Sea Shepherd Vs. Japan
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society isn't your ordinary group of animal-loving activists. Paul Watson, the founder of the organization, and his crew have taken maritime justice into their own hands, working to protect ocean life against fishing, whaling and seal hunting vessels. Watson and co. have effectively declared a vigilante war against various fishing and whaling ships since 1977. Sea Shepherd crew aboard the Steve Irwin threw stink bombs containing butyric acid onto the decks of a Japanese whaling ship, the Nisshin Maru, this February. Three whalers were reportedly injured by the stink bombs. Sea Shepherd ships have been known to take direct action, ramming whaling ships in the past. But the Society isn't the only one giving the Japanese a hard time. Australia decided to take legal action against Japan on May 31 over whaling in Antarctic waters.