After decades of campaigning to protect the world’s oceans, Captain Paul Watson – founder of Sea Shepherd and co-founder of Greenpeace – has been arrested in Nuuk, Greenland. According to Danish authorities, who made the July 21 arrest on board the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, they were following an international warrant issued by Japan, related to Watson’s anti-whaling activities in the Antarctic more than a decade ago.

The celebrated ocean activist now faces the possibility of extradition to Japan, where he could serve 15 years behind bars. Groups including Sea Shepherd, the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, and the environmental organisation Parley for the Oceans are standing up against this extradition request, and have already rallied numerous EU politicians and famous figures – from zoologist Jane Goodall, to filmmaker, historic ocean explorer (8 deep ocean expeditions) and marine tech innovator James Cameron – to call for his immediate release.

The 73-year-old Canadian activist has been described as a “global environmental hero” for his sustained fight to maintain the health of the world’s oceans and uphold international law. This fight can be traced back to demonstrations in the late 1960s. Sea Shepherd – a direct action group focused on monitoring and impeding suspected poaching vessels – was initiated in 1978. 

“This is not just a movement to protect whales and sharks, seals and fish, it is a movement to protect humanity and all other species on this planet,” Watson has said. “If the oceans die, we die.” His work in Antarctica was carried out in opposition to illegal whaling. He also reportedly faces an arrest warrant for intervening in illegal shark finning in Costa Rica.

“Despite doing the work of governments, [Captain Paul Watson] is being treated as an international criminal, for defending sea life and the ecosystem we all depend on to survive,” says Parley for the Oceans in a statement. “The people who defend our life support system should be celebrated, not arrested.”

Designer and Parley founder Cyrill Gutsch was inspired to found Parley after a 2012 meeting with Watson. Speaking to Dazed, he adds: “What message does it send the next generation, when you arrest the people who find the courage to protect whales and stand up for the future? The world is watching Denmark and calling for justice – for our friend Captain Paul Watson and for the life he defends that holds this planet in balance.”

A #FreePaulWatson petition has also been launched by the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, with tens of thousands of signatures calling on Mette Frederiksen, the Danish prime minister, to release him from custody.

You can add your name here to show your support, and follow the foundation on Instagram for more updates.