Sea Shepherd Founder Arrested Over Japan’s Whaling Policies

Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson, founder of Sea Shepherd and the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, was arrested in Greenland and faces extradition to Japan. Japan, which resumed commercial whaling in 2019, has issued an international arrest warrant for Watson, causing concern among conservationists over the fate of marine mammals. The Japanese government considers whale meat consumption as part of its cultural heritage.

The arrest took place as Watson’s ship docked in Nuuk, Greenland, with authorities citing an international arrest warrant issued by Japan as the reason for his arrest. Watson’s foundation has called the request for his extradition politically motivated and has implored the Danish government not to comply with it. The Danish Ministry of Justice will make the final decision on whether Watson will be extradited to Japan.

Commercial whaling has been practiced in recent years only by Iceland, Norway, and Japan, according to the International Whaling Commission’s catch list. The situation has sparked debate and raised concerns among environmentalists about the future of whale populations. The extradition request for Watson has drawn attention to the ongoing controversy surrounding whaling practices and conservation efforts.

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