‘Whale Wars’ on Discovery Channel

Follow the Sea Shepherds’ Whale Defense Campaign to stop whalers in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.

On Jan. 6, 2010, the Shonan Maru 2 collided with the Ady Gil in the Southern Ocean, destroying the vessel and leaving Captain Pete Bethune and his crew no choice but to abandon their sinking boat.

Several weeks later, Bethune silently slipped under the cover of darkness through the frigid Antarctic waters on a jet ski and boarded the Japanese whaling vessel. He attempted to make a citizen’s arrest, claiming the whaling vessel ran over the Ady Gil, nearly killing him and his crew, and to deliver a bill for US$3 million for the damages he claims the Japanese captain is responsible for. Instead of receiving the reparations he sought, he was taken into custody and brought to Tokyo where it was reported that he was being held on charges of trespass, obstructing the passage of a vessel, carrying a knife and damaging property.

Bethune’s story is only one of many dramatic moments during the new season of Animal Planet’s WHALE WARS, premiering every Monday at 10:00 p.m. starting April 2. Encores every Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Friday at midnight (12:00 a.m.) and 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

WHALE WARS 3 follows the Sea Shepherds’ Whale Defense Campaign, dubbed Operation Waltzing Matilda in honour of Australia’s unofficial national anthem, on their three-month journey to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary to stop whaling that the group claims is illegal and exploits a loophole in international ocean law – a loophole which the whalers claim makes their activities legal. As in previous campaigns, the conflict between Sea Shepherd and the whalers grows more intense with each engagement – each pushing the other to the limit to fight for what they believe in.

For the past several years, Captain Paul Watson and his Sea Shepherd Conservation Society crew take to the high seas to attempt to stop Japanese ships from hunting whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. The series documents the ongoing battles in the icy Antarctic waters as Watson and his eclectic group of international staff and volunteers – labelled activists and heroes by some, eco-pirates by others – take a hardline approach to eradicate whaling and what they view as ocean-law violations. Highlighting the controversial whaling trade and the tactics that the Sea Shepherds deploy to attempt to cripple it, the series follows the group’s three-month expedition across the Antarctic waters as they engage in an environmental showdown with millions of dollars at stake.

The team of oceanic crusaders join forces and set out to risk it all to save the whales – even if that might mean not all crew members make it back to port together.

WHALE WARS 3 episode descriptions:

Surrounded by Spies

As whaling season begins in the Antarctic, the Sea Shepherds embark on another dangerous campaign. With three vessels all launching from a different port, Captain Paul Watson now faces the daunting task of being the admiral of a fleet.

Crossing Danger

After repeated attempts to outrun and engage his pursuers, Captain Paul Watson makes a dangerous decision. Meanwhile, the Sea Shepherd’s speedboat, Ady Gil, has returned to dock to repair their damaged radar.

From Hell’s Heart

The Sea Shepherds have been relentlessly followed by the whaling reconnaissance vessel for two weeks. They find themselves in a full-on engagement on the high seas as the captain orders a massive butyric acid bottle attack on his nemesis.

Stealth Attack

The Sea Shepherd’s stealth boat, the Ady Gil, launches a sneak attack on the Japanese whaling reconnaissance vessel in an effort to break free of the tail and find the rest of the whaling fleet.

The Thrill of the Chase

After nearly a month of searching, the Sea Shepherds have finally found their ultimate target, the world’s only whale factory ship, the Nisshin Maru.

Sliced in Two
At the bottom of the world, a collision has just devastated one of the Sea Shepherds’ vessels. The crew on the other vessel stand helpless on their deck, watching in horror as a Japanese vessel barrels through the Sea Shepherds’ prized speedboat.

Revenge is Mine

In the aftermath of the devastating loss of their stealth vessel, the Sea Shepherds have returned to the campaign with renewed passion and intensity. Now the two remaining ships are back on the hunt for the Japanese fleet.

Ready to Snap

With low oil and drinking water, and a damaged helicopter, the Sea Shepherds’ hunt for the Japanese whaling fleet has been brought to a halt. While on their way back to port, the radar shows two colossal storms that they can’t avoid.

A Bloody Trail

As the Sea Shepherds approach the Nisshin Maru, they are suddenly surrounded by four whaling vessels. Suddenly, one of the Japanese vessels moves in dangerously close and as the deck crew quickly braces themselves, the ships violently collide.

Zero Hour

The Sea Shepherds refuse to be bullied by the Japanese fleet even though they’re outnumbered. The deckhands repel over the side of the ship to assess the damage from the collision and realize that there is a gash in the steel hull and water is pouring in.

Fire in the Sky

This is the first coordinated multi-boat engagement of the campaign and the crews of both ships develop innovative new tactics to harass the whalers.

Vendetta
The Sea Shepherd vessels get caught in a major storm and fear they may lose the Japanese factory vessel.  Meanwhile, Pete Bethune analyzes helicopter footage of the Shonan Maru #2 – the Japanese vessel he plans to board.

To the Ends of the Earth

Pete Bethune boards a Japanese whaling vessel under the cover of darkness.  As the sun rises over the horizon, he attempts to present himself to the captain. Later, Sea Shepherd volunteers reflect on what they call their most successful campaign yet.

From Pirate to Prisoner

This special episode features Peter Bethune as he shares his experiences where cameras could not follow – on board the ship that took him into custody, held him for nearly a month on board and led to his detainment in Japan for months.