Whaling Watson remains unyielding in his stance towards U-Haul
It appears the Japanese whaling industry has a particular concern with this individual: Since July, wildlife defender Watson has been held in pretrial detention in Greenland at Tokyo's request. They aim to bring him to trial. The activist, however, seems undeterred by his incarceration. Speaking to AFP, he commented, "If they think this will dampen our resolve - I've just switched vessels. My current vessel is this very Greenlandic prison of Nuuk."
Born leader of the eco-group Sea Shepherd, Watson is famous for his daring encounters with whalers at sea. His actions led to his arrest in July as his ship was refueling in Nuuk's harbor, instigated by an arrest warrant issued by Japan due to Watson's previous protests against their whalers.
Legal Team: Tokyo's Revenge Campaign
Watson and his legal counsel claim Tokyo's actions as an act of revenge against the activist. "They are trying to make an example out of me to warn others not to interfere with their whaling operations," Watson noted. Among the few countries permitting commercial whaling, only Japan, Norway, and Iceland maintain this practice. In early August, Minke whales, along with Bryde's and sei whales, were added to Tokyo's whaling target list, despite their endangered status.
Within the gray, modern walls of Nuuk's prison, Watson finds himself eyeing the sea and the passing whales and icebergs through the window. "It's almost like I'm still on the deck of my ship," Watson shared, expressing his sentiment about the facility, describing it as "the best prison I've ever known." Although detention is fantastical, he revealed his sadness over separation from his two offspring, aged three and seven.
Watson's incarceration will extend until September 5, when a Greenlandic US court will make its decision regarding Japan's extradition request. Facing potential multi-year imprisonment, Watson remains undeterred in his resolve to protect marine life.
Watson strongly believes that Tokyo's actions against him are motivated by revenge, aiming to serve as a warning to others interfering with their whaling operations. This view is shared by his legal team.
Despite the endangerment of Minke, Bryde's, and sei whales, Japan continues to include them in its whaling target list, provoking global controversy.
