Tell Denmark to Release Captain Paul Watson

Every year, over 1,000 whales are violently hunted and killed, even though many of the species at risk from whaling are endangered. Although the majority of the world’s nations have outlawed this cruel and unnecessary industry, a few bad apples continue to value profit over conservation and compassion.

The three countries that still participate in this violent practice are Norway, Japan, and Iceland.

Norwegian, Japanese, and Icelandic whalers use imprecise explosive-tipped harpoons to slaughter these majestic ocean mammals, who frequently die slowly from badly aimed blows over a period of hours. Pregnant female whales are also often the victims of this vicious slaughter.

One man who has dedicated his life to seeking justice for these beautiful ocean animals, Captain Paul Watson, is now in danger of being permanently silenced. The government of Japan has resorted to underhanded tactics to have Captain Watson arrested for using nonviolent interventions to try and save whales from slaughter by Japanese whalers in the North Pacific.

Captain Watson has recently been arrested in Greenland due to a confidential international warrant issued by Japan. He is facing possible extradition to Japan, where he could be sentenced to 15 years in prison. This is a politically motivated act at a time when  Japan is looking to expand its unethical whale hunting operations.

Japan uses legal loopholes, claiming they kill whales for “scientific research” to get away with slaughtering endangered species, and now they are using similar devious tactics to punish an environmental hero for exposing their cruelty and corruption.

Captain Paul Watson was one of the original founders of Greenpeace, the founder and former head of the marine conservation and anti-poaching organization Sea Shepherd, and a lifelong environmental activist. He is also a loving husband and the father of two young children who should not grow up without their dad.

Please join Species Unite in calling on the Danish Minister for Justice, Peter Hummelgaard, to do the right thing and release Captain Paul Watson. A hero for marine life who deserves his freedom!