Who We Are

Our Mission

To defend, conserve and protect our ocean.

Sea Shepherd is an international, non-profit marine conservation organization that engages in direct action campaigns to defend wildlife and conserve and protect the world’s oceans from illegal exploitation and environmental destruction.

Why We Fight

Threats to the health of our ocean ecosystems

Our ocean and its inhabitants are dying from overfishing and habitat destruction. Poachers plunder marine life sanctuaries with impunity, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing goes unchecked in the high seas far from public scrutiny.

Our Approach

Direct action to enforce laws protecting our oceans

International and national laws protecting the world’s oceans are difficult to enforce. Sea Shepherd uses direct action to defend marine life on the high seas and works with national authorities to tackle illegal fishing in sovereign waters.

Our Fleet

The Sea Shepherd Fleet

Sea Shepherd’s worldwide fleet – currently consisting of 12 vessels – plays a crucial role in our mission to defend, conserve and protect marine life in direct-action campaigns around the world, from Antarctica to Africa.

Our History

The History of Sea Shepherd

Sea Shepherd was founded in 1977 by Paul Watson, one of the original members of Greenpeace. Since its grassroots beginnings it has grown into an unstoppable global movement with independent groups established in over 20 countries.