Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

Description

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is a non-profit marine conservation organization that uses direct action to protect ocean wildlife.

It was formed in 1977 by Paul Watson, after he left Greenpeace, and its first vessel put to sea in 1978. It is based in the United States, with an affiliated global network including Sea Shepherd Global.

The organization deploys ships to track, document and physically impede fishing and whaling vessels it believes are engaged in illegal or unregulated activity. Campaigns have targeted seal hunting, shark finning, driftnet fishing and whaling in waters including the Southern Ocean, the Mediterranean, the South Pacific and around the Galapagos Islands. It has also worked with national governments on anti-poaching patrols in territorial waters and marine reserves, and it organizes onshore cleanups to remove plastic and other debris from oceans, streams and rivers.

Sea Shepherd is run by a board of directors with advisory boards covering science, law, animal welfare and media, and it is largely operated by volunteers with a small paid staff. It is funded by private and corporate donations, lectures and grants.