TCA: ‘Whale Wars’ on the high seas

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Rancid butter is plentiful aboard the Sea Shepherd, the ship of an organization of the same name devoted to stopping illegal whaling. They need it for chucking at the Japanese whaling boats to ruin their haul.

The crew members, present for the Animal Planet session Thursday during the Television Critics Assn.’s Press Tour, are the stars of a new series called “Whales Wars,’ premiering in November. They said they weren’t afraid to put their lives on the line to protect the whales. Capt. Paul Watson says that attitude is changing minds in places like Norway and Japan, where whaling is still a common practice.

“When they see people willing to risk their lives to protect them, they think about what they’re doing,” he said.

Kim McCoy, who serves as a quartermaster on the ship, said that as a result of the group’s aggressive and unconventional tactics, she feels “the market for whale products is diminishing.” But illegal whaling continues in part because “a lot of it is customary for them. And I think [it’s also] not wanting to be told what to do.”

Second mate Paul Hammarstedt said that he got involved with the group because of its effectiveness. “Once we show up, the killing stops,” he said.

“We’d love to be put out of business,” McCoy said.

--Denise Martin