Japan seeks extradition of Sea Shepherd founder, brought before judge in Greenland

Paul Watson is expected to appear before the Danish courts. The famous Canadian captain is presented to a judge on Thursday, August 15, who must decide whether to keep him in detention. The founder of the Sea Shepherd association, which fights in particular for the defense of whales, has been detained in Greenland since July 21. Japan is requesting his extradition so that he can be tried for his actions in Antarctica. Sometimes violent actions that do not prevent Japan from continuing to hunt whales.

On July 31, Japan even expanded the list of marine mammals targeted by its factory ships. Three species of cetaceans are already hunted by Japan: the minke whale, the Bryde’s whale and the sei whale. A list to which the fin whale must now be added. It is the second largest mammal in the world, behind the blue whale, a species considered vulnerable by the Union for the Conservation of Nature. The Japanese Fisheries Agency believes that resources are sufficient. It has therefore planned to hunt 59 in 2024. The first specimen was harpooned on August 5, a first since 2011.

However, there is a moratorium on whaling that dates from 1986. It was adopted by the International Whaling Commission to protect endangered species. Despite this suspension, three countries continued to capture them: Japan, Iceland and Norway. Three countries that have been hunting whales for centuries to consume their meat, but also to produce oil, a precious commodity at the time, particularly for lighting. Japan eventually left the International Whaling Commission and even inaugurated, on May 21, its new factory ship, the Kangei Maruwhich is over 100 meters long. A whaling ship that can carry up to 800 tons of frozen meat. The Kangei Maru set off on an expedition in May with a goal: to capture nearly 200 whales by 2024.

This is the boat that Paul Watson wanted to intercept when he was arrested. He was stopping off in Greenland. The 73-year-old captain had planned to head to the North Pacific to disrupt the activities of the Kangei Maru. Paul Watson is known for his controversial methods. Sea Shepherd’s actions often turn into naval battles with ships colliding, which is what happened in 2010 in Antarctica and earned Paul Watson an international arrest warrant. But for the environmental activist, who has been living in France for a year, these actions are the only effective way to defend whales. Today, many personalities like his friend Brigitte Bardot are calling for his release.