Posted on Monday, June 9th, 2014 by Will Hagle
Whale Wars’ site gives historical context and information about the battle between a group of activists and Japanese whalers off the coast of Antarctica.
Whale Wars is a reality television series that airs on Animal Planet and profiles a crew of activists that fight against Japanese whalers off the coast of Antarctica. 
The series now also has an interactive site which offers additional content as well as further insight into Sea Shepherd Conservation Society founder Paul Watson’s mission. The site also explains the complicated history behind Watson’s efforts, as his controversial protest tactics earned him an “Interpol Red Notice.” That distinction makes Watson a possible criminal in more than 190 Interpol member nations. Watson himself is an interesting case, but the Whale Wars: Blood And Water site also gives a detailed history of whaling in general.
Whale Wars is organized into chapters, and each distinct section offers a different perspective on the overall tension between Watson’s crew and the Japanese whalers in the area. There’s also historical context regarding the conflict, with an explanation of Japan’s sea farming history as well as the U.S.’s former involvement with whaling. Although the site is essentially a marketing campaign for Whale Wars,
it actually contains several interesting, detailed pieces about the highly complex issue. The site also contains interactive videos, photos, charts and other graphics. It gives equal attention to both sides of the issue, highlighting the complete problem rather than focusing on Watson’s efforts. Even if you don’t watch the TV show, the site is worth scrolling through to learn more about an important international issue.
