Kurt Lieber

Kurt Lieber "has been an activist in Orange County since 1981. He started out by volunteering with Marine Forest Society an organization which was doing underwater experiments in kelp and habitat restoration projects. He then went on to assist with animal rehabilitation of sick and injured pinipeds and birds with Friends of the Sea Lion and Pacific Wildlife Project, respectively. From 1992 on, he has volunteered and been a crewmember with Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. During his time with Sea Shepherd he worked extensively with Captain Paul Watson, the founder and president. It was through this tutelage that Kurt formed the idea to establish an organization that would address the needs of the Southern California marine ecosystem. He founded the Ocean Defenders Alliance (ODA) with the intent of removing abandoned commercial fishing gear. This "ghost" gear continues to harm and kill marine wildlife long after it is discarded on the bottom of our beautiful underwater habitat."


 * Director, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society