US Court Orders Watson and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to Stay Away from Whaling Ships

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society suffered a setback in court this week when the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ordered that the controversial anti-whaling non profit group are prohibited from physically attacking, or approaching within 500 yards of any Institute of Cetacean Research vessels navigating on the open sea.

Although sparse on details, the Society has big plans for their anti-whaling campaign this winter, all of which is planned to be televised in the 9th season of television program, “Whale Wars.”

Considering the head of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Paul Watson, is already an international fugitive, and their reputation for extremely reckless behavior on the high seas, it seems rather doubtful this ruling will have any noticeable impact on their operations.

“We will defend these whales as we have for the last eight years – non-violently and legally,” said Captain Paul Watson in a reaction to the court order.

In a press release, the Society commented, “Our ships, officers and crew are 100% committed to achieving a zero-kill quota on whales. This is Operation Zero Tolerance and 120 crewmembers from 26 different nations are prepared to risk their lives to defend endangered and protected whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. Sea Shepherd is committed to defending the integrity of this internationally established sanctuary.”

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