Kelly Slater speaks to Deborah about dolphin slaughters and his support of Sea Shepherd
Photo: Deborah Bassett
"The thought of killing dolphins is something most people from our country can't imagine. It's akin to eating a koala in Australia, bald eagles in Alaska and Manatees in Florida. They are such interesting and intelligent animals. They aren't needed as food, are potentially very unhealthy due to mercury levels, and at this point we have traversed the knowledge necessary for 'scientific purposes' of killing them. If you travel the world year 'round, you come in contact with many different cultures. You start to realize that people do things you never thought possible or necessary yet somehow make sense to them for either traditional reasons or social pressures or whatever. I believe dolphin killings provide everyone the chance to sit back and become aware of what impact their lives have on the world around them. I am highly against the killings because of my affinity for oceanic creatures. I don't understand the need for it or the idea behind it but I do know that when the cameras are on these 'fishermen' they are not proud of the 'job' they're doing and don't want any of it to be made public. There is an inhumanity to this (as there is to war) but there is a conscience in every one of those guys who is doing it. I hope for change in a lot of things happening in my own life and in the world around me and this one is at the top. Hopefully, with enough visibility of, and education to, the people involved, there can be a complete stop to this ridiculous practice/tradition." ~ Kelly Slater
Deborah: As the world's number one pro-surfer, you spend countless hours in the ocean each year. Have you had any pivotal experiences with specific marine life that you would like to share?
Kelly: I've ridden waves with countless dolphins and helped assist many
beached whales when I was younger. I've saved a few pelicans and seagulls
from fishing lines and that sort of thing.
Deborah: Is there any one topic that speaks to you most as far as ocean
preservation is concerned?
Kelly: The whaling I have a hard time with. Such graceful, peaceful
mammals. I couldn't imagine killing something like that. We don't
know the levels of intelligence and communications they have, we're
only scratching the surface on it. There are so many other things to
eat and I'm sure a lot of that money and resources would be better put
to use growing food somewhere.
Deborah: When did you first become involved with Sea Shepherd and what was the inspiration behind your decision to support their endeavors?
Kelly Slater: I became aware of them through some of the work that Rasta's (Dave Rastovich) done in the last few years. The direct work they do confronting people and educating the public about all the issues concerning ocean mammals and pollution.
Deborah: How do you feel about Paul Watson's
sometimes controversial direct methods of action?
Kelly: Well, it is in your face kind of stuff. Sometimes you have to fight
the good fight and sometimes you have to take part with people to
understand their purposes and methods. We are all, afterall, interconnected together on some level and that understanding does have to find its way from within the issue to rectify it in the end. I really respect the balls he has though to
just face things head on and not be worried about his safety before
that of his sea creatures.
Deborah: Do you have any future plans to join Sea Shepherd on a campaign at sea?
Kelly: I would absolutely love to!
Deborah: How would you encourage other surfers to get involved in the
efforts to preserve our oceans for future generations?
Kelly: Education is key for all of us about what really is still happening with
current day shark, dolphin and whale killings and ocean pollution and
effects of that in all sealife. I think what Dave Rastovich has done with Surfers for Cetaceans and The Cove is great. He's brought awareness and visibility to a lot of
people around the world. The issues have ben raised and can't be
ignored now even more so.
Deborah: Anything else you would like to add?
Kelly: Just a big thanks to Paul Watson and all of the crew for the work you're doing all
over the world. The time and commitment you've all put forth have
put a huge dent into things we'd like to see not exist.
Deborah: Mahalo Kelly!
Kelly: Thanks Deborah.
Deborah: As the world's number one pro-surfer, you spend countless hours in the ocean each year. Have you had any pivotal experiences with specific marine life that you would like to share?
Kelly: I've ridden waves with countless dolphins and helped assist many
beached whales when I was younger. I've saved a few pelicans and seagulls
from fishing lines and that sort of thing.
Deborah: Is there any one topic that speaks to you most as far as ocean
preservation is concerned?
Kelly: The whaling I have a hard time with. Such graceful, peaceful
mammals. I couldn't imagine killing something like that. We don't
know the levels of intelligence and communications they have, we're
only scratching the surface on it. There are so many other things to
eat and I'm sure a lot of that money and resources would be better put
to use growing food somewhere.
Deborah: When did you first become involved with Sea Shepherd and what was the inspiration behind your decision to support their endeavors?
Kelly Slater: I became aware of them through some of the work that Rasta's (Dave Rastovich) done in the last few years. The direct work they do confronting people and educating the public about all the issues concerning ocean mammals and pollution.
Deborah: How do you feel about Paul Watson's
sometimes controversial direct methods of action?
Kelly: Well, it is in your face kind of stuff. Sometimes you have to fight
the good fight and sometimes you have to take part with people to
understand their purposes and methods. We are all, afterall, interconnected together on some level and that understanding does have to find its way from within the issue to rectify it in the end. I really respect the balls he has though to
just face things head on and not be worried about his safety before
that of his sea creatures.
Deborah: Do you have any future plans to join Sea Shepherd on a campaign at sea?
Kelly: I would absolutely love to!
Deborah: How would you encourage other surfers to get involved in the
efforts to preserve our oceans for future generations?
Kelly: Education is key for all of us about what really is still happening with
current day shark, dolphin and whale killings and ocean pollution and
effects of that in all sealife. I think what Dave Rastovich has done with Surfers for Cetaceans and The Cove is great. He's brought awareness and visibility to a lot of
people around the world. The issues have ben raised and can't be
ignored now even more so.
Deborah: Anything else you would like to add?
Kelly: Just a big thanks to Paul Watson and all of the crew for the work you're doing all
over the world. The time and commitment you've all put forth have
put a huge dent into things we'd like to see not exist.
Deborah: Mahalo Kelly!
Kelly: Thanks Deborah.
