Whale Wars (2008– )

This stunning and dangerous limited series spotlights both the controversial Japanese whaling trade and the tactics that the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and its staff and volunteers ... See full summary »

Stars:

Chris Aultman, Peter Hammarstedt, Benjamin Potts

Nominated for 6 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Chris Aultman	...	Himself - Helicopter Pilot (25 episodes, 2008-2012)
Peter Hammarstedt	...	Himself - 2nd Mate, Sweden (20 episodes, 2008-2012)
Benjamin Potts	...	Himself - Deckhand, Australia (19 episodes, 2008-2012)
Paul Watson	...	Himself - Captain (17 episodes, 2008-2012)
Laurens de Groot	...	Deckhand (17 episodes, 2008-2011)
Alex Cornelissen	...	Himself - Bob Barker Captain (13 episodes, 2011-2012)
Lockhart Maclean	...	Himself - Captain (13 episodes, 2011-2012)
Amber Paarman	...	Herself - 2nd Cook, South Africa (11 episodes, 2008-2011)
Chad Halstead	...	Himself - Small Boat Driver (11 episodes, 2011-2012)
Laura Dakin		(11 episodes, 2009-2011)
Luke Van Horn		(11 episodes, 2009-2011)

Storyline

This stunning and dangerous limited series spotlights both the controversial Japanese whaling trade and the tactics that the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and its staff and volunteers use to cripple it. Aboard the Motor Yacht "Steve Irwin" the group seeks out the Japanese whaling fleet and then uses it's Delta Zodiac, helicopter, and other innovative techniques to enforce the law, including close-quarters ship-to-ship contact, to disable and/or sink the Japanese whaling ships in the fight to enforce international laws on the high seas where law enforcement is minimal or non-existent. The successful confrontations disrupt whale carcass processing and disperse the fleet of whaling vessels.

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Plot Keywords:

whaling | whale | sea shepherd | piracy

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Taglines:

What is the price of victory? (season 4)

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Genres:

Documentary | Reality-TV

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Details

Official Sites:

Animal Planet

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 November 2008 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Southern Ocean, South Australia, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

RIVR Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in The Middle: The Safe (2012)

User Reviews

Worth Watching but Questionable Tactics

Watching the show I would have to agree with the woman interviewed from Greenpeace who said "they (the Sea Shepherds) have set our cause back years." Paul Watson, the Captain and Paul Brown, his first Mate, seem like completely unprepared grade school children. However that may be the shows motive to display just how unprepared and haphazard the crew is…yet willing to risk it all to save the whales.

My opinion, the Sea Shepherds would be far better off taking pictures of the Japanese whaling ships, their captains and their crews. Find out who they are and posting their pictures and all their information on the Internet. Throwing stink bombs and harassing the Whaling boats just aggravates the whalers and escalates the situation.

Although I do not agree with the tactics the show has informed me of the unnecessary killing of an endangered species for money and using "research" as an excuse. The show is certainly worth watching once you get past fact the captain and first mate are bit immature and their tactics are a pretty worthless. I will continue watching and am curious as to whether the Sea Shepherds will learn anything from their mistakes. I recommend watching an episode or two and posting your opinion.