Pierce Brosnan and More Show Support for Anti-Whaling Activist Paul Watson, Who Remains Detained in Greenland

Mar. 15, 2025

Paul Watson.Photo:Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

Many people, including several public figures, are speaking out in support of anti-whaling activist Paul Watson, who has been detained in Greenland on an international arrest warrant from Japan.

Police said Watson, 73, was arrested on Sunday, July 21, when his ship docked in Nuuk, according tothe Associated PressandReuters.

Watson’s ship was attempting to “intercept Japan’s newly-built factory whaling ship Kangei Maru in the North Pacific” when the ship stopped in Greenland to refuel, according to a statement from theCaptain Paul Watson Foundation.

Watson has the support of public figures, including actorPierce Brosnanand French presidentEmmanuel Macron, who are calling for his release.

Brosnan, 71, showed his support for Watson on Monday, Aug. 12, with aFacebook photoof the actor holding up a piece of paper that says “#FreePaulWatson” on it.

Pierce Brosnan showing his support for former “Whale Wars” star Paul Watson.Pierce Brosnan/Facebook

Pierce Brosnan/Facebook

TheRemington Steelestar has previously spoken out in support of Watson in May 2012. Brosnanraised awarenesson Facebook after Watson was detained in Germany with the possibility of being extradited to Costa Rica.

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Macron’s office announced on Tuesday, July 23, that the French president was pressing Danish authorities not to extradite Watson, according toAgence France-Presse.

French President Emmanuel Macron showed his support for Paul Watson shortly after the anti-whaling activist was arrested in July 2024.Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Japan issued the warrant for Watson’s arrest more than a decade ago, claiming he allegedly caused injury and property damage upon breaking into a Japanese vessel in the Antarctic Ocean in 2010, according to the AP and Reuters.

More than 65,000 signatures have been collected through the petition on the CPWF website calling for Watson’s release.

Watson will be detained until Thursday, Sept. 5, while authorities consider his extradition to Japan, according to the AP and Reuters.

source: people.com