Activist Protecting Oceans through Actions, Hails from France

In the realm of marine conservation, Sea Shepherd, a renowned organisation founded by Paul Watson in 1977, has been making waves for its bold approach to enforcing international law at sea. Over the years, the group has been committed to preventing illegal actors from unsustainably exploiting marine life, often employing aggressive direct action.

However, as the organisation has grown in size and influence, it has faced internal conflicts, particularly around the debate of whether to collaborate with mainstream actors or maintain its independence and commitment to direct action. This change has not been welcomed by everyone, leading to conflict within the organisation.

Lamya Essemlali, the founder and president of Sea Shepherd France, is a key figure in this debate. Drawn to Sea Shepherd due to its anti-institutional approach, Essemlali has emerged as a staunch advocate of direct action. In 2005, she was on her first mission with Sea Shepherd in the Antarctic Ocean.

The organisation's methods have been effective in bringing attention to their cause, with many experts agreeing that Sea Shepherd's past vigilante tactics were instrumental in highlighting maritime crime. Some of their most notable actions include ramming ships, scuttling unmanned whaling vessels, and throwing rotten butter aboard a boat to slick up the deck.

Sea Shepherd's campaigns and reality television show, Whale Wars, provided a front row seat to these dramatic events. During their anti-whaling campaign, the presence of Sea Shepherd boats resulted in Japanese whalers catching only 19.1% of their self-appointed quota of fin and minke whales between 2010 and 2011. Teale Phelps Bondaroff, an independent academic, believes there is a causal impact between what Sea Shepherd did and Japan's dropping whale numbers.

However, as the organisation has gained more funding and volunteers, it has transformed from a vigilante group to a partner of government authorities. Sea Shepherd works with the national coast guards in countries like Peru, Gabon, and Liberia, where they are authorised to undertake many of the same responsibilities as state actors.

This shift towards collaboration has not been without controversy. Some members worry that the group is losing its legitimacy, serving as a greenwashing tool for government institutions. Lamya Essemlali, resisting the global body's shift towards mainstream tactics, has remained a staunch advocate of direct action.

Over the past year, Sea Shepherd Global has shifted its approach to work with government and research institutions. This decision has sparked a court case between Lamya Essemlali and Sea Shepherd Global, with the Judicial Court of Paris set to decide who has the right to display the Sea Shepherd logo.

The debate over direct action is taking place in a context of increasing urgency to protect the planet and its oceans. Scientists warn that institutions responsible for protecting the planet and its oceans are not doing enough to avert irreversible ecological damage. Climate change is wreaking havoc, leading to more extreme and unpredictable weather patterns and events.

As the world grapples with these challenges, Sea Shepherd's rift presents a rare case study and forum for debate about the benefits and drawbacks of direct action and collaboration with governments. The organisation's history, from its founding to its present-day struggles, serves as a testament to the complexities and controversies inherent in marine conservation efforts.