WHALE WARS will chronicle the Sea Shepherds' 2012 "Zero Tolerance" mission that is in peril even before it gets started. Watson is forced to step down as the Sea Shepherds' leader just as their fledging armada leaves for the Southern Ocean. He has been the target of two Interpol "red alerts" (which seek the location and arrest of wanted persons with a view toward extradition) and a ruling from the United States Ninth District Circuit Court that provides strict limits on how the Sea Shepherds can "interact" with Japanese whaling activities. Because of this, Paul must remove himself from his leadership role with the Sea Shepherds. Everyone on board the boats is rattled by the news - now questioning how his/her important mission and the environmental organization itself can succeed without his presence.