Past Sea Shepherd UK Events
Sea Shepherd UK (Registered Charity no. 1110501)
Welcome to Sea Shepherd UK. We have a large and active network of volunteers in the UK who organise a variety of events and fundraisers every year in support of Sea Shepherds global campaigns. We'll be posting items on this webpage about UK events and protests, how you can volunteer for us, and how you can join in with our onshore support network. Sea Shepherd UK is also working with other sympathetic organisations to help secure support for our global ocean wildlife conservation campaigns.
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Vegan Welsh 3,000s
"Welcome to Vegan Welsh 3,000s 2012!
We’re a group of vegan runners who’ve teamed up to run the mighty Welsh 3,000s on June 16th this year.
We’re hoping to raise £1,000 for Sea Shepherd UK, click here to find out how you can sponsor us
We’re very lucky to be sponsored by Salomon, world’s best running shoe manufacturer, to learn more about this
Veganism is a simple way of using less of the world’s resources, causing less pain and death and some may argue healthier too! To find out about veganism
Please get in if you would be able to help out on the day or before!
Thank you!
Vegan Welsh 3,000s Team :-)"
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NEW 'No Red Seas' Compilation album
All proceeds goto to Sea Shepherd
A huge thanks to Lesley Malone and all the artists on this fantastic 54 track album for all their hard work in putting together this excellent compilation album.
A preview of the album, and info on how to to buy it can be found on the album's bandcamp page here.
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Come and see us at the West Lancashire Vegan Fayre!
Whether you are a vegan, or a vegetarian or omnivore who wants to learn more about veganism, the 2012 West Lancashire Vegan Fair is an excellent place to do so, as it will be the biggest vegan event which has ever been organised in Lancashire.
After 2 successful events near Blackpool in 2009 and 2010 which were featured on BBC Radio Lancashire and in 2 local newspapers, and which were each attended by several hundred people, West Lancashire Vegan Fair moves to a much bigger venue, 2 floors of almost the whole of a building, which gives us a lot of extra space for more stalls, a separate room for a vegan cafe and children's area, and a separate room for speakers.
This year's attractions include:
50+ stalls over 2 floors
Free vegan food
Vegan cookery demos
Speakers
Free recipe booklets
Vegan cafe
Children's area
The fair takes place at Lancaster Friends Meeting House, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster, LA1 1TX on Saturday May the 12th from 11am till 5pm. The venue is next door to Lancaster Railway Station.
Website
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Sea Shepherd UK Boat Sale
The Steve Irwin is selling two of its RIBs!
These boats have been used on Steve Irwin as action, rescue, dive and work boats for the past 2 years. The VSR saw service on Operation Waltzing Matilda, Blue Rage 1, No Compromise, Blue Rage 2, Ferocious Isles. The Joker was first used on Secret Faroes campaign in 2010 to patrol the fjords and killing beaches, then was modified at sea on No Compromise and used as tender and action boat on that campaign. It also saw service in Blue Rage 2,and Ferocious Isles. Both have been surveyed and are in good working order with Sea Shepherd decals, lifting points, nav lights.
Both RIBs are currently in Southampton and are available right away. Further details can be found at ApolloDuck.com at the links below:
Joker
VSR
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Dylan and Tom undertake an epic trip for Sea Shepherd!
Please join us in wishing Dyland and Tom the best of luck on their charity Cycle/Walk for their GCSE Citizenship at Fowey Community College:
- DAY 1 - TUESDAY 3 APRIL (approx 15.2 miles)
Leave from Plymouth National Marine Aquarium 10.30-11am and walk to the Torpoint Passenger Ferry. From there, cycle to Looe - camp at West Wayland Campsite.
- DAY 2 - WEDNESDAY 4 APRIL (approx 23 miles)
Cycle from Looe to Mevagissey and camp at Pentewan Holiday Park.
- DAY 3 - THURSDAY 5 APRIL (approx 19.8 miles)
Cycle from Mevagissey to St Just in Roseland and camp at Trethem Mill Touring Park.
- DAY 4 - FRIDAY 6 APRIL (approx 29.9 miles)
Cycle from St Just in Roseland to Hayle and camp at Treglisson Touring Park.
- DAY 5 - SATURDAY 7 APRIL (approximately 17.2 miles)
Cycle from Hayle to Sennen. Then walk the remainder to Land's End.
Wow! Good luck lads!
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Sticks and stones may break our bones, but we know how to splint them!!
Sea shepherd has always been proud to state that in the 30+ years of defending our oceans directly, not a single person has been killed or injured whilst on campaign. We have always been concerned about the safety of others, as well as ourselves at sea.
This weekend, 4 Sea Shepherd UK volunteers undertook an outdoor fieldwork first aid course in Birmingham, learning how to recognise the signs and symptoms of an injury whilst in the field (or at sea), and how to deal with it until help arrives. From splinting fractured bones to clotting a serious bleed, we were taught how to deal with an emergency situation in a calming manner.
The Collins English Dictionary defines first aid as: “immediate medical assistance given in an emergency”, and as our ships can sometimes be a few days from medical assistance, the ability to treat an injury before it becomes serious is always a positive thing. Our vessel carry a medical officer on every campaign, and their experience, knowledge and quick responses are paramount to keeping the crew safe.
Stuart Marshall of Marlin Training, who is an experienced first aider with qualifications in medical and biological sciences that fall of the page, ran the course. Stuart kindly offered this course to Sea Shepherd UK, being an avid supporter and a passionate conservationist.
Working in the healthcare environment myself, this course was perfect to teach you how to deal with a serious medical emergency with limited resources in an isolated environment.
I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn first aid, especially if you plan to go on an expedition or trip. Not only is it a great medical course, but an excellent bonding and team building course too, idea for efficient ship work!
You can contact Stuart about this course by visiting http://www.marlintraining.co.uk.
Christopher Bie
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Sea Shepherd-breaking news
15th December 2011.
All three Sea Shepherd ships depart from Australia today for the Southern Ocean. The Bob Barker from Hobart, Tasmania, the Steve Irwin from Albany, Western Australia and the Brigitte Bardot from Fremantle in Western Australia. Operation Divine Wind has begun.
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Sea Shepherd Art Sale
We'd like to say a huge thanks to Godmachine, Pete Fowler, Dan Mumford, Tom Newall and Tom Hovey of The Dead Sea Mob for creating such fantastic works of art, LIVE at our fundraiser on the HMS Belfast! And especially for donating the proceeds from their sale to Sea Shepherd!
The full range can be seen below, or on their ebay page.
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Sea Shepherd UK are proud to announce..
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The Steve Irwin is coming to London!
(Volunteers needed)
August 21st 2011
Our infamous vessel, the Steve Irwin is free and coming to London!
From the 5th, to the 13th of September, our flagship the Steve Irwin, and its dedicated crew will be docked in the South Dock of London's historic West India Docklands next to Canary Wharf. Best of all, the ship will be open to the public who can take a tour of the ship!
For Sea Shepherd UK it's all hands on deck and we would like to call out to allvolunteers, both current and potential to please donate their time and energy in helping us supplying and securing the ship.
If you are avaulable to help, please get in touch with us here.
Further details on how you can help will be posted online in the coming days, so please keep an eye out here, and on our facebook page.
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Sea Shepherd's Flagship Vessel the Steve Irwin is Free at Last!
August 1st 2011
Due to the generosity of our supporters around the world, Sea Shepherd UK has raised over $735,000 to save the flagship Steve Irwin—less than two weeks after the launch of our SOS! - Save Our Ship fundraising campaign! Thank you to everyone who helped make it possible for us to fund a bond to release the vessel from detainment! Together, we will continue to make a difference.
As many of you are aware, on July 15, the Steve Irwin was detained in the Scottish Shetland Islands pending our ability to fund a bond we estimated to be in the amount of USD $1,411,692.87. The detainment was ordered by British courts due to a civil lawsuit brought against us by Maltese fishing company Fish & Fish Limited.
Thankfully, the bond was posted earlier today, and the Steve Irwin will soon depart to the Faeroes for Operation Ferocious Isles. The Steve Irwin will join the vessel Brigitte Bardot and her crew, who are already onsite defending pilot whales.
The British court set the bond today at 520,000 British pounds (approximately $846,290 USD). Once the exact amount was set, Sea Shepherd UK Director Darren Collis scrambled to the bank and set up the money transfer (to the court) with only one minute to spare—and the bond was posted!
A court date has not been set for the civil case brought against Sea Shepherd by the Maltese bluefin tuna company Fish & Fish Limited. However, Sea Shepherd is ready to battle with this company that is contributing to the demise of the imperiled bluefin. We firmly believe we caught their boats red-handed, unlawfully taking bluefin tuna from Libyan waters. We have evidence, and we look forward to our day in court against these plunderers of the ocean.
Fish & Fish has a history of using the legal system to harass their opposition. In 2007, journalist Raphael Vassallo with the publication Malta Today began writing about local tuna companies. He pointed out alleged shortcomings in import-export data, fattening rates that appeared biologically impossible, and a case of illegally re-flagged vessels. Vassallo and his newspaper were later served with a civil suit in what he described as “a mass libel legal action by all five companies” on the island — Ta'Mattew Fish Farms, Fish & Fish Tuna Ranch, Malta Fish Farms, AJD Tuna, and Mare Blu Tuna Ranch. The companies accused Vassallo of being responsible for financial losses caused by his “libelous” and “defamatory” allegations.
The charges against Vassallo were eventually dropped but the tuna companies continue to sue the newspaper because the lawsuit functions to prevent the newspaper from reporting on the issue.
Fish & Fish are trying to intimidate Sea Shepherd as well, and hoping to cripple us financially, and thus reduce our ability to oppose tuna poaching in the Mediterranean.
“We will not be unsettled or bullied by their wealth and their reputation of using litigation to silence their opposition. The bluefin tuna is on the threshold of extinction,” said Sea Shepherd Founder and President Captain Paul Watson. “We owe it to this species to fight the poachers on the sea, in the media, and in the courts. We acted justly in intervening against their illegal operation. And win or lose, we believe that the bluefin tuna—an awesome, magnificent species on the brink of extinction—is worth whatever money and effort we can muster to save it.” Sea Shepherd’s mission Operation Blue Rage will continue to intervene against bluefin tuna poachers.
“There is no court, no corporation, and no government on earth that will convince us that it is wrong to prevent the extinction of these fish,” said Captain Watson. “The economics of extinction is what we are fighting. Diminishment drives up prices and as the populations of fish in the oceans plummet, the price of frozen fish in the warehouses increases and this, the most expensive fish in the world will become even more expensive. With extinction, the frozen corpses become priceless. This is greed at the height of depravity, showing no respect for nature or regard to future generations, and we will not stand by and allow the bluefin to slip into the oblivion of biological extinction. Whatever the cost, whatever the risk, we intend to defend the bluefin tuna.”
We sincerely thank everyone that donated to help Save Our Ship. Your help enabled us to ‘Free the Steve’ and it will soon be on its way to the Faeroes. However, despite everyone’s best efforts, we had to cut into our already scarce budget to meet the bond amount and ‘Free the Steve.’ We face the ongoing costs of Operation Ferocious Isles, the transit of our vessels from the northern hemisphere to the southern for Operation Divine Wind, and finally, the cost of that Antarctic campaign as well. We are all on the same crew, despite our different roles and varying locations. We all feel that inner drive to protect innocent lives and ecosystems, and I know many of you have given what you can— but please keep your donations coming in. Without your help, we cannot continue this important work.
“We are in a war to save our oceans from ourselves,” said Captain Watson. “And if we lose, we all lose because if the oceans die, we all die – it’s as simple as that.”
Please continue to support us and keep our ships at sea, doing what they do best!
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SOS – Save Our Ship the Steve Irwin!
Update and Continuing Appeal
Steve irwin detained in Lerwick Scotland. August 1st 2011
On behalf of Captain Watson and everyone at Sea Shepherd around the globe, I offer a heartfelt Thank You to all of you who have donated to help us Save Our Ship! However, the ship is still being detained in port in Lerwick, Scotland pending our ability to fund a bond we estimate to be in the amount of USD $1,411,692.87.
How did we get here? As some of you are aware, late on the afternoon of Friday, July 15, our vessel the Steve Irwin was detained in the Scottish Shetland Islands by the British courts due to a civil lawsuit brought against us by Maltese fishing company Fish and Fish Limited. They are claiming damages for the bluefin tuna we rescued from their nets in June 2010, fish that we believe were illegally caught after the season has closed, without an inspector onboard, or any paperwork documenting the legality of their catch.
Since our initial appeal just six days ago, those of you who love marine life have given us a record number of donations in this timeframe and we are deeply touched by your outpouring of support. As of Sunday, July 24, we have estimated donations at USD $442,279.37 – this is fantastic, but we are still far from our goal.
The Westra, purchased in 2006I have worked with Sea Shepherd for 16 years now so I can’t help but get sentimental during this effort to Save Our Ship. I hope you share our love for this ship that has done so much to defend ocean wildlife. The 174-foot vessel Steve Irwin is very precious to us! In the fall of 2006, when we first found the ship in Scotland it was named the Westra – and had proudly served as a Scottish Fisheries Protection vessel. Sea Shepherd bought the ship with the help our generous supporters, renamed it the Robert Hunter (after Captain Watson’s good friend with whom he founded Greenpeace), and sailed to the Antarctic to surprise the illegal Japanese whalers! With the ability to sail at 16 knots, the Robert Hunter kept the whale killers on the run more successfully than we had done in the past.
In 2007, we officially re-named the vessel the Steve Irwin, in honor of the late Australian conservationist. Just before his untimely death, Steve stated his intention to come to Antarctica with us to defend the whales alongside Captain Watson and our brave crew. Therefore, it was fitting that he should be able to join us in spirit with his name emblazoned on the fastest and most effective whale protection ship in the world.
In the short five years since its purchase, the ship has gone on over 30 voyages and carried hundreds of dedicated crewmembers to remote places where ocean wildlife needed defending. There are untold man-hours invested in the ship in the form of maintenance, repair, and improvements. In addition to the donated labor, there have been a myriad of material gifts brought to the ships by caring supporters including parts, tools, supplies, and food of all kinds (and remember, those edible treats are the stuff that fuels our crew to do what they do best!).
The Robert Hunter, on campaign in 2006 Because Captain Watson sails the Steve Irwin and leads our campaigns from it, we call her our flagship. “The Steve” serves as our command and control center during campaigns and is also the base for our helicopter. Since our purchase of the Steve, we have built a special enclosure on the stern as well, to protect the delicate blades of the aircraft, and shelter the precision machine them the rust-inducing salt spray of the oceans – and the Japanese whaling fleet!.
That brings me back to our current dilemma! We need the Steve Irwin to be released from detention in Lerwick, Scotland so that the vessel can head to the Faeroe Islands for its next assignment. Our objective is to have the Steve connect with our trimaran vessel Brigitte Bardot (formerly the Gojira) as soon as possible and get to work intervening against the cruel pilot whale slaughter the Faeroese call “The Grind.” Once our mission there in the North Atlantic is accomplished, this work-horse of a conservation vessel will head back down to the Southern Ocean Sanctuary to once again protect defenseless whales from the ruthless harpoons of the illegal Japanese whalers.
More than ever we need our support crew – YOU – to help us overcome adversity and carry on with the mission at hand. If you can give please know that whatever amount you can afford will truly make a difference. If you have already given, thank you so much for helping us Save Our Ship. If you can’t give at this time, please consider sharing this posting with your friends, family, and circle of influence via Facebook, Twitter, and or e-mail. Your support to us is valuable in whatever form it takes – and we thank you too!
Free the Steve!
Thank you for helping us defend ocean wildlife worldwide,
Steve Roest - CEO Sea Shepherd UK and Director of Sea Shepherd UK
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Sea Shepherd Victory in Antarctica
It’s official – the Japanese whaling fleet has called it quits in the Southern Ocean, at least for this season. And if they return next season, Sea Shepherd UK will be ready to resume their efforts to obstruct and disable illegal Japanese whaling operations.
“The Nisshin Maru made a significant course change immediately after the Japanese government made it official that the whaling fleet has been recalled,” said Captain Alex Cornelissen from the Bob Barker. “She looks like she’s going home!”
The Sea Shepherd ship Bob Barker has been tailing the Japanese Nisshin Maru factory ship since February 9th making it impossible for the whalers to continue their illegal whaling operations.
“I have a crew of 88 very happy people from 23 different nations including Japan and they are absolutely thrilled that the whalers are heading home and the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary is now indeed a real sanctuary,” said Captain Paul Watson.
The Sea Shepherd ships Steve Irwin, Bob Barker, and Gojira will remain in the Southern Ocean to escort the Japanese ships northward. “We will not leave the whale sanctuary until the last whaling ship has departed,” said Gojira captain Locky MacLean.
“This is a great victory for the whales,” said Captain Watson, “but we did not do this alone. Without the support of the people of Australia and New Zealand, we would not have been able to send voyages out for seven seasons from Australian and New Zealand ports. We are grateful to Senator Bob Brown and the Australian Greens Party. We are very grateful to Mr. Bob Barker for giving us the ship that turned the tide in our efforts to force the Japanese fleet from these waters. We are grateful to all our onshore staff and volunteers, supporting members and ship crews. We are grateful to the Chilean Navy and the government of France for their support. It is a very happy day for people everywhere who love whales and our oceans.”
It’s official – the killing of whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary is over for this season and the whalers did not even take 10% of their quota. Sea Shepherd estimates that over 900 whales have been saved this year.
“It’s a great day for the whales,” said Sea Shepherd Chief Cook on the Steve Irwin Laura Dakin of Canberra, Australia, “and it’s a great day for humanity!”
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Ecotricity and Sea Shepherd working together to save the planet
Over 30% of all UK carbon emissions come from burning fossil fuels to generate electricity! The single biggest difference you can make to fight climate change is to switch to a genuinely green supplier.
Ecotricity, a supporter of Sea Shepherd, invests more per customer in building new green energy than all the other suppliers put together. Ecotricity will donate £25 to Sea Shepherd for every person that signs up.
 Visit Ecotricity's Website
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LUSH and Sea Shepherd Launch Global Anti-Shark-Finning Campaign
Alice Newstead Hung by Actual Shark Hooks in Protest of the Slaughter
Shoppers on Regents Street in central London likely got more than they bargained for. In a dramatic illustration of how sharks are caught and killed for their fins, Alice Newstead, performance artist, voluntarily had her skin pierced with actual de-barbed shark hooks and hung suspended from the ceiling in the window of one of LUSH's busiest shops for all to see.
Read the complete article
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The End of the Line, the first major feature documentary film
revealing the impact of overfishing on our oceans
Filmed over two years, we see first hand the effects of our global love affair with fish as food. The film examines the imminent extinction of bluefin tuna, brought on by increasing western demand for sushi; the impact on marine life resulting in huge overpopulation of jellyfish; and the profound implications of a future world with no fish that would bring certain mass starvation.
From left: UK Director Steve Roest,
author of "The End of the Line" Charles Clover,
and volunteer and outreach coordinator Mark Sanders-Barwick.
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July 18, 2009 - Dragon Boat Race - On the River Thames, Kingston
Sea Shepherd volunteers battled it out in races down the river to raise funds and awareness for Sea Shepherd UK. Senior Volunteer, Ivonne Buck organised the entire event and did an amazing job. Great fun was had by all with volunteers dressed as pirates and wearing Jolly Roger shirts. Everyone is keen to do the event again next year.
March 28-29, 2009 - Paul Watson Speaks at 2009 London International Dive Show
Captain Paul Watson returned to the UK and attended the 2009 London International Dive Show on March 28th and 29th. Captain Watson spoke to packed audiences of over 300 people on each day and helped Sea Shepherd UK in raising over £5000.
Captain Watson was also interviewed by Discovery channel and Diver Magazine in advance of the UK premiere of Whale Wars on April 27th.
l-r. Graham Cantellow, Carey Roest Steve Roest, Mark Sanders-Barwick,
Rob Read, Darren Collis, Dan Bowden, Ini Witzel, Captain Watson,
Ivonne Buck, Emma Webb, Vin Sootarsing, and Annabel Gardner
March 28th 2009 - Spartathlon - Athens to Sparta - 155 miles within 36 hours!
On September 26, 2008, Demetrios (Mitso) Kehayioglou ran 155 miles in order to raise money for Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
The Spartathlon is one of the most difficult international races in the world. Temperatures soared above 35 degrees celsius as Mitso raced over road, trail,
September 26th 2008 - Spartathlon - Athens to Sparta - 155 miles within 36 hours!
 On September 26, 2008, Demetrios (Mitso) Kehayioglou ran 155 miles in order to raise money for Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
The Spartathlon is one of the most difficult international races in the world. Temperatures soared above 35 degrees celsius as Mitso raced over road, trail, and mountain terrain, from sea level to 1,200 metres (3,937 feet), tracing the footsteps of Pheidippides. According to the historian Herodotus, Pheidippides was an Athenian messenger, who was sent in 490 BC from Athens to Sparta to ask for reinforcements against the might of the Persian army. We at Sea Shepherd consider Mitso's run no less than a call for reinforcements in the battle to save our oceans!
Please donate online in support of Mitsos efforts to create awareness about the plight of the oceans.
July 26th 2008 - Chinatown protests continue!
Sea Shepherd UK continued the protesting in Chinatown with Bite Back Director and founder Graham Buckingham and Executive Director Kim McCoy. Sea Shepherd UK and Bite Back have persuaded Hakkassan and 8 other Chinese restaurants in the heart of Chinatown to stop selling Shark Fin soup. Sea Shepherd UK will be back in Chinatown in September 2008.
June 4th 2008 - Paul Watson in London
Sea Shepherd UK hosted a supporters evening at Jewel Bar in London. Captain Paul Watson gave an amazing speech to 150 guests and showed the 30 years On the Front Line Film.
June 3rd 2008 - Martin Wyness in court
Martin Wyness was in court following his action at the Japanese embassy "locking on" to the first floor balcony and lowering the Japanese flag to half mast. This action was a protest against the whale slaughter conducted in the Antarctic whale sanctuary by the Japanese.
March 8th - 9th 2008 - London International Dive Show
Sea Shepherd UK had a stall at the 2008 LIDS event. The most successful UK fundraising event to date [nearly £2000] combined with many hundreds of visitors to the stand. Watch out for us at the NEC dive show on November 1st 2008 where Sea Shepherd Executive Director Kim McCoy and Development Director Alex Earl will be attending and giving seminars.
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Vegan Welsh 3,000s
"Welcome to Vegan Welsh 3,000s 2012!
We’re a group of vegan runners who’ve teamed up to run the mighty Welsh 3,000s on June 16th this year.
We’re hoping to raise £1,000 for Sea Shepherd UK, click here to find out how you can sponsor us
We’re very lucky to be sponsored by Salomon, world’s best running shoe manufacturer, to learn more about this
Veganism is a simple way of using less of the world’s resources, causing less pain and death and some may argue healthier too! To find out about veganism
Please get in if you would be able to help out on the day or before!
Thank you!
Vegan Welsh 3,000s Team :-)"
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NEW 'No Red Seas' Compilation album
All proceeds goto to Sea Shepherd
A huge thanks to Lesley Malone and all the artists on this fantastic 54 track album for all their hard work in putting together this excellent compilation album.
A preview of the album, and info on how to to buy it can be found on the album's bandcamp page here.
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Come and see us at the West Lancashire Vegan Fayre!
Whether you are a vegan, or a vegetarian or omnivore who wants to learn more about veganism, the 2012 West Lancashire Vegan Fair is an excellent place to do so, as it will be the biggest vegan event which has ever been organised in Lancashire.
After 2 successful events near Blackpool in 2009 and 2010 which were featured on BBC Radio Lancashire and in 2 local newspapers, and which were each attended by several hundred people, West Lancashire Vegan Fair moves to a much bigger venue, 2 floors of almost the whole of a building, which gives us a lot of extra space for more stalls, a separate room for a vegan cafe and children's area, and a separate room for speakers.
This year's attractions include:
50+ stalls over 2 floors
Free vegan food
Vegan cookery demos
Speakers
Free recipe booklets
Vegan cafe
Children's area
The fair takes place at Lancaster Friends Meeting House, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster, LA1 1TX on Saturday May the 12th from 11am till 5pm. The venue is next door to Lancaster Railway Station.
Website
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Sea Shepherd UK Boat Sale
The Steve Irwin is selling two of its RIBs!
These boats have been used on Steve Irwin as action, rescue, dive and work boats for the past 2 years. The VSR saw service on Operation Waltzing Matilda, Blue Rage 1, No Compromise, Blue Rage 2, Ferocious Isles. The Joker was first used on Secret Faroes campaign in 2010 to patrol the fjords and killing beaches, then was modified at sea on No Compromise and used as tender and action boat on that campaign. It also saw service in Blue Rage 2,and Ferocious Isles. Both have been surveyed and are in good working order with Sea Shepherd decals, lifting points, nav lights.
Both RIBs are currently in Southampton and are available right away. Further details can be found at ApolloDuck.com at the links below:
Joker
VSR
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Dylan and Tom undertake an epic trip for Sea Shepherd!
Please join us in wishing Dyland and Tom the best of luck on their charity Cycle/Walk for their GCSE Citizenship at Fowey Community College:
- DAY 1 - TUESDAY 3 APRIL (approx 15.2 miles)
Leave from Plymouth National Marine Aquarium 10.30-11am and walk to the Torpoint Passenger Ferry. From there, cycle to Looe - camp at West Wayland Campsite.
- DAY 2 - WEDNESDAY 4 APRIL (approx 23 miles)
Cycle from Looe to Mevagissey and camp at Pentewan Holiday Park.
- DAY 3 - THURSDAY 5 APRIL (approx 19.8 miles)
Cycle from Mevagissey to St Just in Roseland and camp at Trethem Mill Touring Park.
- DAY 4 - FRIDAY 6 APRIL (approx 29.9 miles)
Cycle from St Just in Roseland to Hayle and camp at Treglisson Touring Park.
- DAY 5 - SATURDAY 7 APRIL (approximately 17.2 miles)
Cycle from Hayle to Sennen. Then walk the remainder to Land's End.
Wow! Good luck lads!
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Sticks and stones may break our bones, but we know how to splint them!!
Sea shepherd has always been proud to state that in the 30+ years of defending our oceans directly, not a single person has been killed or injured whilst on campaign. We have always been concerned about the safety of others, as well as ourselves at sea.
This weekend, 4 Sea Shepherd UK volunteers undertook an outdoor fieldwork first aid course in Birmingham, learning how to recognise the signs and symptoms of an injury whilst in the field (or at sea), and how to deal with it until help arrives. From splinting fractured bones to clotting a serious bleed, we were taught how to deal with an emergency situation in a calming manner.
The Collins English Dictionary defines first aid as: “immediate medical assistance given in an emergency”, and as our ships can sometimes be a few days from medical assistance, the ability to treat an injury before it becomes serious is always a positive thing. Our vessel carry a medical officer on every campaign, and their experience, knowledge and quick responses are paramount to keeping the crew safe.
Stuart Marshall of Marlin Training, who is an experienced first aider with qualifications in medical and biological sciences that fall of the page, ran the course. Stuart kindly offered this course to Sea Shepherd UK, being an avid supporter and a passionate conservationist.
Working in the healthcare environment myself, this course was perfect to teach you how to deal with a serious medical emergency with limited resources in an isolated environment.
I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn first aid, especially if you plan to go on an expedition or trip. Not only is it a great medical course, but an excellent bonding and team building course too, idea for efficient ship work!
You can contact Stuart about this course by visiting http://www.marlintraining.co.uk.
Christopher Bie
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Sea Shepherd-breaking news
15th December 2011.
All three Sea Shepherd ships depart from Australia today for the Southern Ocean. The Bob Barker from Hobart, Tasmania, the Steve Irwin from Albany, Western Australia and the Brigitte Bardot from Fremantle in Western Australia. Operation Divine Wind has begun.
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Sea Shepherd Art Sale
We'd like to say a huge thanks to Godmachine, Pete Fowler, Dan Mumford, Tom Newall and Tom Hovey of The Dead Sea Mob for creating such fantastic works of art, LIVE at our fundraiser on the HMS Belfast! And especially for donating the proceeds from their sale to Sea Shepherd!
The full range can be seen below, or on their ebay page.
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Sea Shepherd UK are proud to announce..
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The Steve Irwin is coming to London!
(Volunteers needed)
August 21st 2011
Our infamous vessel, the Steve Irwin is free and coming to London!
From the 5th, to the 13th of September, our flagship the Steve Irwin, and its dedicated crew will be docked in the South Dock of London's historic West India Docklands next to Canary Wharf. Best of all, the ship will be open to the public who can take a tour of the ship!
For Sea Shepherd UK it's all hands on deck and we would like to call out to allvolunteers, both current and potential to please donate their time and energy in helping us supplying and securing the ship.
If you are avaulable to help, please get in touch with us here.
Further details on how you can help will be posted online in the coming days, so please keep an eye out here, and on our facebook page.
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Sea Shepherd's Flagship Vessel the Steve Irwin is Free at Last!
August 1st 2011
Due to the generosity of our supporters around the world, Sea Shepherd UK has raised over $735,000 to save the flagship Steve Irwin—less than two weeks after the launch of our SOS! - Save Our Ship fundraising campaign! Thank you to everyone who helped make it possible for us to fund a bond to release the vessel from detainment! Together, we will continue to make a difference.
As many of you are aware, on July 15, the Steve Irwin was detained in the Scottish Shetland Islands pending our ability to fund a bond we estimated to be in the amount of USD $1,411,692.87. The detainment was ordered by British courts due to a civil lawsuit brought against us by Maltese fishing company Fish & Fish Limited.
Thankfully, the bond was posted earlier today, and the Steve Irwin will soon depart to the Faeroes for Operation Ferocious Isles. The Steve Irwin will join the vessel Brigitte Bardot and her crew, who are already onsite defending pilot whales.
The British court set the bond today at 520,000 British pounds (approximately $846,290 USD). Once the exact amount was set, Sea Shepherd UK Director Darren Collis scrambled to the bank and set up the money transfer (to the court) with only one minute to spare—and the bond was posted!
A court date has not been set for the civil case brought against Sea Shepherd by the Maltese bluefin tuna company Fish & Fish Limited. However, Sea Shepherd is ready to battle with this company that is contributing to the demise of the imperiled bluefin. We firmly believe we caught their boats red-handed, unlawfully taking bluefin tuna from Libyan waters. We have evidence, and we look forward to our day in court against these plunderers of the ocean.
Fish & Fish has a history of using the legal system to harass their opposition. In 2007, journalist Raphael Vassallo with the publication Malta Today began writing about local tuna companies. He pointed out alleged shortcomings in import-export data, fattening rates that appeared biologically impossible, and a case of illegally re-flagged vessels. Vassallo and his newspaper were later served with a civil suit in what he described as “a mass libel legal action by all five companies” on the island — Ta'Mattew Fish Farms, Fish & Fish Tuna Ranch, Malta Fish Farms, AJD Tuna, and Mare Blu Tuna Ranch. The companies accused Vassallo of being responsible for financial losses caused by his “libelous” and “defamatory” allegations.
The charges against Vassallo were eventually dropped but the tuna companies continue to sue the newspaper because the lawsuit functions to prevent the newspaper from reporting on the issue.
Fish & Fish are trying to intimidate Sea Shepherd as well, and hoping to cripple us financially, and thus reduce our ability to oppose tuna poaching in the Mediterranean.
“We will not be unsettled or bullied by their wealth and their reputation of using litigation to silence their opposition. The bluefin tuna is on the threshold of extinction,” said Sea Shepherd Founder and President Captain Paul Watson. “We owe it to this species to fight the poachers on the sea, in the media, and in the courts. We acted justly in intervening against their illegal operation. And win or lose, we believe that the bluefin tuna—an awesome, magnificent species on the brink of extinction—is worth whatever money and effort we can muster to save it.” Sea Shepherd’s mission Operation Blue Rage will continue to intervene against bluefin tuna poachers.
“There is no court, no corporation, and no government on earth that will convince us that it is wrong to prevent the extinction of these fish,” said Captain Watson. “The economics of extinction is what we are fighting. Diminishment drives up prices and as the populations of fish in the oceans plummet, the price of frozen fish in the warehouses increases and this, the most expensive fish in the world will become even more expensive. With extinction, the frozen corpses become priceless. This is greed at the height of depravity, showing no respect for nature or regard to future generations, and we will not stand by and allow the bluefin to slip into the oblivion of biological extinction. Whatever the cost, whatever the risk, we intend to defend the bluefin tuna.”
We sincerely thank everyone that donated to help Save Our Ship. Your help enabled us to ‘Free the Steve’ and it will soon be on its way to the Faeroes. However, despite everyone’s best efforts, we had to cut into our already scarce budget to meet the bond amount and ‘Free the Steve.’ We face the ongoing costs of Operation Ferocious Isles, the transit of our vessels from the northern hemisphere to the southern for Operation Divine Wind, and finally, the cost of that Antarctic campaign as well. We are all on the same crew, despite our different roles and varying locations. We all feel that inner drive to protect innocent lives and ecosystems, and I know many of you have given what you can— but please keep your donations coming in. Without your help, we cannot continue this important work.
“We are in a war to save our oceans from ourselves,” said Captain Watson. “And if we lose, we all lose because if the oceans die, we all die – it’s as simple as that.”
Please continue to support us and keep our ships at sea, doing what they do best!
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SOS – Save Our Ship the Steve Irwin!
Update and Continuing Appeal
Steve irwin detained in Lerwick Scotland. August 1st 2011
On behalf of Captain Watson and everyone at Sea Shepherd around the globe, I offer a heartfelt Thank You to all of you who have donated to help us Save Our Ship! However, the ship is still being detained in port in Lerwick, Scotland pending our ability to fund a bond we estimate to be in the amount of USD $1,411,692.87.
How did we get here? As some of you are aware, late on the afternoon of Friday, July 15, our vessel the Steve Irwin was detained in the Scottish Shetland Islands by the British courts due to a civil lawsuit brought against us by Maltese fishing company Fish and Fish Limited. They are claiming damages for the bluefin tuna we rescued from their nets in June 2010, fish that we believe were illegally caught after the season has closed, without an inspector onboard, or any paperwork documenting the legality of their catch.
Since our initial appeal just six days ago, those of you who love marine life have given us a record number of donations in this timeframe and we are deeply touched by your outpouring of support. As of Sunday, July 24, we have estimated donations at USD $442,279.37 – this is fantastic, but we are still far from our goal.
The Westra, purchased in 2006I have worked with Sea Shepherd for 16 years now so I can’t help but get sentimental during this effort to Save Our Ship. I hope you share our love for this ship that has done so much to defend ocean wildlife. The 174-foot vessel Steve Irwin is very precious to us! In the fall of 2006, when we first found the ship in Scotland it was named the Westra – and had proudly served as a Scottish Fisheries Protection vessel. Sea Shepherd bought the ship with the help our generous supporters, renamed it the Robert Hunter (after Captain Watson’s good friend with whom he founded Greenpeace), and sailed to the Antarctic to surprise the illegal Japanese whalers! With the ability to sail at 16 knots, the Robert Hunter kept the whale killers on the run more successfully than we had done in the past.
In 2007, we officially re-named the vessel the Steve Irwin, in honor of the late Australian conservationist. Just before his untimely death, Steve stated his intention to come to Antarctica with us to defend the whales alongside Captain Watson and our brave crew. Therefore, it was fitting that he should be able to join us in spirit with his name emblazoned on the fastest and most effective whale protection ship in the world.
In the short five years since its purchase, the ship has gone on over 30 voyages and carried hundreds of dedicated crewmembers to remote places where ocean wildlife needed defending. There are untold man-hours invested in the ship in the form of maintenance, repair, and improvements. In addition to the donated labor, there have been a myriad of material gifts brought to the ships by caring supporters including parts, tools, supplies, and food of all kinds (and remember, those edible treats are the stuff that fuels our crew to do what they do best!).
The Robert Hunter, on campaign in 2006 Because Captain Watson sails the Steve Irwin and leads our campaigns from it, we call her our flagship. “The Steve” serves as our command and control center during campaigns and is also the base for our helicopter. Since our purchase of the Steve, we have built a special enclosure on the stern as well, to protect the delicate blades of the aircraft, and shelter the precision machine them the rust-inducing salt spray of the oceans – and the Japanese whaling fleet!.
That brings me back to our current dilemma! We need the Steve Irwin to be released from detention in Lerwick, Scotland so that the vessel can head to the Faeroe Islands for its next assignment. Our objective is to have the Steve connect with our trimaran vessel Brigitte Bardot (formerly the Gojira) as soon as possible and get to work intervening against the cruel pilot whale slaughter the Faeroese call “The Grind.” Once our mission there in the North Atlantic is accomplished, this work-horse of a conservation vessel will head back down to the Southern Ocean Sanctuary to once again protect defenseless whales from the ruthless harpoons of the illegal Japanese whalers.
More than ever we need our support crew – YOU – to help us overcome adversity and carry on with the mission at hand. If you can give please know that whatever amount you can afford will truly make a difference. If you have already given, thank you so much for helping us Save Our Ship. If you can’t give at this time, please consider sharing this posting with your friends, family, and circle of influence via Facebook, Twitter, and or e-mail. Your support to us is valuable in whatever form it takes – and we thank you too!
Free the Steve!
Thank you for helping us defend ocean wildlife worldwide,
Steve Roest - CEO Sea Shepherd UK and Director of Sea Shepherd UK
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Sea Shepherd Victory in Antarctica
It’s official – the Japanese whaling fleet has called it quits in the Southern Ocean, at least for this season. And if they return next season, Sea Shepherd UK will be ready to resume their efforts to obstruct and disable illegal Japanese whaling operations.
“The Nisshin Maru made a significant course change immediately after the Japanese government made it official that the whaling fleet has been recalled,” said Captain Alex Cornelissen from the Bob Barker. “She looks like she’s going home!”
The Sea Shepherd ship Bob Barker has been tailing the Japanese Nisshin Maru factory ship since February 9th making it impossible for the whalers to continue their illegal whaling operations.
“I have a crew of 88 very happy people from 23 different nations including Japan and they are absolutely thrilled that the whalers are heading home and the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary is now indeed a real sanctuary,” said Captain Paul Watson.
The Sea Shepherd ships Steve Irwin, Bob Barker, and Gojira will remain in the Southern Ocean to escort the Japanese ships northward. “We will not leave the whale sanctuary until the last whaling ship has departed,” said Gojira captain Locky MacLean.
“This is a great victory for the whales,” said Captain Watson, “but we did not do this alone. Without the support of the people of Australia and New Zealand, we would not have been able to send voyages out for seven seasons from Australian and New Zealand ports. We are grateful to Senator Bob Brown and the Australian Greens Party. We are very grateful to Mr. Bob Barker for giving us the ship that turned the tide in our efforts to force the Japanese fleet from these waters. We are grateful to all our onshore staff and volunteers, supporting members and ship crews. We are grateful to the Chilean Navy and the government of France for their support. It is a very happy day for people everywhere who love whales and our oceans.”
It’s official – the killing of whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary is over for this season and the whalers did not even take 10% of their quota. Sea Shepherd estimates that over 900 whales have been saved this year.
“It’s a great day for the whales,” said Sea Shepherd Chief Cook on the Steve Irwin Laura Dakin of Canberra, Australia, “and it’s a great day for humanity!”
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Ecotricity and Sea Shepherd working together to save the planet
Over 30% of all UK carbon emissions come from burning fossil fuels to generate electricity! The single biggest difference you can make to fight climate change is to switch to a genuinely green supplier.
Ecotricity, a supporter of Sea Shepherd, invests more per customer in building new green energy than all the other suppliers put together. Ecotricity will donate £25 to Sea Shepherd for every person that signs up.
Visit Ecotricity's Website
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LUSH and Sea Shepherd Launch Global Anti-Shark-Finning Campaign
Alice Newstead Hung by Actual Shark Hooks in Protest of the Slaughter
Shoppers on Regents Street in central London likely got more than they bargained for. In a dramatic illustration of how sharks are caught and killed for their fins, Alice Newstead, performance artist, voluntarily had her skin pierced with actual de-barbed shark hooks and hung suspended from the ceiling in the window of one of LUSH's busiest shops for all to see.
Read the complete article
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