While Paul Watson, founder of the Sea Shepherd organization, is imprisoned in Greenland, the City of Montpellier shows its support for the activist and his actions in favor of protecting whales against illegal hunting.
Since July 21, Paul Watson, founder of the environmental organization Sea Shepherd, has been incarcerated in Nuuk, Greenland. His arrest by the Danish authorities arouses great concern among his supporters. Prosecuted for his actions in favor of protecting whales against illegal hunting, he risks being extradited to Japan, where he could be sentenced to heavy sentences for having violated the interests of fishermen.
Paul Watson, whale conservationist
To express its solidarity, the City of Montpellier took a symbolic initiative by installing a sign in support of Paul Watson in front of City Hall. A way for the municipality to attest to its position in defense of the animal cause and more particularly that of whales, which the activist has tirelessly defended during his career.
Indeed, Paul Watson, now aged 73, has dedicated his life to protecting the oceans and fighting against whaling, particularly in the Antarctic whaling sanctuary where certain countries continue to hunt them despite the international moratorium adopted in 1986 banning commercial whaling. For more than ten years, Sea Shepherd’s mission has been to save cetaceans from the threat of harpoons. The Montpellier Town Hall also admires his work: “For 10 years, he had protected them in the Antarctic whaling sanctuary. 5,000 whales and their offspring were freed from harpoons by Sea Shepherd ships. »
The City of Montpellier requests his release
As an action, Edine Ariztegui, deputy mayor responsible for animal welfare, organized a support ceremony in the presence of a representative of the Sea Shepherd association this Monday, September 30, at 10:30 a.m. The objective was then to raise awareness among the public and the authorities about the urgency of Paul Watson’s situation, and to remind people of the need to protect marine species threatened by illegal hunting. The elected official also spoke: “Paul Watson, founder of Sea Shepherd, has worked his whole life to protect whales. He is a model to follow, for his courage and determination. The whole world has its eyes fixed on Denmark and Japan, who we are calling on to come to their senses by freeing Paul Watson and to definitively stop whaling. »
Michaël Delafosse, mayor of Montpellier, also took a position in favor of the activist: “The preservation of biodiversity and whales is essential. We support the actions of Paul Watson and thank him for saving thousands of cetaceans. As mayor of Montpellier, I call for his immediate release. »
