Sea Shepherd Captain Paul Watson Arrested In Portugal

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by Michael dEstries June 23, 2009
Categories: Animals, Causes
Tags: .

Sea Shepherd Captain Paul Watson received an unexpected surprise upon visiting Portugal this week for the International Whaling Commission (IWC) Conference: he was arrested.

According to news agencies, a 30-year-old warrant had been issued against Paul Watson for the 1980 ramming by Sea Shepherd of the pirate whaling ship the Sierra. The Australian director of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Jeff Hansen, told ABC News that Mr. Watson was released after four hours of questioning. “Paul had lengthy discussions with the police in northern Portugal and they determined that the warrant had actually expired in 2008 so there was no valid reason for them to hold him,” he said.

Sea Shepherd’s most public campaign to date has been their annual pursuit of the Japanese Whaling fleet, as documented in Animal Planet’s Whale Wars series. Watson said he was surprised by Portugal’s move to arrest him — especially since he’s visited the country time and time again with no problems. “But it was like last year in Chile, I was hassled a bit…,” he said. “Chileans told me it was because Japan had put in a complaint and they wanted to question me about what I was doing at the International Whaling Commission meeting. So I’m not really quite sure if Japan was behind this.”

Thanks to Cid for the tip!


Categories: Animals, Causes
Tags: .

About Michael dEstries

Michael has been blogging since 2005 on issues such as sustainability, renewable energy, philanthropy, and healthy living. He regularly contributes to a slew of publications, as well as consulting with companies looking to make an impact using the web and social media. He lives in Ithaca, NY with his family on an apple farm.

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  • Whatever

    First I emphatically disagree with the Japanese position on whaling. It’s simply not justifiable.

    However, in the real world, a world Paul Watson doesn’t live in, there are other ways of addressing the problem such as removing the economic incentive. The problem is that Watson is a zealot and completely blinded by unbridled ego and his unwavering, uncompromising position and belief that what he’s doing is right.

    In fact, he probably is technically right but his methods are certainly controversial, to say the least. At the end of the day when Watson stipulates “the whales are our clients” he really has to look in the mirror and say “Am I really helping or am I the actual problem.” Just like a CEO who’s a poor fit – Bob Nardelli at Home Depot (hell, Nardelli in any leadership position, given his character), Watson should really take a different approach.

    However, that’s not going to happen. He’s alienated virtually everyone so he (and his organization) cannot reach out to other organizations for operational help. Let’s go down the list – Greenpeace: nope, he got kicked out. Any oceanic research institute – nope, they want nothing to do with him. Any government agency – nope, they want him in jail for his reckless seamanship, his constant reinterpretation of international maritime law, etc.

    Yes, the whales need to be protected in open water. But Watson isn’t the man to do that job. He’s simply too far gone down the path of being a zealot that he’s easily discounted in circles that actually matter, that could help and that could eventually pressure the right governments and industries to make a significant impact.

    Keep watching Whale Wars. It makes for good television (to a point) and it raises awareness.

    But the Sea Shepards really aren’t doing much except burning up lots of diesel running around looking for Japanese ships. Not very efficient and certainly not a very good use of your charitable dollar. Put it elsewhere.

    • Tim

      Well written, totally agree on this one. I don’t support whale hunting, on the contrary, but the Sea Shepherd needs to know where to draw the line. What they’re doing now is terrorism, nothing else. Also, them making the show doesn’t really improve the objectivity on their fights. Pure propaganda.

  • http://www.frontend.pt Helder Cervantes

    Paul Watson IS THE MAN!!!

    I’m from Porto, Portugal, and was very surprised to discover this piece of news. I mean, arrested? Here??? LMAO!!!!

    I hope you kick some serious jap butt next year. I’m eager to see the earthrace in action.

    Keep at it!!!!

  • Sparky Jones

    If you’re operating legally on the open oceans of the world and another ship comes up next to you and starts trowing bottles of acid at your crew and vessel, DON’T YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO SHOOT THOSE PIRATES DEAD? (wink, wink, Japan…get my drift?) America’s Navy did it legally just a few months ago.

  • Ward

    Sparky, the problem is that guns are not allowed in the Antarctic territories, due to the Antarctic Treaty. Hence, the reason neither Japan nor Australia sends their navies to settle the matter. Both countries are signatories to the Antarctic Treaty, so must adhere to its rules.

    Ironically, the treaty pre-dates the ‘whale sanctuary’, and supersedes its rules. Specifically, the ‘absolutely no whale hunting’ rule. The whale sanctuary cannot usurp the original Antarctic Treaty’s provisions, one of which states that countries will not interfere with any scientific research. Yes, I know the Japanese ‘research’ is a sham, but officially it is recognized as research by the IWC, so they are not breaking any international laws. Since Australia set up the sanctuary, the Japanese are only breaking AUSTRALIAN law, which is why they cannot come into any Australian ports.

    The biggest problem out there is that people think that the IWC is supposed to stop whaling altogether. IWC stands for International Whaling Commission, not International ANTI-Whaling Commission. Simply being a member of the commission states that you are fine with the concept of whaling, as long as it is controlled. It doesn’t really matter, though; the IWC is not a government, therefore cannot create laws that Interpol can enforce. The IWC is really more like a club, and countries are not required to join (or stay in). Ask Iceland.

    Because of these things, the Japanese technically are not breaking any international laws or regulations, since the IWC grants them quota permits. I’m not saying that the Japanese are ethically/morally right, just legally secure. They are not poachers, nor are they pirates, and they are not conducting an illegal hunt.

    What they are doing is conducting ‘research’ that is protected by the Antarctic Treaty; research that is built on shaky ground. Invalidate their research grounds, and you can have their permits revoked. Without the permits, they will be unable to harvest anything inside the Antarctic Circle, as only research vessels are allowed there by mandate of the Treaty.

    It seems too easy, but it would certainly work. The Sea Shepherd group waves around the UN Charter like a streetcorner preacher, but it carries little weight. If they got the Antarctic Treaty on their side, they would be able to legally stop the hunt, as the Australian navy would then be able to go in and chase away the ships. Unfortunately, the Sea Shepherds would first have to adopt non-violent methods of diplomacy in order to bring about that change, and I seriously doubt that is going to happen.

  • http://www.veganjapan.net herwin

    that is very interesting but there are a few points that need correction.
    the research excuse is largely only accepted by the japanese themselves, most other scientists don’t validate that excuse. Since the research excuse is not internationally accepted, the japanese are not legally in the arctic waters killing whales. They are merely tolerated because of their economic powers.

    Sea Shepherd is a classic example of non violence in action, in the true spirit of Gandhi. Rather then inflict injuries on their “enemies” the whalers, they choose to put their own bodies in harms way in order to protect whales.
    Sea Shepherd is supported by the Dalai Lama who recognizes their peaceful efforts for a better planet and protection of life on this planet. Here you can read his support in writing.
    http://www.seashepherd.org/support-us/featured-supporter.html

    last but not least, i highly doubt if the IWC gives quota to the japanese. It is the japanese themselves who give themselves quota. If i am wrong please put a link with correct information that the IWC gives quota to the japanese.

    the assumption that if Sea Shepherd steps back and eventually the australian navy could “chase the japanese away” is unlikely to happen and everybody knows that.

  • SONIA bECCHERI

    Thanks to

    Paul Watson

    Pete Bethune
    AND ALL SEA SHEPARD

    JUNE:

    11 – The DAY´s victory of whales

    tHANKS

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