"Whale Wars" starts Friday, November 7th on Animal Planet

[flvegan]

Sea Shepherd is very excited to announce that on Friday, November 7th Animal Planet will premiere Whale Wars at 9 PM ET/PT in the US, and internationally in early 2009.

During Sea Shepherd’s Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign: Operation Migaloo in 2007/08, Animal Planet had a camera crew on board a campaign that saved the lives of nearly 500 whales, leaving the Japanese fleet with less then half of their quota and costing them tens of millions of dollars. This new seven-part, hour-long weekly series follows the crew of the Sea Shepherd vessel, Steve Irwin as they use non-violent direct action techniques that garner world wide media attention in an effort to shut down the illegal Japanese whaling fleet and enforce international conservation law.

The series draws attention to this issue that has sparked a global controversy over the practice of illegal whaling under the guise of research and has put a political strain between several nations. This campaign was especially successful. For the third year in a row, Sea Shepherd was able to keep the Japanese whaling fleet from reaching their self imposed quota saving hundreds of whales. Operation Migaloo was very intense with multiple engagements with the whaling fleet, capsizing, hostage taking and a shooting and Animal Planet crews were onboard to document it as it unfolded.

The show will focus on the Sea Shepherd crew’s dedication to end illegal whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. The series documents the three-month campaign across the icy waters of the Antarctic.

“This is an opportunity for millions of people around the world to wake up to the fact that hundreds of whales are being illegally slaughtered under the guise of research and we as the human species have to say enough is enough,” said Jonny Vasic, Director of Video and Film Projects for Sea Shepherd.

For additional information, photos and a sneak peak at the series go to:
http://animal.discovery.com/tv/whale-wars/

http://www.seashepherd.org/news/media_081002_1.html

Seven hours of anti-whaling Sea Shepherd love...don't miss it. Spread the word, as we're looking at another whaling season in the Antarctic battlegrounds beginning around the same time.

[LeftyMom]

1. I already saw a sneak peek, and I'm super excited.

From what I saw it looks incredible, both visually and in terms of having a compelling story to tell.

[flvegan]

2. It's also third party.

With a good rep.

*giggles with anticipation*

But then, there are the idiots with the ability to post vids to YouTube and paint a predictable, errant, moronic view of whatever they disagree with.

But then, This Is Sea Shepherd.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqDOOX_5J0Y

5:11 is bliss.

[AFSCME girl]

3. I'm so excited to see this...

I can't wait :bounce: Thanks for posting, flvegan!

[flvegan]

4. Here's a reminder kick!

BTW, SSCS has totally revamped their website. Worth checking out.

http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-081002-1.html

[LeftyMom]

5. They was on Teh Newz.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27453795

[nankerphelge]

6. Should be excellent...

I need to send in some more $.

[flvegan]

7. What a BRILLIANT show!

This is a must-see program.

[XemaSab]

8. So far it's the LIVING BOMB

Man, I saw Minkes and Fins offshore last week. :(

[LeftyMom]

9. First episode was pretty damned good.

:thumbsup:

The visuals of the southern ocean were great on the big screen.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

10. That show was awesome...finally watched it this afternoon (DVR)

LostinVA thought it was great that the ship was named "steve Irwin" (she didn't know).

Seriously, if we were in a position to do so, I would love to be crew on that.

[flvegan]

11. Yeah, I wish I'd find someone to subsidize me crewing.

I've been on the boat, I know the boat. I was raised on the water. Sigh.

And, I was a pitcher. I could throw a bottle of rotten butter like Papelbon.

[Kolesar]

12. My sweetie didn't think lobbing bottles of butyric acid was how to bring "the change we need"

She didn't even watch the entire reprise of the first episode.

The world is a vampire

It really spoke to the frustrated would-be eco-warrior in me. I have been following the adventures of Captain Watson since his accounts were written in Outside Magazine a long while ago. I found his book "Sea Shepherd" in the county library. I recommend it. Paul Watson was "the original Save the Baby Seals guy".

I must admit, I am torn on this one. I follow the ideals of Ghandi and King. More later

What do you want?
I want change

[LeftyMom]

13. I think it's important to remember that social change takes all kinds of activists

Ghandi looked reasonable because other anti-colonialism activists were blowing shit up. Compared to Malcom X, dealing with Dr. King looked real good. Non-violence may sound more appealing, but I can't think of a successful non-violent movement that didn't benefit significantly from a radical component.

I think it's clear from the past that the way to create change is to make the status quo unacceptably expensive and risky.

[Kolesar]

14. Animal Planet returned my letter about Whale Wars

Dear Viewer:

Thank you for contacting Discovery Networks. We appreciate your enthusiasm
regarding our programming. Positive feedback such as yours is very
important to us, as it assures us that our goals are being met. We will
pass your comments on to our program management and executive producers for
further review.

Thank you again for expressing interest in our programming.

Sincerely,

Viewer Relations
Discovery Networks

A reply to this message will not be answered. If you have additional
questions or comments, please go to our webform at
http://extweb.discovery.com/viewerrelations
___\|/___\|/___\|/___\|/___

I make a point of writing letters to newspapers, but I especially make a point of writing to reporters and other media sources. I usually write about some technical detail of energy policy or the war. In this case, I just wrote to say I liked their show. :)

[Kolesar]

15. My email

Thank you for presenting "Whale Wars" and please thank S.C. Johnson company for sponsoring it. I was already familiar with Sea Shepherd from Watson's book and an article in Outside Magazine from a long time ago.

I am in favor of whale conservation. I am watching your show to assess the effectivity of the Sea Shepherd society.

My compliments to your video and editing staff. The video of the southern ocean is beautiful.