Whale Wars: Sea Shepherd battles with Japanese whalers

The Steve Irwin chases the Yushin Maru. A Discovery Channel crew followed the 2007-2008 campaign through icy Antarctic waters and filmed multiple clashes between activists and whalers: a capsizing, a kidnapping of two crew members – Benjamin Potts and Giles Lane – by one of the Japanese ships, and the gunshot inflicted upon Paul Watson, allegedly fired from one of the Japanese crew, according to Sea Shepherd. The Japanese fell nearly 500 whales short of the season's quota, because of its efforts claim Sea Shepherd Photograph: Discovery Channel

An inflatable capsizes in icy Antarctic waters Photograph: Discovery Channel

Sea Shepherd crew give chase to Yashin Maru Photograph: Discovery Channel

Crew members aboard Japanese harpoon whaling ship, the Yushin Maru No 3, gesture towards Sea Shepherd activists while using an LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device) sonic weapon developed for the military Photograph: Adam Lau/Adam Lau

A minke whale is loaded on to the Nisshin Maru factory ship under the watch of the Sea Shepherd helicopter Photograph: Discovery Channel

Japanese coastguards launch concussion grenades at Sea Shepherd crew Photograph: Discovery Channel

Sea Shepherd crew hurl objects at whaling ship Photograph: unknown/Discovery Channel

Sea Shepherd crew member Laurens De Groot hurls a bottle of butyric acid (rotten butter) at Japanese harpoon whaling ship, the Yushin Maru No 1, as the Sea Shepherd helicopter flies overhead. The Yushin used water cannons to keep Sea Shepherd boats at bay in New Zealand territorial waters north of the Ross Sea off Antarctica on Febuary 2 2009, as part of Operation Musashi, its 2008-2009 campaign to end what it deems to be illegal whaling operations in Antarctic waters Photograph: Adam Lau/Adam Lau

Sea Shepherd crew members are hosed by water cannons from Japanese harpoon whaling ship, the Yushin Maru in the Ross Sea off Antarctica Photograph: Stephen Roest/Steve Roest

Sea Shepherd crew members are hosed by water cannons from Japanese harpoon whaling ship, the Yushin Maru No 1 on February 5 in the Ross Sea off Antarctica Photograph: Adam Lau/Adam Lau

Steve Irwin has a close encounter with the Kaiko Maru, a spotter ship in the Japanese whaling fleet. Sea Shepherd crew members throw butyric acid (an organic, non-toxic stink Photograph: Eric Cheng/Eric Cheng - ECHENG.COM

Giles Lane gives the thumbs up after successfully landing on the deck of the Yushin Maru Photograph: Discovery Channel

Giles Lane and Ben Potts are captured by Japanese crew Photograph: Discovery Channel

Paul Watson removes bullet allegedly fired at him by Japanese whalers Photograph: Discovery Channel

The Sea Shepherd helicopter follows the Yushin Maru Photograph: Discovery Channel

Steve Irwin navigates between two large tabletop icebergs in Antarctica Photograph: Eric Cheng/Eric Cheng - ECHENG.COM

Iceberg valley in Antarctica Photograph: Discovery Channel

Steve Irwin navigates through swells in Antarctica Photograph: Eric Cheng/Eric Cheng - ECHENG.COM

The Steve Irwin as seen through the arch of an iceberg as it sails through the Southern Ocean Photograph: Adam Lau/Adam Lau

A mother and calf humpback whale swim underwater Photograph: Discovery Channel

Humpback whale swimming underwater Photograph: Discovery Channel

Humpback whales Photograph: Discovery Channel Photograph: Discovery Channel