Peter Hammarstedt
25 years old, Sweden Animal DefenderBio:
Born in Sweden and raised in the United Kingdom, Peter joined the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society as soon as he was old enough to submit an application. A fervent advocate for the rights of animals, Peter believes that in their capacity to suffer, animals are our equals. In his five years with Sea Shepherd, Peter has been held hostage by Ecuadorian fishermen; physically attacked by sealers; assaulted and arrested by the Canadian Coast Guard (twice); involved in a confrontation which included the side-swiping of an illegal whaling ship; been rammed by another; and pulled up countless miles of fishing longline. In the war to defend life in the oceans, this Swede is far from neutral.