Who We Are

Sea Shepherd is an international direct-action ocean conservation movement.

Our Mission
To defend, conserve and protect our oceans.

Sea Shepherd is an international, non-profit marine conservation organization that campaigns to defend, conserve and protect the world’s oceans.

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Why We Fight
Threats to the health of our ocean ecosystems

Our oceans and its inhabitants are dying from illegal fishing, plastic pollution and the effects of climate change. Poachers plunder marine life sanctuaries with impunity, and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing goes unchecked in the high seas far from public scrutiny.

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Our Approach
Direct action to enforce laws protecting our oceans

International and national laws protecting the world’s oceans exist but are often not enforced. Sea Shepherd uses direct action to fill this enforcement void on the high seas, and works with national authorities to tackle illegal fishing in sovereign waters.

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History
The History of Sea Shepherd

Sea Shepherd was founded in 1977 by Paul Watson, one of the original members of Greenpeace. Since its grassroots beginnings it has grown into an unstoppable global movement with independent groups established in over 20 countries.

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Our Fleet
The Sea Shepherd Global Fleet

Sea Shepherd Global's fleet – currently consisting of twelve vessels – plays a crucial role in our mission to defend, conserve and protect marine life in direct-action campaigns around the world, from Antarctica to Africa. Sea Shepherd is currently the world's largest private navy. 

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