Canadian environmental activist Paul Watson was released last week after 150 days in Greenland, as authorities rejected a Japan extradition request. Watson, a founding member of Sea Shepherd, faced up to 15 years in prison for charges related to illegal entry on a ship, damages, and crew injuries.
Watson’s arrest in July was linked to his plan to intercept the world’s largest whaling ship, the Japanese vessel Kangei Maru. The activist, known for non-violent protest actions, has a history of confronting whalers and disrupting their operations without causing physical harm to crew members.
Despite being labeled an ecoterrorist, Watson defended his actions as opposing criminal activities rather than mere protest. He highlighted the success of non-violent strategies in shutting down illegal operations of major corporations like Monsanto and BP, emphasizing the need for better enforcement of ocean conservation regulations.
Watson, who plans to continue his environmental activism, expressed concern over the misuse of the term ecoterrorism to discredit dissenting voices. He criticized the broad application of the term to target those who challenge established practices, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between legitimate environmental protection efforts and criminal behavior.