muster drill in which no survival suits (absolutely necessary for survival in event of an emergency in a cold water climate) are provided? The “medic” recommends hot chocolate for those suffering from hypothermia? A skiff launch that is beyond incompetant – Where is the painter line? Why is the skiff launched without the motors warmed up? Who is driving the crane? Pull up when you see it turning! These are obvious concerns to those of us who work on boats. Something for those who would like to volunteer for something they believe in to think about…. Your safety is essential. Your voice will not be heard if you are dead. Educate yourself about the environment you will be in! This guy obviously does not care about the lives of those he recruits.
Granted, I have been at sea for 18 years. But just the same I would never risk lives of people just for my own publicity. Paul sucks. The show is laughable for anyone who has been out to sea and a warning to those who do so for their own just (or un) just causes.

Nick November 21, 2008 at 9:59 pm

I have to say this show is a joke. I understand, save the whales but there are better ways of doing it. I’m saddened by the fact that there are people who are willing to do practically anything for whales but what about the human race? We can’t exactly help the whales if we cannot help ourselves. There are sick and suffering people everwhere in the world but we have a group of “sailors” parading around like they are the greatest thing since the invention of the wheel. I was flipping through the channels and I caught the part where they sent two of thier men onboard a ship. Afterwards, the Sea Shepard turned around and said that those men were kidnapped. No, they lied to the media to get the message out. That’s low, boarder line desperate. My favorite part, after the crew members hopped on board the ship, the captain said that they have accepted the fact that they might lose thier lives. They put themselves in that situation, and the crew members of the other boat aren’t going to make those two men walk the plank or something along those lines. I’m in a job that might actually require me to lay down my life, but I don’t go around tooting my own horn about it. They spend more time bragging up thier own cause rather than doing something about it. On top of that the tactics are childish. Just what the world needs another group of radicals with no common sense. I really am ashamed for those in the crew. So don’t mind the thousands who are dying in Africa each day, take care of that whaler. Way to prioritize.

Bart May 24, 2009 at 9:34 am

You two guys are losers. The whales have no chance against man. Why don’t you two go save man?

W. Jackson May 24, 2009 at 12:21 pm

If Animal Planet didn’t advertise the show I’d have thought it produced by the Japanese whaling industry. I am awe struck that Animal Planet could air a show that actually makes the whalers look sympathetic and rationale.

dadida June 4, 2009 at 6:26 pm

Save the whales!

Gee…if the lead guy were willing to give up 50% of his daily calorie intake (which will likely save his ass from heart attack and diabetes in 10 years), at least 10 human beings in Africa would’ve able to get a least adequate energy. His noble fat ass is a debt to earth itself.

Now get back in the fucking kitchen and get me my hamburger!

Michael June 7, 2009 at 9:44 pm

As a naturalist, volunteer and environmentalist I have to say I really dislike this show. There are so many better ways to use resources to stop whaling. The way this guy runs the crew is more cult like than anything else. The tactics he uses are dangerous and demonstrate a total lack of interest for the safety of his crew. He doesn’t care about them or whales, he cares about press. How can you illegally board a vessel and then call them hostages! Incredible. Amazing how he’s the only one on board with a bullet proof vest. What about dying for the cause? Obviously he doesn’t practice what he preaches. Shame on Animal Planet.

Sean August 2, 2009 at 10:44 pm

Animal planet sucks for promoting illegal eco-terrorism + just bad tv.

Greg August 14, 2009 at 7:58 pm

It’s hard not be against whaling, since some whales are endangered and they are most likely sentient, intelligent creatures some of which live as long as humans.

But the skipper and crew of Sea Shepard manage to make themselves so unlikeable with their idiotic statements and boundless arrogance that you start rooting against the supposed whale protectors.

Paul Watson has a malignant personality behind his gapped-toothed, slack-jawed face. Gee, I wonder why Greenpeace kicked him out? Maybe because he is a controlling tyrant who no one but a bunch of idealistic drifters with nothing better to do than spend a few months as the UNPAID crew in the worst area of the southern ocean.

They could be killed or seriously injured by the actions of their clueless shipmates, and Paul would give them the same consideration he would give a cockroach under his foot.

And the first mate, he looks like a real winner. This loser obviously never served on a naval vessel or any other for that matter. He looks like a real poindexter, but somehow he got to be the right hand man of Watson, probably because he’s the only person on earth who can stand to take direct orders from him.

We kill and eat an animal held sacred by the Hindus, but no one tries to stop that. Granted, they are farm animals, and not endangered, but SOME whales are not, and should we condemn another culture because of it’s dietary practices?

Watching Watson and the the show “Whale Wars” is like watching a train wreck, it’s so bad, you can’t turn away.

Judy Gallo August 26, 2009 at 7:33 pm

I sent an e-mail directly to their website criticizing last weeks show. They stood around crying while watching a group of whales being slaughtered .and did absolutely nothing to stop it..I tried to be as polite as possible although it wasn’t easy.They’re response was that i and everyone else that disagrees with them and they’re tactics can….and im quoting…..go fuck themselves and kiss they’re asses….. and what the fuck am I doing to save whales?…… So they are classy as well as intelligent. So Iv’e been engaged in a verbal battle with them for the last few days . What a wast of time and energy. I’ve blocked their e-mails.

Mr. Nice Guy September 7, 2009 at 4:42 pm

This cause, though noble, is laughable. This crew has not been able to do one thing to impact the slaughter of whales. Throwing stink bombs is almost as ineffective as the crew’s inept navigational skills. The captain is a smarmy, camera loving, know nothing know-it-all leading a crew of bright-eyed, idealistic, and ineffective enviroyuppies. Their budget would be much more well spent by subcontracting another crew who could actually do something worthwhile.

Gary Kennedy January 6, 2010 at 2:56 am

Yes !

I’m with you.

Take care

Kurt June 4, 2010 at 5:16 pm

I am a commercial fisherman from Kodiak Alaska. I think that killing whales is horrendous, but this show is fucking ridiculous and hilarious. The entire crew is a bunch of incompetent childish idiots. Once the whale is killed why the fuck would you try to destroy that meat? They will just catch another and another and another. Once you kill something use it, eat it, whatever or its just a total fucking waste.

God I can not believe these idiots. Who is paying for all that diesel, food, and supplies that these idiots are using?

I suggest to the crew to actually do something about whaling; instead of paying all that money for fuel and what not hire a fucking lawyer, create a PR campaign and lobby the fuck out of Japan. Or maybe just get a freaking real job!

It sounds a little harsh but how bad ass was it when that japanese guy shot the harpoon at that whale?

Bob August 7, 2010 at 9:54 pm

What a joke do they realy think the are doing anything out there
i don’t think any part of this show is real it’s all staged . there is no way they could be that stupid. this show is a joke & just think there are people that sponsor these people . you can’t fix stupid
that’s for sure . this hole show is nothing but a joke .

Unimpressed August 20, 2010 at 6:53 pm

These eco-cops are so inept I watch just to see their next stupid plan. Whether or not you agree with their cause, what gives them the “right” to interfere with another vessel at sea. Who made them the ocean police? Some people cause death to other human beings with their driving behaviors, but I would be arrested if I bombed their car or intimidated them the way these pathetic people do the Japanese ships. And when they get so excited about their so-called victories, I am embarassed or them. It DOES make me root for the Japanese!

Pam Klien August 22, 2010 at 4:34 pm

The show is a joke. It essentially a guy who wants to cruise around and accomplish nothing. The last episode I witnessed saw a Japanese whaler and one of the Sea Shepard boats firing water cannon at one another – WTF?
Get a job and donate money to a worthy cause.

Frank Lanzisera December 26, 2010 at 2:54 pm

Joke, Joke, Joke. I can appreciate their passion and intentions, but these folks are in way over their heads. I watched the show for several hours today and did not see them accomplish anything substantial. One of the rookie captains takes his old ship directly into a huge storm? What a novice placing his crew and assets in harms way. Then you have the other cap taking his ship through an ice field to escape the pursuit ship. His ship’s hull is not built to run ice fields but he takes a chance. But alas he failed to figure the pursuit ship being faster could just skirt arount the ice pack and voila meet him on the other side. Anyone crewing with these bozos better leave behind some good life insurance.

ted June 2, 2011 at 4:00 pm

well as some can see its 2011 and the only reason im even watching some of this show is because its free on cable for now, i guess because their new season is coming up..
anyway yeah this show is a BIG joke, i mean talk about DRAMA, hell not only alot of that but alot of FAKE camera shots, and i guess i seen the one where most of you are talking about where thejaps got 3 whales and all the crew did was sit around and cry, lol just to much..

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