Today, the government of Japan formally requested the extradition of ocean conservation hero, Captain Paul Watson, from his current detention in Greenland.
Captain Watson was detained in Greenland on the 21st of July when his whale defending vessel docked in Nuuk. The basis for his detention was a confidential red notice issued by Japan for bogus political reasons. If extradited, Paul Watson could face up to 15 years in Japanese prison for his actions to protect whales from the Japanese whaling fleet in Antarctica for decades.
This confirmation that Japan has requested the formal extradition of Captain Paul Watson coincides with the rogue whaling nation adding endangered Fin whales to their target species list as part of their whaling operations in the North Pacific.
“The Bob Brown Foundation condemns and is outraged at Japan’s decision to not only hound one of the world’s great ocean conservationists but to commit to slaughtering an endangered species, the Fin whale, at the same time,” said Alistair Allan, Antarctic and Marine campaigner at the Bob Brown Foundation.
“Denmark, who provides jurisdiction over Greenland, is choosing to side with those that wish to destroy the ocean and the great whales, not protect it if they agree to extradite Paul to Japan.”
“It will be a scandal and a shame for the world to see if Copenhagen doesn’t immediately reverse course and free Paul Watson. Japan must stop,” said Alistair Allan.
“Our Foundation has launched a public campaign calling on Australians to write to Prime Minister Albanese and the Danish Embassy. Prime Minister Albanese should intervene and call for Paul Watson to be free, if Australia cares about whales and doesn’t support whaling, then they must take action for the Whale Defender,” said Alistair Allan.
