Captain Paul Watson
Image: Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Canadian born Paul Watson is an activist for animal rights and environmental issues. He founded the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, of which he is currently president. The Society is devoted to the conservation of marine life. He was also a co-founder of the environmental group Greenpeace, eventually becoming a board member before leaving the group to start Sea Shepherd.
Watson is also a promoter of veganism, voluntary population control, and believes in the value of all life on earth—no matter how sentient. He has been the source of some controversy over the direct action tactics used by Sea Shepherd to prevent whaling and other non-conservation-friendly activities, and has had legal action taken against him in some cases.
He currently has two ships that patrol international waters and confront any vessels that show evidence of criminal action. While some governments renounce him for being an “eco terrorist” and “pirate,” other law governments have chosen to partner with him to go on patrol and make arrests as a sort of green police agency.
Many believe Watson’s actions to be far too radical and proactive; however, there is no denying that he has made a huge impact in the marine conservation sector of environmentalism.
As of today, his whereabouts are unknown. He is currently wanted in three countries for harassing illegal fishermen. Planning to avoid arrest by staying out at sea, Watson is sharing no specific information about his location. On a post to his website, he said only, “I am presently in a place on this planet where I feel comfortable, a safe place far away from the scheming nations who have turned a blind eye to the exploitation of our oceans.”