The Story of Paul Watson

One of the heroic figures in context of animal rights protection is Paul Watson, the defender of marine life and environmentalist. His activity is a perfect example of persistent and selfless work towards protection of cetaceans, dolphins, fish and other representatives of sea waters’ habitat causing discontent of certain national governments. It is impossible not to relate his tremendous contribution to frequent arrests and charges, which are issued for his illegal actions in purpose of animals’ release.  Paul Watson began animals’ protection career in 1975 when the first Greenpeace campaign for whales’ rights was launched. This was a specific case when Paul posed himself as an alive obstruct between whalers and the whales. Despite Watson’s efforts hunters killed two marine giants. Two years later the environmentalist founded Sea Shepherds organization, the purpose of which is the support and promoting of international agreements and documents on the rights of whales. There were much Buddhist issues invested in Watson’s activity, and later the Dalai Lama himself highly estimated the work done by Paul Watson – he was granted with Hayagriva statuette. In Hinduism he is the god of wisdom and knowledge, represented with human body with a horse’s head.  In addition, Watson’s work has alerted an eye of movie directors and producers. Of course, such devoted animal rights’ protestor could not go without any attention; Trish Dolman, in particular, introduced her film about Watson in 2011 after several years of constant observation and collaboration with the activist. It is called “Eco-Pirate: The Story of Paul Watson”.One of vivid moments of his protection work occurred in 2002 in Costa Rica, when he tried to stop shark hunting; specifically, these predators are the objects of poaching for their fins, mush used in cooking soups. Costa Rica appears to be the country hosting sharks’ reservations. The consequences are observed even to date, when Paul experiences permanent persecutions from Costa Rica and Germany. The last country is the place where Watson was released on the bail conditions; at least, before he broke them and fled out of Germany. Recently Japan expressed a desire to support Costa Rica’s and German charges.In 2008 Paul Watson was recognized as one out of 50 people who saved the planet. This title cannot but underline activist’s devotion to animal rights. In contrast to international organizations, this man demonstrates his wish by deeds, not documents, speeches or anything else. Lots of public people support the opinion and whale wars the defender performs, such as Hollywood actors (Alicia Silverstone), music starts (red Hot Chili Peppers band) and world-known figures (Bridgette Bardot).