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Paul Watson Canadian Activist

Paul Watson was born in Toronto, the eldest child of Anthony Joseph Watson and AnnMarie Larson, and grew up in St. Andrews, New Brunswick with two younger sisters and three younger brothers. In his childhood, he was a member of the Kindness Club. which he credits for teaching him to “respect and protect animals.” After working as a tour guide at Expo 67, the world’s fair held in Montreal in 1967, Watson moved to Vancouver.

Paul Franklin Watson is a Canadian and American environmental, conservation, and animal rights activist who founded the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, an anti-poaching and direct action group focused on marine conservation activism.

The tactics used by Sea Shepherd have attracted opposition, with the group being accused of eco-terrorism by both the Japanese government and Greenpeace. Watson is a citizen of Canada and the United States. In July 2024, Watson was detained by Danish police in Nuuk, citing an Interpol red notice from Japan. He was expected to remain in pre-trial detention until 2 October 2024.

Watson and the Captain Paul Watson Foundation have filed an appeal in the Supreme Court to overturn this decision. After several hearing extensions, it was decided on December 17, 2024, that Watson would not be extradited to Japan.