a fight for the preservation of the oceans

The arrest in Greenland of Paul Watson, founder of the NGO Sea Shepherd, has sent shockwaves around the world. Known for his actions to protect cetaceans from whaling, particularly in Japan, Paul Watson is an iconic environmental activist.

Paul Watson: an activist with an impressive career

Paul Watson, born in 1950 in Canada, is one of the most emblematic figures in the fight to protect the oceans. Co-founder of Greenpeace and founder of Sea Shepherd, he dedicated his life to the preservation of marine wildlife. Sea Shepherd, founded in 1977, is known for its direct and often controversial methods, such as intercepting and disrupting whaling operations. Paul Watson was finally arrested on July 21, 2024 in Greenland, following an international arrest warrant issued by Japan. This mandate stems from his numerous actions against Japanese whalers, whom he accuses of illegal and barbaric practices.

Paul Watson was arrested by Danish police while his ship was stopping in Greenland. Japan is seeking his extradition, accusing him of several offences, including ramming Japanese whaling ships. The Danish justice minister said he was awaiting a formal extradition request from Japan, to be submitted within 30 days of the arrest. The Sea Shepherd founder faces up to 15 years in prison in Japan, where the conviction rate for alleged crimes exceeds 95 percent.

International support for his release

Paul Watson’s arrest has sparked outrage around the worldAn online petition, supported by figures including Stéphane Bern and Pierre Niney, has collected more than 400,000 signatures demanding his release. French President Emmanuel Macron has also reportedly intervened with Danish authorities to prevent his extradition. The activist’s supporters have stressed the importance of his fight for ocean preservation and are calling for a mass mobilization to prevent his extradition to Japan.

Sea Shepherd activists and other environmental organizations are calling not only for the release of Paul Watson but also for greater recognition of the need to protect the oceans. They denounce whaling, still practiced today by Japan, Norway and Iceland, despite international bans. They also call for a review of international policies on the protection of marine wildlife and stricter sanctions against countries that violate these regulations.

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Illustration – @ guano