In this edition of "You've Got," "Whale Wars" stars Shannon Mann and Chad Halstead discuss their work with the ocean conservancy organization Sea Shepherd. The group, according to their website, aims "to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world's oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species" by using "innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary." According to Halstead, "Sea Shepherd is unique in itself because it's the only one that's actually going out and physically intervening with a lot of illegal activity."
The organization recently garnered attention when their founder, Paul Watson, was arrested and subsequently released from a German jail after Costa Rica claimed he endangered a fishing boat and crew in 2002. Only a few months earlier, a Sea Shepherd boat called the Bob Barker disrupted a Japanese fishing vessel with lasers and flares, hoping to prevent the ship from further whaling near Antarctica.
Although their tactics may seem extreme to some, Mann and Halstead believe the message of Sea Shepherd is direct and simple: respect and preserve the oceans and the life it supports. "I think a really important thing on living sustainably is first educating yourself and understanding where your food comes from and what the cost is,” says Halstead. “Not necessarily what you pay, but maybe what does the environment pay for the things that you consume."
Mann chimes in, noting that "even by simply not eating that can of tuna, it makes an extreme difference. As Paul [Watson] says, 'If the oceans die, we die.'”
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