Rewilding Earth Podcast Summary
Episode 138: No Surrender! Paul Watson Talks About His Latest Victory Over Japan and The Battles Ahead
Release Date: December 20, 2024
Host: The Rewilding Institute

Introduction

In Episode 138 of the Rewilding Earth podcast, The Rewilding Institute welcomes Captain Paul Watson, the founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and the Paul Watson Foundation. Renowned as a pirate, eco-warrior, and a controversial hero, Watson has been a steadfast advocate in the fight to protect marine life and combat illegal whaling for over four decades. This episode delves into Watson's recent arrest in Denmark, his five-month ordeal in prison, his unwavering commitment to conservation, and the ongoing battles to safeguard our oceans.

Paul Watson's Recent Victory and Imprisonment

The episode opens with Watson reflecting on his recent arrest in Denmark and the subsequent threat of extradition to Japan. Despite the severity of the situation, Watson maintains a positive outlook, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to return home to his family for Christmas.

Paul Watson [02:18]: "Oh, I'm feeling really good. I'm really happy that I'll be able to be home for Christmas with my two little boys."

Watson explains how his imprisonment inadvertently became a powerful campaign tool, drawing global attention to Japan's illegal whaling operations. He emphasizes the strategic use of media and documentation to highlight not only Japan's actions but also the broader issue of marine life killings in the Danish Faroe Islands.

Paul Watson [02:45]: "I was able to turn my incarceration into a campaign to continue to focus attention on their illegal whaling operations. So I think it backfired on them there because it got worldwide attention."

Throughout his five months in prison, Watson received immense support from the global community, including approximately 4,500 letters. Despite limited means to communicate, he engaged with the media and activists to keep the momentum alive.

Paul Watson [04:01]: "I received, I think while I was in there, about 4,500 letters altogether. And although I couldn't answer all of them, I tried to answer as many as possible."

Impact on Whaling and Conservation Efforts

Watson highlights his five-decade-long battle against whaling, celebrating significant victories that have led to the cessation of whaling in countries such as Australia, Chile, South Africa, Spain, Peru, and South Korea. These efforts have effectively ended approximately 90% of global whaling activities.

Paul Watson [04:46]: "For 50 years, I've been working to oppose whaling operations around the world, and it's been a very successful 50 years. We've shut down whaling since 1974."

However, challenges persist as Japan continues its attempts to resume whaling in the Southern Ocean, and Iceland shows signs of restarting its own whaling activities. Watson outlines proactive strategies, including deploying ships to intercept Japanese whalers and planning to confront Iceland in June 2025.

Paul Watson [05:44]: "We have a ship in Australia ready to intercept them if they should return to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. And we also have a ship in the Atlantic to oppose a couple of vessels actually, to oppose any attempts by Iceland to resume whaling in June of 2025."

Challenges and Activist Resistance

The conversation shifts to the broader implications of Watson's legal battles on global activism. There's concern that international legal actions, like the one Watson faced, could intimidate and discourage activists worldwide. Watson acknowledges the increasing repressive measures against environmental activists but remains optimistic about combating these challenges through strategic non-violent actions.

Paul Watson [06:06]: "We're seeing more and more repressive measures being taken against activists over the last 10, 20 years, more so than, you know, before. ... we call aggressive non-violence, to aggressively intervene but don't injure anybody."

He underscores the power of media, particularly cameras, in amplifying conservation messages without resorting to violence. Citing the film "How to Blow Off a Pipeline" as an example, Watson illustrates how impactful storytelling can drive change.

Paul Watson [06:06]: "... we always have to come up with new ideas how to capture everyone's attention at the same time without hurting anybody. ... the most powerful weapon on the planet is the camera."

Collaboration Between Rewilding and Ocean Conservation

Watson emphasizes the interconnectedness of various ecosystems, drawing parallels between terrestrial and marine conservation efforts. He advocates for a unified approach where rewilding movements and ocean conservation work in tandem to reinforce each other's initiatives.

Paul Watson [07:37]: "Everything's connected, whether it be, you know, for instance, when I worked with Cheap brownie and in the Amazon when we were at the COP21 conference, you know, it was, it was the lungs of the earth. One lung is green, one lung is blue. And together that they provide, you know, the life support system for the planet."

He highlights the importance of diversity within conservation movements, both in ecosystems and in activist groups, stating that the collective efforts of individuals and organizations are what drive meaningful change.

Paul Watson [07:37]: "Therefore the strength of a, any movement is in diversity. So it's really literally thousands and thousands of individuals and organizations working towards the same thing."

Future Outlook

Looking ahead to 2025, Watson outlines his strategic plans to continue combating illegal whaling and protect various marine species across the globe. His initiatives include safeguarding turtles in Mayotte, protecting orcas off Iberia, combating overfishing in the North Atlantic, and supporting river dolphin and manatee conservation in Amazonia through collaborations with Sea Shepherd branches in France and Brazil.

Paul Watson [11:03]: "Well, we're prepared to confront Iceland again in June for when they intend to go back to killing whales illegally. We have a ship stationed in Australia prepared to intervene if Japan returns to the Southern Ocean. ... working with Sea Shepherd Brazil to protect the river dolphins and the manatees in Amazonia."

Watson attributes his ability to manage such extensive operations to the collaborative efforts of dedicated individuals worldwide, reinforcing his belief in collective action.

Paul Watson [12:00]: "Don't do it all by myself. ... you have to harness our skills and our abilities and couple that to the wagon of courage and passion and imagination."

Intelligence and Communication with Marine Life

A fascinating segment of the interview delves into Watson's views on animal intelligence and the potential for interspecies communication. He shares his longstanding belief in the possibility of communicating with whales, aided by advancements in artificial intelligence and technology. Watson criticizes the anthropocentric mindset that undervalues the intelligence of non-human species.

Paul Watson [13:17]: "We are looking at a really, you know, sophisticated intelligence with animals that have far better communication abilities than we do. ... these are intelligent capabilities far beyond anything that we're capable of."

Watson recounts personal experiences with orcas, illustrating the misunderstood nature of marine predators. He explains that incidents often labeled as attacks are typically cases of curiosity or mistaken identity.

Paul Watson [16:10]: "I think they're intelligent enough to understand that they have to live. It's a mutual coexistence with us, that they know how dangerous we are and therefore, yeah, let's not mess with these people."

Through these narratives, Watson advocates for a deeper understanding and respect for marine life, challenging conventional perceptions of intelligence and behavior in animals.

Personal Reflections and Inspirations

Towards the end of the episode, Watson shares personal reflections, including his admiration for the late Dave Borman, an inspiration in his conservation journey. He reiterates his core message of empowering individuals to make a difference through courage, passion, and collective action.

Paul Watson [12:12]: "Each and every one of us has the ability to change the world, to make a difference... you can do incredible things."

He underscores the rewarding nature of a life dedicated to conservation, encouraging listeners to embrace challenges and remain steadfast in their efforts to protect the natural world.

Conclusion

Episode 138 of the Rewilding Earth podcast offers a profound insight into Captain Paul Watson's relentless pursuit of ocean conservation. From his recent legal battles to his visionary ideas on interspecies communication, Watson embodies the spirit of a dedicated activist committed to rewilding and protecting our planet's marine ecosystems. His experiences serve as both a testament to the impact of individual action and a call to action for others to join the fight in preserving the Earth's wild places.

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Watson [00:05]: "Each and every one of us has the ability to change the world, to make a difference..."

• Paul Watson [05:44]: "We have a ship in Australia ready to intercept them if they should return to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary."

• Paul Watson [06:06]: "... the most powerful weapon on the planet is the camera."

• Paul Watson [07:37]: "Everything's connected, whether it be... one lung is green, one lung is blue."

• Paul Watson [13:17]: "These are intelligent capabilities far beyond anything that we're capable of."

• Paul Watson [12:12]: "If you believe that something is right, then go for it and accept the challenges..."

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