Sea Shepherd Founder Paul Watson Arrested in Greenland Amidst Whaling Controversy

Click to watch the trailer of "Watson" by Lesley Chilcott.

Greenland - Greenpeace co-founder Paul Watson was arrested in Greenland for intercepting Japan’s newly built whaling ship Kangei Maru, located in the North Pacific. Upon arrival at Greenland’s capital Nuuk on his ship John Paul DeJoria, he was detained under an international arrest warrant by the local police. His organisation, the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, released a statement afterwards saying that his arrest was related to a so-called “red notice” issued over Watson’s previous anti-whaling interventions in the Antarctic region but that “this development comes as a surprise since the foundation’s lawyers had reported that the red notice had been withdrawn.” 

Known for his direct actions against whaling and founder of Sea Shepherd - a non-profit organisation with the mission to protect the world’s ocean and marine wildlife - Watson was en route to intercept Japan’s first whaling ship in more than 70 years. The Kangei Maru is a 9,300-tonne whaler that can haul 70-ton fin whales and store up to 600 tons of meat at a time and is also capable of remaining at sea for longer periods. Although Japan denied plans of resuming whaling in the Southern Ocean, the vessel's extensive range has fueled rage and concerns among many activists.

Greenland police stated that Watson would be brought before a district court to decide on his potential extradition to Japan. In May, however, Kyodo Senpaku, the owner of the Kangei Maru, dismissed concerns about the ship being used for whaling in the Southern Ocean. Spokesperson Konomu Kubo stated that since Japan left the International Whaling Commission (IWC), Southern Ocean whaling is not currently under consideration. According to them, the company plans to use the new ship for commercial coastal whaling for the next 30 years.

Watson's environmental approach includes not only physically intervening against whaling hunting and shark finning but also stands in preservation of coral reefs and sea turtles. While documenting his campaigns and turning them into the reality TV series "Whale Wars", Watson has played a crucial role in highlighting and opposing controversial whaling practices, particularly those conducted by Japan under the disguise of scientific research.

The arrest of Paul Watson underscores the ongoing conflict between international environmental activism and national legal systems. His detention in Greenland under a Japanese arrest warrant reflects the tension surrounding his anti-whaling interventions and poses significant legal and diplomatic challenges. The arrest also reignited scrutiny over Japan's whaling activities, particularly in light of new whaling vessels like the Kangei Maru, and could influence future conservation efforts and international responses to whaling practices.

Click here to watch the trailer of "Whale Nation" by Jean-Albert Lièvre.