Prominent anti-whaling activist Paul Watson, founder of the nonprofit marine conservation organization Sea Shepherd, has been arrested in Greenland and is at risk of being extradited to Japan, where an international arrest warrant has been issued against him. The arrest occurred immediately after Watson's boat, the John Paul DeJoria, docked in Nuuk, when Danish police and a SWAT team boarded the vessel and apprehended him.

The arrest was made in response to a decades-old red notice at Japan's request, according to Locky MacLean, the captain of the boat, who disclosed the details in a video posted on the Captain Paul Watson Foundation's official X page. A red notice is an international arrest alert issued by Interpol.

Renowned for his confrontational tactics in combating whaling and other controversial maritime practices, Watson had planned to intercept the Kangei Maru, a Japanese factory ship, during his journey to the North Pacific Ocean. The ship's long range and storage capacity had fueled speculation about Japan's intentions to resume whaling expeditions in the Antarctic Ocean.

This is not the first time Watson has been targeted by Japanese authorities. A previous red notice was issued against him in relation to his anti-whaling activities in the South Ocean in 2014. However, his organization stated that the warrant had disappeared several months ago. They now believe that Japan deliberately kept it confidential to catch Watson off guard.

If convicted, Watson could face a prison sentence of up to 15 years. The Danish police confirmed the detention in a statement, citing the Japanese red notice as the reason for their action. A judge has denied Watson bail, considering him a flight risk due to his 2012 charge in Germany related to shark finning, where he had fled house arrest.

Watson is set to remain detained in Nuuk until August 15th, pending an investigation by the Ministry of Justice into his potential extradition to Japan. The exact charges he may face in Japan have not been specified.

In response to Watson's arrest, his organization implored the Danish government to release him and to dismiss what they believe is a politically motivated request. The case has already gained significant attention, highlighting the ongoing battle between anti-whaling activists and countries involved in marine hunting practices.