Sea Shepherd’s SOLE MISSION is to protect and conserve the world’s oceans and marine wildlife. We work to defend all marine wildlife, from whales and dolphins, to sharks and rays, to fish and krill, without exception.
Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is one of the largest transnational crimes in the world, generating billions in illicit profits each year and devastating the ocean in ways few other crimes can match. Our remedy is Direct Action; a collaborative model that partners with governments to push back on decades of exploitation and neglect using ships, technology, tenacity and a relentless commitment to hands-on, daily solutions. We fight the poachers, cartels, and industrial trawlers that break the law, that push species to the edge, and our crews and volunteers work to bring their days of devastating the ocean to an end.
Guardians of the Sea: How Sea Shepherd Battles Poaching and Protects Endangered Species
We do that by denying the poachers access to endangered species. Our ships patrol protected areas, monitor for IUU, and work with our partner country’s law enforcement to not only stop but prevent the illegal fishing from taking place. And our campaigns are transparent, uploading real-time data about our challenges, impact and methodologies so the world can see what we do and the impact our ships have every day in defense of the natural world.
Sea Shepherd: Frontline Defenders in the Global Battle to Save Our Oceans
Sea Shepherd stands at the critical line between survival and extinction for countless marine species targeted by illegal ocean exploitation.
From leading the global fight to end the slaughter of pilot whales and white-sided dolphins in the Faroe Islands, to partnering with the Mexican government in defense of the vaquita porpoise, now pushed to the brink of extinction, our work spans oceans. In the Upper Gulf of California, the M/V Seahorse and its crew are in the Vaquita Refuge 24/7, driving illegal fishing completely out of the protected area. The Seahorse also plays a vital role in rescuing sea lions, cutting them free from the deadly nets used in illegal fishing.
The endangered totoaba is another victim of illegal fishing. Sea Shepherd works closely with the Mexican Navy to intercept traffickers involved in the totoaba trade, targeting the black-market operations threatening both totoaba and vaquitas.
At Scorpion Reef, our newest campaign focuses on defending millions of marine animals from illegal fishing in one of the world’s richest ecosystems. By partnering with governments, we help enforce laws and hold those responsible for illegal activities accountable.
In Antarctica, Sea Shepherd continues to monitor krill overfishing, a major threat to whales and the overall health of the Southern Ocean ecosystem.
Through these efforts, we are exposing illegal, unregulated, and inhumane fishing and whaling practices, stopping them in their tracks, and ensuring that those who exploit marine life face the consequences they can no longer escape.
Click HERE for all the ways YOU can be part of the solution with Sea Shepherd.
