Interpol Removes Red Notice for Captain Paul Watson, Sparking International Headlines
After more than a decade of legal battles and political targeting, Interpol has officially removed the Red Notice for Captain Paul Watson, the legendary ocean defender and founder of Sea Shepherd. The news has sparked a wave of international media coverage, with outlets across the world recognizing this as a landmark moment for environmental justice.
Captain Watson—who holds dual U.S. and Canadian citizenship—has long been pursued by Japan for his bold efforts to defend whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. Many conservationists have described the Red Notice as politically motivated, a tool used to silence activism under the guise of international law enforcement.
As The Washington Post reported:
“Interpol takes U.S.-Canadian anti-whaling ‘eco-pirate’ off most-wanted list.” The piece noted that Watson spent months imprisoned in Greenland last year after Japan sought his extradition over a 2010 incident at sea. He was ultimately released, and the case drew global outrage.
ABC News reported on this global subject.
Al Jazeera highlighted growing concerns around the notice’s legitimacy, reporting:
“Interpol takes whaling activist, Sea Shepherd founder off wanted list.” They emphasized the backlash from human rights groups and environmental defenders.
Canada’s CTV News also covered the development:
“Interpol takes Canadian anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson off its most wanted list,” reinforcing Watson’s deep roots in Canada’s environmental movement.
In France, Le Monde reported on the removal with the headline:
“Interpol lifts red notice for anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson,” underscoring the international recognition of the campaign against Japan’s whaling operations.
Meanwhile, The Japan Times acknowledged the setback to Japanese authorities:
“Interpol removes anti-whaling activist Paul Watson from wanted list,” adding that Japan has vowed to continue efforts to extradite him.
Asia’s South China Morning Post covered the political fallout with:
“Japan sees red as Interpol drops arrest request for whale activist Paul Watson,” reporting Tokyo’s foreign ministry is furious at the development.
Malaysia’s Malay Mail shared a similar view, headlining:
“Japan furious as Interpol lifts red notice against anti-whaling activist Paul Watson.”
Qatar Tribune confirmed the decision in brief:
“Interpol deletes wanted notice for anti-whaler Paul Watson.”
And the Associated Press reinforced the narrative with a global lens:
“Interpol takes anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson off its most-wanted list,” reiterating his long-standing defense of marine life.
South China News reported:
“Tokyo’s foreign minister vows to continue requesting Captain Paul Watson’s extradition. “
This cascade of media attention underscores the global support for Captain Watson and raises broader questions about the misuse of legal mechanisms to suppress environmental activism.
Watson responded to the news by saying:
“This was never about justice. It was about politics. Japan used the Red Notice to try to silence me. But you cannot silence the ocean. And you cannot silence those who defend it.”
As the Captain Paul Watson Foundation sets its sights on the Krill Industry and Deep Sea Mining, this victory adds momentum to their movement and delivers a powerful message: the world is watching—and standing up for the oceans.