Dr. Bronner’s and Sea Shepherd Germany Launch Campaign to Protect Harbour Porpoise Populations in the Baltic Sea

Germany’s Leading Ocean Protection Organization Unveils First Ship, the MV Emanuel Bronner

June 7, 2017

BREMEN, DE – Last Thursday, June 1, global top-selling natural soap and bodycare brand, Dr. Bronner’s, with its European headquarters in Dusseldorf, joined ocean conservation organization, Sea Shepherd, to hold a press conference and public party in Bremen to launch Sea Shepherd Germany’s first ship, the MV Emanuel Bronner. During the event, Sea Shepherd Germany announced its partnership with Dr. Bronner’s, who donated the vessel, to defend wildlife in the Baltic Sea this summer—with the specific aim of protecting the harbour porpoise, which is native to the waters of Northern Germany and are frequently caught as by-catch in fishing nets.

“Sea Shepherd Germany is thrilled to have the support of Dr. Bronner’s and to be able to partner with a company that has a deep understanding of the consequences of human actions on the planet,” says Anne Kämmerling, Director of Sea Shepherd Germany.

The day was filled with positive programming for the public at Museum Harbor, with Anne Menden—a German artist, actress, and animal advocate—moderating presentations by local and global leadership from both organizations. They explained the effort of preparing the boat to protect the harbour porpoise and other wildlife, with video and inspired conversation about the importance of Sea Shepherd Germany’s Baltic Sea campaign.

Between June and September, the crew on the MV Emanuel Bronner will patrol different locations in the Baltic Sea, record illegal nets, and report suspicious or illegal activity to the appropriate authorities. The nets are a deadly danger for the porpoise in areas which should originally provide protection for the endangered animals. With less than 500 of one of two Baltic Sea harbour porpoise populations remaining, Sea Shepherd is demanding an immediate and absolute ban on “gill net/static net” fishing.

“As a maker of organic and fair trade soaps, the conservation of biodiversity and the protection of marine environments is particularly important to us. We appreciate and are inspired by the authentic and direct action-oriented approach of Sea Shepherd. We are very pleased to support ocean protection efforts off the coast of Germany,” says Axel Rungweber, Managing Director of Dr. Bronner’s Europe.

More than 1,000 Sea Shepherd supporters in attendance received a free bottle of Dr. Bronner’s soap with a limited edition label, specifically designed for the effort. The public also had the opportunity to spray and be sprayed with environmentally friendly soapy foam near Dr. Bronner’s iconic fire truck.

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Michael Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner’s, officially christened the MV Emanuel Bronner just prior to a free concert by German-rock band, Jupiter Jones, near the boat dock. Attendees also enjoyed an unplugged performance by musician Esther Kim, of Die Toten Hosen, who shared the stage with artist Beatrice Thomas to close out the evening with a song inspired by the campaign to save the harbour porpoise.

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Sea Shepherd is an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization. Founded in 1977, their mission is to end the habitat destruction and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans, in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and marine species. Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary, to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of the world’s delicately balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations. For more information on Sea Shepherd, please visit: https://www.sea-shepherd.de or https://www.seashepherdglobal.org.

Dr. Bronner’s is a family business committed to honoring the vision of founder Emanuel Bronner by making socially and environmentally responsible products of the highest quality, and by dedicating profits to help make a better world. The company’s commitment to animal and environmental protection and progressive business practices is part of the company’s mission to put into practice the principles that inform the philosophy printed on the company’s iconic soap labels written by founder Emanuel Bronner. The company has grown to become the top selling natural soap maker in North America and a major brand worldwide. Based on 2015 sales, a bottle of Dr. Bronner’s soap was sold on average every 3 seconds.

For more information on Dr. Bronner’s, please visit: https://www.drbronner.de or https://www.drbronner.co.uk.