Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
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19
"Up" is the number of experts who agree that the nonprofit has had the most impact in the
field. "Down" is the number of experts who disagree that the nonprofit has had the most impact in field.
Headquarters Location: Friday Harbor, WA
Founded: 1977
Mission: To end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world's oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species.
Summary
Stories
Expert Reviews
Leadership
From the Nonprofit
Leadership
Paul Watson.
Over the years, Watson has exhibited a remarkable diversity in his activism. Aside from being a co-founder of Greenpeace in 1972, Greenpeace International in 1979, and founder of Sea Shepherd in 1977, Watson was a Field Correspondent for Defenders of Wildlife between 1976 and 1980. He was a field representative for the Fund for Animals between 1978 and 1981, and…
See full bio.
Financial Data
Overhead Ratio:
15.03%
Total Revenue:
$9,818,429
From the Nonprofit
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Contact Info
Address:
216 Halvorsen Rd
Friday Harbor, WA 98250, USA
Twitter:
Story:
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society was formally incorporated in the United States in 1981 in the state of Oregon. Previous to this, the idea of Sea Shepherd was formed when Captain Paul Watson founded the Earth Force Society in 1977 in Vancouver BC, Canada. The original mandate of both organizations was marine mammal protection and conservation with an immediate goal of shutting down illegal whaling and sealing operations, but Sea Shepherd later expanded its mission to include all marine wildlife.
In 1978, with financial support from Cleveland Amory of the Fund for Animals, the Society purchased its first ship (a British sea trawler Westella) and renamed it the Sea Shepherd. Its first mission was to sail to the ice floes of Eastern Canada to interfere with the annual killing of baby harp seals known as whitecoats. In the same year, the Sea Shepherd hunted down and rammed the notorious prolific pirate whaler the Sierra in a Portugal harbor ending its infamous career as the scourge of the seas.
Since those early days, Sea Shepherd has embarked on over 200 voyages covering many of the world's oceans and defending and saving defenseless marine life all along the way.
Expert Reviews of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Evidence of Impact Summary:
Sea Shepherd has been effecitve at focusing worldwide attention and significant action on the plight of whales in particular, even while under pressure from foreign governments. Decades ago Greenpeace was the leader in this field, and they have been surpassed, at least in terms of impact, by Sea Shepherd, according to experts.See expert comments.
Organization Strengths Summary:
Sea Shepherd is good at marketing and promoting their cause. They have managed to get the Animal Planet channel to have a program called The Whale Wars which shows the whaling activities in the Anarctic in the real world. According to expert opinion, they are one of the few organizations that takes direct action but stays within the law.See expert comments.
Areas for Improvement Summary:
According to experts, Sea Shepherd could benefit from further expansion, an improved website, and more collaboration with other nonprofits.See expert comments.
Expert Comments: Evidence of Impact
Select the boxes to display the results according to expert type.
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Foundation Professionals (F)
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Nonprofit Senior Staff (N)
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Other (consultants, journalists, policy makers) (O)
Focus |
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Sea Shepherd focuses on the protection of marine mammals. | ||
Policy |
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The organization has gained much prominence in recent years due to the show "Whale Wars" on Animal Planet. This year the Japanese whaling fleet basically gave up and went home from hunting in the Southern Ocean, due entirely to the work of Sea Shepherd exposing the cruelty of their activities. Bottom line: they had a goal and they've succeeded. | ||
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This organization works through direct intervention in Japanese whaling in the Southern ocean. They track the Japanese whalers and then put their boats between the whaling ships and the whales. They have successfully disrupted the Japanese whaling to the point that their catches are way down. And they have managed to get the support of the Australian government to take a position against whaling in this area. | ||
Raising Awareness |
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They have been effective at focusing worldwide attention and significant action on the plight of whales in particular, even while under pressure from foreign governments, in particular Japan. Decades ago Greenpeace was the leader in this field, and they have been not only replaced, but significantly surpassed in terms of impact, by the Sea Shepherd. | ||
Saving Lives |
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Sea Shepherd has significantly reduced and may have even ended Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean by physically going there and preventing the Japanese fleet from whaling. They risk their lives to save whales, as well as other ocean dwellers such as tuna, sharks, dolphins, etc. | ||
Protection of Whales and Other Sea Animals |
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The very special focus on the protection of whales and other sea animals is vital. Paul and other members of the leadership are well-known and have been successful with the media. | ||
Expert Comments: Organization Strengths
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Foundation Professionals (F)
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Researchers and Faculty (R)
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Nonprofit Senior Staff (N)
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Other (consultants, journalists, policy makers) (O)
Effective Communications |
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Sea Shepherd's leadership and communications strategy are both effective. | ||
Solid Expansion |
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Their work continues: now moving into the Mediterranean to protect bluefin tuna from overfishing. They are also highly conscious of the overall damage being wrought on the oceans. | ||
Great Work with Little Resources |
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They are a good example of doing a lot with very few staff! | ||
Excellent Marketing |
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They are good at marketing and promoting their cause. They have managed to get the Animal Planet channel to have a program called The Whale Wars which shows the whaling activities in the Antarctic in the real world. They are one of the few organizations that takes direct action but stays within the law. | ||
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Sea Shepherd's marketing is great. The show "Whale Wars" has really brought the issues of continued whaling to the forefront, and Sea Shepherd is constantly promoting its work through a large network of volunteers. Their leadership is also impressive. Paul Watson is a controversial figure, to be sure, but he is extremely effective at sharing his message and garnering support for this cause. | ||
Expert Comments: Areas for Improvement
Select the boxes to display the results according to expert type.
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Foundation Professionals (F)
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Researchers and Faculty (R)
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Nonprofit Senior Staff (N)
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Other (consultants, journalists, policy makers) (O)
Better Website |
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They could use less advertising on the webpage. | ||
Expansion |
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It's time for them to take on a bigger role in protecting the oceans overall. They operate somewhat as a "fringe" organization -- outside of the mainstream, and too radical for the likes of Greenpeace -- which has served them well. But they have the ability now to be a major voice for the oceans. And they should take on that role without compromising their basic standards. | ||
Improved Internal Management |
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They would benefit greatly from improved internal management. | ||
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I have questions about the legalities of some of the actions of the organization as well as financial management and management in general. | ||
Prepare for Leadership Change |
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Like many founder-led organizations, this organization needs to have a transition plan for what will happen when Captain Paul Watson leaves. | ||
Working with other Organizations |
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Collaboration, rather than just overt criticism, with other organizations. Although I personally applaud such criticism when it is warranted. But some of the recent badmouthing of a former Sea Shepherd crew member has been in poor taste, and I think that increased collaboration with other groups with similar passion can only increase Sea Shepherd's effectiveness. | ||
Decrease Ego and Publicity |
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Their ego and publicity are too strong a driver. | ||
Not Effective Strategy |
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They somehow got a TV show. I am not sure how an organization that fundamentally flouts international law can be considered to have effective animal welfare practices. | ||
Leadership
Paul Watson
Founder
Founder
From the Nonprofit
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