Paul Watson applies for French nationality: a long-standing commitment to protecting the oceans

Paul Watson’s lawyer, Jean Tamalet, said on Wednesday 23 October that his client’s application for French nationality ‘makes perfect sense’, pointing out that ‘France has the second largest coastline in the world’. This move is consistent with Watson’s fight as an environmental activist, renowned for his relentless opposition to whaling and the protection of marine ecosystems.

A request for nationality in the face of adversity

Paul Watson, who is currently being held in Greenland at Japan’s request, has officially applied for French nationality. His lawyer, who is coordinating his defence team, said on Thursday 24 October that the application had been submitted as part of Watson’s commitment to preserving the oceans, particularly in maritime areas where France plays a key role.

Watson has also requested political asylum in France, via a letter addressed to Emmanuel Macron. However, this request is complicated by the fact that the activist is not on French soil, a condition required to file this type of request.

The support of the French government

When asked about this, government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon expressed her ‘personal admiration’ for Paul Watson’s work, but did not comment directly on his application for French nationality. For her part, the French Minister for Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, announced on Thursday that France would ask the Danish authorities to release Watson. She stressed that ‘the charges against him do not justify his detention’ and affirmed her support for the environmental activist.

An internationally recognised campaign

Paul Watson, co-founder of the Sea Shepherd organisation, is being prosecuted for ‘obstructing commercial activity’ and accused of involvement in clashes that caused damage during operations against Japanese whalers in 2010. He was arrested last July while attempting to intercept a Japanese whaling vessel with his own boat, the John Paul DeJoria.

Hopes of release

Detained until 13 November pending a decision by the Danish government on his extradition to Japan, Watson has nevertheless expressed his gratitude for the support he has received. In an interview with the Greenlandic channel KNR, he thanked Emmanuel Macron in French and expressed his desire to ‘return to France and become a French citizen’.

His lawyer, like many of his supporters, hopes that this outpouring of support, both from the government and from French public opinion, will have a positive influence on the Danish authorities to obtain his release.