Captain Paul Watson: Oceanic Conservation & Biocentrism

This article contains several key highlights of the interview. For the full interview, watch the entire podcast!

Captain Paul Watson was ambushed and arrested in Greenland

Danish police detain Environmental hero and star of “Whale Wars” on international arrest order from Japan.
NUUK, GREENLAND – JULY 21, 2024 – On the morning of Sunday, July 21st, Captain Paul Watson, co-founder of marine conservation Greenpeace, founder of Sea Shepherd and the Captain Paul Watson Foundation (CPWF), was arrested upon arrival in Nuuk, Greenland.

Captain Watson, on board his 72-meter flagship the M/Y JOHN PAUL DEJORIA stopped in Greenland with 25 volunteer crew to refuel, en route to the North West Passage as a part of the CPWF’s Operation Kangei Maru, a mission to intercept Japan’s newly built factory whaling ship Kangei Maru in the North Pacific.

“We were here, and arrested Paul due to an international arrest order from Japan”, stated the leader of the Danish federal police boarding party at the site of the arrest. The crew were given no further information.

The arrest is believed to be related to a former Red Notice issued for Captain Watson’s previous anti-whaling interventions in the Antarctic region. Japan’s Antarctic research whaling program JARPA was declared illegal by the International Court of Justice in 2014.

“We’re completely shocked, as the Red Notice had disappeared a few months ago. We were surprised because it could mean that it had been erased or made confidential. We understand now that Japan made it confidential to lure Paul into a false sense of security. We implore the Danish government to release Captain Watson and not entertain this politically-motivated request”, stated Locky MacLean, Ship Operation’s Director for CPWF.

Operating in breach of the ICJ ruling for several years, Japan eventually ceased Antarctic high-seas whaling in 2016, and now only hunts whales within its territorial waters. CPWF believes Japan plans to resume high-seas whaling in the Southern Ocean and North Pacific as early as 2025, and the reactivation of the Red Notice against Captain Watson is politically motivated and coincides with the launch of a newly built factory whale processing vessel.

In Nuuk, over a dozen Danish police and SWAT team members boarded the M/Y John Paul DeJoria as soon as it made port. After a handcuffed Captain Watson was led off of the ship, he was taken to the local police station. The crew and Foundation have no means of contacting him and have had no further news. At the time of writing, Watson remains in custody and it is unknown whether Denmark will allow Mr. Watson to be extradited to Japan.”
~ Captain Paul Watson Foundation

For more on the recent developments regarding Captain Watson’s arrest, please visit the following links:
– BBC News
– Captain Paul Watson Foundation
– France24
In this episode of “Paws & Reflect,” we dive into Captain Watson’s enduring fight for marine conservation, his philosophy, and the future of his efforts.

A Legacy of Direct Action

Captain Watson’s journey into marine conservation began in a fishing village on the east coast of Canada. From a young age, he was involved in protecting marine wildlife. His passion for conservation led him to become the youngest founding member of Greenpeace in 1972. In 1977, he founded the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and in 2022, he established the Captain Paul Watson Foundation.

Throughout his career, Captain Watson has been known for his aggressive non-violence approach—a strategy he developed in 1977. This method involves aggressive intervention without causing harm, a principle that has remained constant in his work. Despite facing opposition and controversy, Watson’s tactics have saved tens of thousands of marine animals, including whales, seals, and dolphins.

Transition to the Captain Paul Watson Foundation

The transition from Sea Shepherd to the Captain Paul Watson Foundation was driven by internal conflicts and differing visions for the future. Captain Watson left Sea Shepherd after being told he was too controversial and confrontational. Determined to continue his mission, he founded the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, ensuring that the principles of aggressive non-violence and direct action remained at the forefront.

The foundation focuses on the protection and defense of marine life, opposing illegal exploitation such as whaling and illegal fishing. Captain Watson’s new organization aims to carry on the work that Sea Shepherd started but with a renewed emphasis on direct intervention and avoiding mainstream compromises.

Upcoming Campaigns: Operation Ice Storm and Operation Bloody Fjords

Captain Watson shared exciting details about two upcoming campaigns:
– Operation Ice Storm will target Icelandic waters, aiming to block and stop two Icelandic whaling ships. The goal is to prevent Christian Lofsson, a wealthy and influential figure in Iceland, from continuing his whaling activities, which are largely opposed by the Icelandic public.
– Operation Bloody Fjords will see the Captain Paul Watson Foundation landing crews in the Faroe Islands to intervene against the killing of pilot whales and dolphins. The campaign aims to get in the way of these illegal activities and draw global attention to the plight of these marine animals.

Challenges and Strategies

One of the biggest challenges in marine conservation is fundraising. Ships and campaigns are expensive, and raising the necessary funds is a constant struggle. However, the actual implementation of strategies and interventions is something Captain Watson is well-versed in. His extensive experience in blocking and intercepting illegal activities has proven effective in saving marine wildlife.

Captain Watson’s foundation also collaborates with other conservation groups, including Sea Shepherd France and Sea Shepherd Brazil. Despite legal battles with Sea Shepherd Global, the foundation continues to work with dedicated partners to protect marine ecosystems.

The Importance of Biocentrism

A significant part of Captain Watson’s philosophy is the concept of biocentrism—the idea that all living organisms have inherent value and are interconnected within the biosphere. This perspective challenges anthropocentrism, which places humans at the center of importance. Captain Watson emphasizes that our survival depends on living in harmony with other species and recognizing the ecological intelligence of all living beings.

Final Thoughts

Captain Paul Watson’s unwavering commitment to marine conservation serves as an inspiration for current and future generations of activists. His message is clear: the fight to protect our oceans is ongoing, and every individual has the power to make a difference. By supporting organizations like the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, volunteering, or simply raising awareness, we can all contribute to preserving the delicate balance of our marine ecosystems.

For more information on how to support Captain Watson’s efforts, visit the Captain Paul Watson Foundation website and consider becoming a monthly donor. Your contributions can help sustain vital campaigns and protect marine life for generations to come.