A battle is being waged on the frigid Antarctic seas in the name of whales.

An idea that’s drastically evolved from a gimmicky slogan for novelty t-shirts, saving the whales is a job the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society regards with absolutely selfless solidarity.

Since it’s maiden voyage in 1979, the Sea Shepherd has been patrolling international waters defending the destruction of protected marine habitats in attempt to thwart illegal hunting and prolong the survival of dwindling populations of seals, sharks, and most notably, whales.

Just back from his recent Antarctic anti-whaling campaign, Captain Paul Watson talks of his experience.

We have to be very cautious in these campaigns.  The Japanese whalers are just out of control.  They were hitting us with high-powered water cannons, nuts and bolts, and pieces of lead and strangely… golf balls.  We can’t even defend our own lives without being criticized by our governments for being too, so-called extremist.

Now a reality television series called Whale Wars, Captain Watson and his ecological pirate ship can be seen on Animal Planet.

For our full interview with Captain Watson, click here.

Have a look at some more eye-popping photos from aboard the Steve Irwin below.

Photos courtesy of Adam Lau/Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.