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You may have noticed that on our boats we fly a black flag that almost looks like a pirate flag? It’s actually the flag of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCC). The Sea Shepherds are an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization. Their mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species.

What we love about Sea Shepherd is that they are on the front lines of defending whales and other marine wildlife. They are literally on the front lines impeding the paths of illegal whaling ships. At times they are physically ramming their vessels into poachers vessels to stop them. Or as Sea Shepherd puts it:

Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas.

However you put it, Sea Shepherd is out there making a real difference when it comes to ending illegal whaling and fishing. Ramming their boats into poachers isn’t the only thing they do though. They lead powerful campaigns against a diversity of issues around marine wildlife.

Currently, they have 4 active campaigns including:

Operation Virus Hunter

• Wild salmon populations of the Pacific Northwest are potentially at risk due to the impact of diseases and parasites caught from farmed salmon that share the same waterways.

Operation Milagro III

• Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s Operation Milagro III (Operation Miracle) continues our conservation efforts for the endangered vaquita porpoise, a species on the brink of extinction.

Operation Jairo II

• Defending endangered populations of green, leatherback, hawksbill, olive ridley and loggerhead turtles in Florida, Costa Rica and Honduras.

Operation Galapagos

• To cooperate in the conservation of the natural protected areas in Galapagos, in the protection of marine species, and in education and environmental awareness.

Obviously, we are most invested in campaigns that specifically target illegal and inhumane whaling. But we love standing with the Sea Shepherds in all they do because at the end of the day we need to protect the whole ocean and everything in it.

If you want to learn more about the Sea Shepherds or want to get involved with their organization, they have a chapter here in the lower mainland. You can also visit their website here or ask captain Andrew about them!

If you are interested in what we are doing about preserving whales check out one of our recent blog posts about being whale wise. However, be sure to follow us in the social world on Facebook or Instagram to keep connected and current on any special events or offers coming up.

See you out on the water!

Jesse Finkle