Paul Watson,  Canadian-American environmental, conservation and animal rights activist, founder of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, was detained on July 21 while refueling his ship in Greenland, and now faces the grave risk of being extradited to Japan under a 2012 arrest warrant for "conspiracy to board."

It is important to underscore that Captain Watson’s actions were aimed at preventing illegal whaling activities, which are in direct violation of the 1986 international moratorium on whaling, as enforced by the International Whaling Commission (IWC). This arrest warrant is seen by many as an abuse of legal instruments to suppress legitimate and peaceful activism aimed at enforcing international law.

As a lifelong lover of the ocean, this issue strikes at the heart of my very love for nature and its well-being. To witness the actions perpetuated by the Japanese authorities, particularly the warrant for Paul Watson, a man who has been tireless in his defense of marine life, is both distressing and unjust. Even more alarming is the continued practice of whaling and discharging nuclear sewage into the ocean, these actions are harming innocent marine life and our precious ecosystems. Despite a global moratorium on commercial whaling, Japan continues its hunt with little regard for international sentiments (International Whaling Statistics, 2020). Furthermore, Greenpeace reports reveal that the nuclear waste discharge is causing a rise in radiation levels, endangering myriad life forms and disrupting delicate ecological balance (Greenpeace Nuclear Discharge Report, 2019). In the interest of the ocean, its inhabitants, and us who derive so much from it, we strongly urge the Japanese government and Mr Fumio Kishida to reconsider its stance on this matter and to withdraw the warrant on Paul Watson, halt whaling, and cessation of nuclear waste discharge immediately.

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