Ocean Conservationist Paul Watson Arrested In Greenland, Facing Extradition to Japan

“Captain Paul’s actions have always been in the interest of upholding international laws and ensuring the health of the oceans,” said big-wave surfer and environmentalist Greg Long. “Despite doing the work of governments, he is being treated as an international criminal, for defending sea life and the ecosystem we all depend on to survive. The people who defend our life support system should be celebrated, not arrested!”

Here is an explainer of why the 73-year-old former Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd activist was arrested, what could happen next, and what you can do to help.

Who Is Paul Watson?

The dual American and Canadian passport holder was one of the influential early members of Greenpeace in the early 1970s. In 1978, following the purchase of the Sea Shepherd vessel, he founded The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. It advocated a more direct approach to environmental action.

The Japanese government has labeled the organization eco-terrorists for “impeding their whaling research.” We could add more quote marks around the term whaling research. Japan, along with Norway and Iceland, continue to pursue their whale hunting ambitions. This year a new, $48 million whaling “mothership” called the Kangei Maru was launched in Japan.

Is Watson Still With Sea Shepherd?

Since 2016 Sea Shepherd increasingly co-operated with national governments in assisting anti-poaching activity in national territorial waters and marine reserves. Watson’s opposition to the government collaboration approach saw him removed from the board of directors of Sea Shepherd Global in 2022.

He started the Captain Paul Watson Foundation and a competing Sea Shepherd group called Sea Shepherd Origins. The French, Brazilian and UK chapters of Sea Shepherd have recently pledged their allegiance to Watson, rather than the Global group.

Related: Sea Shepherd Founder Arrested in Germany

Why Was He Arrested?

Watson was arrested and handcuffed on an international warrant in Greenland, a territory of Denmark on July 21, 2024. The charges included accomplice to assault and ship trespass. They stem from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s alleged boarding of the Japanese whaling ship Shonan Maru 2 in Antarctic Waters in February 2010.

Watson will be held in Nuuk, Greenland until 15 August while Denmark considers his potential extradition to Japan. He was denied bail on the grounds of being a flight risk.

Why So Long?

In 2010 Sea Shepherd Activist Peter Bethune boarded the Shonan Maru from a jetski in a bid to detain its captain after the group’s speedboat was destroyed in a collision with the Shonan Maru. He was seized by the whalers and eventually arrested in Tokyo on charges of illegal boarding. He was given a two-year sentence, suspended for five years.

A warrant to arrest Watson as an accomplice of Bethune was issued in 2010 and an Interpol warrant was filed in 2012 and remained active, a spokesperson for the Japan Coast Guard said. However, Watson said that the Interpol red notice had disappeared months ago and was part of the Japanese government's ploy to arrest him.

What Is the Potential Penalty?

The statutory penalty for such crimes ranges from up to three years in prison for vessel trespassing and to up to 15 years for assault, according to Japan’s Ministry of Justice. French President Emmanuel Macron’s office has asked Danish authorities not to extradite Watson, who has lived in France for the past year. A spokesperson from the French branch of Sea Shepherd said that Watson was “doing well” and had “no regrets”.

Related: Study Shows Ocean May Be Spitting Toxins Back at Us

Why Was He in Greenland?

Watson’s vessel, the John Paul Dejoria, had stopped in Greenland to refuel on its way to intercept Japan's factory whaling ship, the Kangei Maru, in the North Pacific. In 2019, Japan withdrew from the International Whaling Commission and resumed commercial whaling.

Last year, it launched the 9,300-ton, $47m Kangei Maru whaling “mothership.” The new vessel’s range of 9,000 miles has fuelled suspicion that Japan is again preparing to slaughter the mammals far from its shores.

What Can Be Done?

Under #FREEPAULWATSON there is a petition asking the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, to release him from custody. Another French online petition urging Macron to demand Watson’s release had 670,000 signatures in eight days.

“Please share this far and wide and demand the immediate release of Captain Paul Watson,” concludes Long. “As a devoted father and passionate environmentalist, he has stood for the oceans for decades, and now he needs us to stand up for him.”

Related: Patagonia Launches Petition To Protect 30% Of Australia's Ocean By 2030