Latest news with #CaptainPaulWatsonFoundation
Int'l Business Times
4 days ago
- General
- Int'l Business Times
Why Krill Conservation is Vital for Preserving the Whale Ecosystem: Exploring Captain Paul Watson's Synergistic Mission
Over the years, there has been a significant rise in initiatives and efforts aimed at safeguarding marine biodiversity. From whales to penguins, and sharks to turtles, these animals have long commanded public attention and protection, with many preservation campaigns that have risen to protect them from being hunted. Although many have succeeded in their efforts, a deeper issue remains unresolved beneath the surface. This threatens the very foundation of marine life: the overfishing of Krill, a tiny crustacean often forgotten yet indispensable to the survival of preserved species such as whales, penguins, and seals. As krills are overfished in large numbers, their impact reverberates through the depths of the Southern Ocean, which is the biggest krill fishery in the world. As these species are being harvested at unsustainable rates for the development of health supplements, protein superfood, and farm animal feed, many animals within the Antarctic ecosystem have become deprived of sufficient fodder for their survival. "Large factory vessels are picking up krill in the millions, taking food out of the mouths of whales and penguins, and they're being rendered into protein sources for supplements and livestock. This is extremely harmful to marine life," says renowned marine wildlife conservationist Captain Paul Watson, who is taking active measures to preserve the marine ecosystem and whale life. As the founder of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, Watson has long stood at the frontline of ocean defence and is now bringing his passion and commitment to preserve the heart of the Southern Ocean. He has dedicated over 50 years of his life to protecting the whale ecosystem, executing several successful missions to halt whaling operations in regions all around the world. "We cannot claim to care about whales while allowing the food they rely on for survival to be stolen from beneath them," Watson states. "There's no moral difference if you're bringing a harpoon or starving it by depleting its food supply, you're still killing the whales. They need to be protected, and to protect them also means to protect what feeds them." Krill is the cornerstone of the Antarctic ecosystem, feeding everything from blue whales, the largest animals to ever exist, to seals, penguins, and countless seabirds. Despite their tiny size, their ecological role is massive. Rich in omega-3, protein, and vitamin A, it's not hard to decipher why krill has become the next touted supplement, and has been left at the mercy of large-scale industrial fishing. However, as they hold such a pivotal role in the marine ecosystem, removing them from the equation can bring a collapse to the fundamental food web, and this is the very issue that Watson aims to tackle. With the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, in collaboration with Sea Shepherd France and Brazil, Watson has launched a new mission to stop the overfishing of krill before the consequences spiral further out of control. Their vigorous method, or as Watson likes to call it, "aggressive non-violence method," involves putting a stop to krill fishing using vessels to intervene as the fishing operations take place. The Captain Paul Watson Foundation Through his aggressive non-violent intervention using vessels, coming from Australia and Brazil, Watson aims to garner global attention by leveraging his tactics to shed light on the industrial exploitation of the krill population. And this is not just a protest. "Our initiatives are totally in compliance with the regulatory authorities that allow for NGOs to intervene to protect endangered species and threatened habitats," Watson explains. "We're stopping illegal or harmful operations without causing injury to anyone." There's also a deeper environmental link that gave Watson an additional impetus for his Krill preservation missions. Krill feed on phytoplankton, which have declined by nearly 40% since 1950 . This degradation in the marine food chain has cascading effects not only across the entire marine ecosystem but also for life on earth. In fact, Phytoplankton produce around 70% of the world's oxygen supply, making krill protection even more pivotal. For many, krill may not be the face of marine conservation, but they are the foundation of it. As they continue to diminish in exponential numbers, it calls for the need to raise a louder voice, not just for the big titans of the ocean, but also for the small ones. With the mission commencing its operations by the end of the year, preserving krill is just a stepping stone towards their larger mission. "This isn't just about saving tiny crustaceans," Watson emphasizes. "It's about preserving an entire ecosystem. When you save krill, you're saving whales, penguins, and many more aquatic animals out there. You're saving the ocean, and that's the ultimate goal behind what we do."
The Herald Scotland
23-06-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
'Wee' Scottish isle used to launch anti-plastic drive
Acclaimed photographer Mandy Baker and 'climate influencer' Laura Young, known as 'Less Waste Laura', were among 36 volunteers who visited the island, which is home to Scotland's second oldest lighthouse. Meanwhile, the inaugural Project One Wave autumn summit is scheduled to take place in Glasgow in October. Seashell Clothing and the Captain Paul Watson Foundation are two of the groups behind the campaign, which aims to clean up Scotland's oceans - before it's too late. David Brown, co-owner at Seashell Clothing said: 'We have started a movement here in Project One Wave that is gathering real momentum, as the willingness and sheer want to get involved in this project by a rapidly growing number of individuals, organisations and businesses alike is hugely encouraging and it is giving us the perfect platform to explore ideas together, whilst amplifying a positive message of collective ongoing efforts to tackle marine pollution here in the UK.' Rob Read, Chief Operating Officer of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK, also said: 'This should be a top priority. In the west of Scotland alone, local fishing boats lose over 600 tonnes of gear every year, nets, ropes and lines that become deadly traps. If we don't act now, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.''
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Water turns red with blood as Faroe Islanders carry out annual whale and dolphin slaughter
A Faroe Islands cove was awash with the blood of dolphins and pilot whales on Friday after the first animals of the summer were butchered in a gruesome Viking tradition. The grindadrap, or 'grind' for short, is a 1,000-year-old Faroese custom which sees hunters encircle the animals with their fishing boats in order to drive them into a shallow bay. The terrified animals are then beached, allowing fishermen to brutally slaughter them with knives on the shore, with locals then feasting on their meat and blubber. Every summer, shocking images of the bloody hunt show the macabre ritual, which is strongly condemned by outraged animal rights defenders who consider the practice barbaric. The practice at Leynar, Streymoy, is believed to have seen around 200 pilot whales killed. Volunteers from the Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK say some were left struggling on rocks with women helping to bring in the kill due to a lack of men for the sheer number of animals beached. They described it as a 'disturbing scene in a high income nation' with almost as many children as adults present. The call to the slaughter went out just as school ended, with parents apparently bringing their offspring to watch after lessons. Rob Read of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation said: 'When children are taught to watch instead of protect, the cycle of violence continues unchecked. 'This isn't tradition - it's desensitization. We must break the chain.' At the same time as the massacre, King Frederik X, Queen Mary, and Princess Josephine of Denmark are on an official visit to the Faroe Islands, arriving with the royal yacht Dannebrog and engaging in traditional ceremonies in Tórshavn and Koltur. 'The juxtaposition is stark: a royal historic tour, national costumes, public speeches - and on the same day, a violent medieval maritime practice using powerboats and modern tools,' a spokesperson for the foundation added. Each year, an average of around 700 long-finned pilot whales are caught, alongside varying numbers of Atlantic white-sided dolphins. Kids: Volunteers from the Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK described it as a 'disturbing scene in a high income nation' with almost as many children as adults present Female long finned pilot whales can live up to 60 years, whilst males can live up to 45 years. Like all cetaceans - whales, dolphins and porpoises - long-finned pilot whales play a vital role in ocean ecosystems, helping to keep the oceans alive and thriving. This is a major reason volunteers have been lobbying to end the grind - which kills hundreds of whales every year. Since 1948, the hunt has been regulated by the Faroese authorities, required its participants to be trained, involved modern boats and communications, and been supervised by police. Gruesome: Some of the animals were left struggling on rocks with women helping to bring in the kill due to a lack of men for the sheer number of animals beached Protests: The call to the slaughter went out just as school ended, with parents apparently bringing their offspring to watch after lessons Supplies: The Faroese state that the hunt provides free food for their community Legacy: Many Faroe Islanders consider eating whales to be an important part of their history Rob Read said: 'When children are taught to watch instead of protect, the cycle of violence continues unchecked' The practice dates back to the ninth century, and many Faroe Islanders consider eating whales to be an important part of their history. The Faroese also state that the hunt provides free food for their community. But campaign groups have labelled the hunt 'barbarous' and say it is no longer just about feeding the islanders, with excess meat and blubber sold off. The Faroe Islands are a self-governing archipelago forming part of the Kingdom of Denmark in the North Atlantic between Norway and Iceland.
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
The sea of blood: Water turns red as Faroe Islands carry out annual dolphin slaughter while children watch
A Faroe Islands cove is today awash with the blood of dolphins and pilot whales after the first animals of the summer were butchered in a gruesome Viking tradition. The grindadrap, or 'grind' for short, is a 1,000-year-old Faroese custom which sees hunters encircle the animals with their fishing boats in order to drive them into a shallow bay. The terrified animals are then beached, allowing fishermen to brutally slaughter them with knives on the shore, with locals then feasting on their meat and blubber. Every summer, shocking images of the bloody hunt show the macabre ritual, which is strongly condemned by outraged animal rights defenders who consider the practice barbaric. Today's practice at Leynar, Streymoy, is believed to have seen around 200 pilot whales killed. Volunteers from the Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK say some were left struggling on rocks with women helping to bring in the kill due to a lack of men for the sheer number of animals beached. They described it as a 'disturbing scene in a high income nation' with almost as many children as adults present. The call to the slaughter went out just as school ended, with parents apparently bringing their offspring to watch after lessons. Rob Read of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation said: 'When children are taught to watch instead of protect, the cycle of violence continues unchecked. 'This isn't tradition - it's desensitisation. We must break the chain.' At the same time as the massacre, King Frederik X, Queen Mary, and Princess Josephine of Denmark are on an official visit to the Faroe Islands, arriving with the royal yacht Dannebrog and engaging in traditional ceremonies in Tórshavn and Koltur. 'The juxtaposition is stark: a royal historic tour, national costumes, public speeches - and on the same day, a violent medieval maritime practice using powerboats and modern tools,' a spokesperson for the foundation added. Each year, an average of around 700 long-finned pilot whales are caught, alongside varying numbers of Atlantic white-sided dolphins. Female long finned pilot whales can live up to 60 years, whilst males can live up to 45 years. Like all cetaceans - whales, dolphins and porpoises - long-finned pilot whales play a vital role in ocean ecosystems, helping to keep the oceans alive and thriving. This is a major reason volunteers have been lobbying to end the grind - which kills hundreds of whales every year. Since 1948, the hunt has been regulated by the Faroese authorities, required its participants to be trained, involved modern boats and communications, and been supervised by police. The practice dates back to the ninth century, and many Faroe Islanders consider eating whales to be an important part of their history. The Faroese also state that the hunt provides free food for their community. But campaign groups have labelled the hunt 'barbarous' and say it is no longer just about feeding the islanders, with excess meat and blubber sold off. The Faroe Islands are a self-governing archipelago forming part of the Kingdom of Denmark in the North Atlantic between Norway and Iceland.
