Case Study - Whale Defense Campaigns (Primary)
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Lesson duration is: 20 minIntroduction
This Case Study connects with our Lesson Plans: Whaling. It focuses on our whale defense campaigns to stop whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.
Instructions
This Case Study connects with our Lesson Plan: Whaling. It focuses on our whale defense campaigns to stop whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.
This Case Study takes 20 minutes to complete.
Contact: education@seashepherdglobal.org
© Sea Shepherd 2021
This Case Study takes 20 minutes to complete.
Contact: education@seashepherdglobal.org
© Sea Shepherd 2021
Instructions
Items in this lesson
Slide 1 - Slide
This lesson is provided by Sea Shepherd. Sea Shepherd was founded in 1977 and is a marine conservation organisation working to protect the oceans and marine wildlife. Sea Shepherd works globally on a range of issues impacting the oceans, running numerous direct action campaigns each year. Whaling is one area Sea Shepherd has been working to stop.
Slide 2 - Slide
During the lesson we will use these icons to identify the learning actions.
Slide 3 - Slide
Operation Zero Tolerance
In 2012 - 13 Sea Shepherd undertook its 9th campaign to protect whales in the Southern Ocean from the Japanese whaling fleet. Four Sea Shepherd vessels patrolled the waters around Antarctica to find the Japanese whaling fleet and their refueling vessel.
When the refueling vessel was located, Sea Shepherd ships took position to block the factory whaling ship the Nisshin Maru from refueling.
In 2012 - 13 Sea Shepherd undertook its 9th campaign to protect whales in the Southern Ocean from the Japanese whaling fleet. Four Sea Shepherd vessels patrolled the waters around Antarctica to find the Japanese whaling fleet and their refueling vessel.
When the refueling vessel was located, Sea Shepherd ships took position to block the factory whaling ship the Nisshin Maru from refueling.
Slide 4 - Video
Operation Zero Tolerance
When the Nisshin Maru’s captain became frustrated with his efforts to refuel being blocked, he pushed the Bob Barker into the refueling vessel by deliberately ramming her, as well as ramming the Steve Irwin and Sam Simon.
The Nisshin Maru is an 8,000 ton ship against our ships all less than 600 tons.
A dangerous situation, which caused damaged Sea Shepherd’s vessels as well as the refueling tanker.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj7yPRhk584
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MrXiv4H1W0
When the Nisshin Maru’s captain became frustrated with his efforts to refuel being blocked, he pushed the Bob Barker into the refueling vessel by deliberately ramming her, as well as ramming the Steve Irwin and Sam Simon.
The Nisshin Maru is an 8,000 ton ship against our ships all less than 600 tons.
A dangerous situation, which caused damaged Sea Shepherd’s vessels as well as the refueling tanker.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj7yPRhk584
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MrXiv4H1W0
Slide 5 - Slide
Blocking refuelling
Sea Shepherd decided to block refueling for two reasons, firstly the whalers were attempting to conduct refueling within the Sanctuary, which is illegal.
Secondly by preventing the Nisshin Maru from refuelling we could put a stop to whaling that season, because without fuel they could not continue whaling operations.
Sea Shepherd decided to block refueling for two reasons, firstly the whalers were attempting to conduct refueling within the Sanctuary, which is illegal.
Secondly by preventing the Nisshin Maru from refuelling we could put a stop to whaling that season, because without fuel they could not continue whaling operations.
Slide 6 - Slide
Dangerous actions
In addition to ramming Sea Shepherd vessels they also used their water cannon to try and flood the Bob Barker’s engine rooms and threw concussion grenades at Sea Shepherd crews.
Concussion grenades are designed to deafen and disorient but can also burn and cause other injuries if crew take a direct hit. Not exactly a smart move to be throwing concussion grenades right next to a fuel tanker! Despite the massive damage to Sea Shepherd ships the captains would not back down.
In addition to ramming Sea Shepherd vessels they also used their water cannon to try and flood the Bob Barker’s engine rooms and threw concussion grenades at Sea Shepherd crews.
Concussion grenades are designed to deafen and disorient but can also burn and cause other injuries if crew take a direct hit. Not exactly a smart move to be throwing concussion grenades right next to a fuel tanker! Despite the massive damage to Sea Shepherd ships the captains would not back down.
Slide 7 - Slide
932 whale saved
The Nisshin Maru was not able to refuel and the whaling fleet was eventually escorted out of the Sanctuary, by the Sea Shepherd vessels.
Despite their attempts to damage our ships we reduced their quota by saving 932 whales during Operation Zero Tolerance.
The Nisshin Maru was not able to refuel and the whaling fleet was eventually escorted out of the Sanctuary, by the Sea Shepherd vessels.
Despite their attempts to damage our ships we reduced their quota by saving 932 whales during Operation Zero Tolerance.
Slide 8 - Slide
Operation Relentless 2013-14
The following year, during Operation Relentless, the Japanese whaling harpoon ships made dangerous maneuvers across the bows of the Steve Irwin and Bob Barker while towing steel cables behind their ships. The cables were used to try and entangle and disable our propeller and thus disable the ships.
The following year, during Operation Relentless, the Japanese whaling harpoon ships made dangerous maneuvers across the bows of the Steve Irwin and Bob Barker while towing steel cables behind their ships. The cables were used to try and entangle and disable our propeller and thus disable the ships.
Slide 9 - Video
Dangerous manoeuvres
On 2 February 2014 for a period of 9 hours, the two Japanese catcher ships crossed in front of the Steve 45 times and Bob 41 times.
Show this video (2.39 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArE3N9StnPA
On 2 February 2014 for a period of 9 hours, the two Japanese catcher ships crossed in front of the Steve 45 times and Bob 41 times.
Show this video (2.39 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArE3N9StnPA
Slide 10 - Video
Dangerous manoeuvres
During this attack the captain of the Yushin Maru No.3 misjudged his distance to the Bob Barker and ended up ramming her causing damage to the ribs (or framework) of the bow. They also shone their spotlights and laser pointers at the bridges throughout the night trying to blind and disorientate Sea Shepherd crews, both illegal activities.
Show this video (2.40 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd_32wuQ6kY
During this attack the captain of the Yushin Maru No.3 misjudged his distance to the Bob Barker and ended up ramming her causing damage to the ribs (or framework) of the bow. They also shone their spotlights and laser pointers at the bridges throughout the night trying to blind and disorientate Sea Shepherd crews, both illegal activities.
Show this video (2.40 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd_32wuQ6kY
Slide 11 - Slide
784 whales saved
The attacks came after Sea Shepherd had located the Nisshin Maru and were undertaken specifically to distract the ships and prevent them from blocking the Nisshin. By slowing us down the Nisshin Maru was able to escape to resume whaling. Despite their desperate attempts to disable Sea Shepherd ships we still managed to stop whaling and reduce their quota by saving 784 whales during Operation Relentless.
The attacks came after Sea Shepherd had located the Nisshin Maru and were undertaken specifically to distract the ships and prevent them from blocking the Nisshin. By slowing us down the Nisshin Maru was able to escape to resume whaling. Despite their desperate attempts to disable Sea Shepherd ships we still managed to stop whaling and reduce their quota by saving 784 whales during Operation Relentless.
Slide 12 - Video
Antarctic beauty
Despite the hard work and long hours during campaigns to protect Antarctica Sea Shepherd crews get to experience the beauty of the Antarctica region.
Show this video (1.21 min) which shows beautiful marine life and scenery from Antarctica:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VljSo9yzWds&list=PLx1pnhQVtbbDnog24mzGFNy9qoaNPGb40&index=5
Despite the hard work and long hours during campaigns to protect Antarctica Sea Shepherd crews get to experience the beauty of the Antarctica region.
Show this video (1.21 min) which shows beautiful marine life and scenery from Antarctica:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VljSo9yzWds&list=PLx1pnhQVtbbDnog24mzGFNy9qoaNPGb40&index=5
Slide 13 - Video
Operation Nemesis (2017)
In early 2017 the Steve Irwin and Ocean Warrior spent over 90 days at sea chasing the Japanese whale poachers.
Having lost the International Court of Justice case, the Japanese whalers were now operating illegally. In 2016 they had reduced the whale quota to 333 Minke whales and expanded their whaling area, making the search for the whaling fleet more difficult than previous years.
The Japanese whalers also extended the length of the whaling season, meaning they stayed in Antarctic waters longer to try to obtain their quota.
Show this video (2.37 min) which shows the evidence that the Japanese whalers were whaling after the ICJ ruling:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MQdqoQcMpc&list=PLx1pnhQVtbbDnog24mzGFNy9qoaNPGb40&index=2&t=16s
In early 2017 the Steve Irwin and Ocean Warrior spent over 90 days at sea chasing the Japanese whale poachers.
Having lost the International Court of Justice case, the Japanese whalers were now operating illegally. In 2016 they had reduced the whale quota to 333 Minke whales and expanded their whaling area, making the search for the whaling fleet more difficult than previous years.
The Japanese whalers also extended the length of the whaling season, meaning they stayed in Antarctic waters longer to try to obtain their quota.
Show this video (2.37 min) which shows the evidence that the Japanese whalers were whaling after the ICJ ruling:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MQdqoQcMpc&list=PLx1pnhQVtbbDnog24mzGFNy9qoaNPGb40&index=2&t=16s
Slide 14 - Slide
Tracking whalers
This year the Japanese had access to their government’s military satellites and were able to track Sea Shepherd vessels. This meant they could see the location of the Sea Shepherd vessels and keep out of range.
This made it impossible to track them down and stop whaling. But bad weather made life difficult for the whalers and they had to constantly move to stay away from Sea Shepherd vessels. This meant they had to extend their time at sea to try and catch their quota, costing them a lot more money.
The campaign was successful in being able to document the poachers illegally taking Minke whales in the Australian Whale Sanctuary. This is the first time that the illegal activities have been documented since the International Court of Justice ruled against their Antarctic whaling operations in 2014.
This year the Japanese had access to their government’s military satellites and were able to track Sea Shepherd vessels. This meant they could see the location of the Sea Shepherd vessels and keep out of range.
This made it impossible to track them down and stop whaling. But bad weather made life difficult for the whalers and they had to constantly move to stay away from Sea Shepherd vessels. This meant they had to extend their time at sea to try and catch their quota, costing them a lot more money.
The campaign was successful in being able to document the poachers illegally taking Minke whales in the Australian Whale Sanctuary. This is the first time that the illegal activities have been documented since the International Court of Justice ruled against their Antarctic whaling operations in 2014.
Why would refueling be banned within the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary?
Slide 15 - Open question
Ask students to complete their answers to the following question using the www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom.
“Why would refuelling be banned within the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary?”
“Why would refuelling be banned within the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary?”
Slide 16 - Slide
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