From his earlier days at Greenpeace to his current efforts with the show “Whale Wars” in Libyan waters, Paul Watson has focused on direct action that not only attracts eyes but gets results. In this short interview with NYTimes‘ Andy Revkin, Watson speaks about his strategy compared to current-day Greenpeace’s — intervening in illegal whaling, not protesting it (and doesn’t refrain from calling Greenpeace activists cowards!).
He also explains that he’s not breaking any laws or hurting anyone (but is saving whales and other endangered sea life), and says “When they call me an eco-terrorist, I say, look, ‘arrest me or shut up’, you know, I’m not wanted for anything.”
“You don’t walk down the street and see a woman being raped and do nothing,” Watson says. “And you don’t stand there and watch whales die and do nothing but hang banners and take pictures,” explaining why he and his crew intervene in relatively aggressive ways to stop extremely harmful illegal whaling in Antarctic waters and other fishing practices that endanger entire ocean species.
Watch the video below for more:
With growing support for Watson’s and his Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s efforts and dwindling support and income for Japanese whalers, Watson and his crew were able to cut Japan’s Antarctic whaling season short earlier this year. Hopefully, they will see more successes like this around the world this year and in coming years as well.
Related Stories:
- Japanese Whalers Sink Sea Shepherd’s $2 Million New Boat [Photos]
- Michelle Rodriguez — Avatar and LOST Star — Joins Sea Shepherd [VIDEO]
- Greenpeace vs. Sea Shepherd: An Unfortunate Conflict
- Japanese Whaling & Ocean Battle Get U.S., Netherlands, Australia, & New Zealand’s Attention
- Whale-Sized Marshmallows Deployed to Thwart Japanese Whalers
