Paul Watson has dedicated his life to sailing into danger to protect marine life and defend whales at sea.

At 73, his decades of activism have brought him into conflict with numerous countries, multiple arrests, and even Interpol red notices—the latest issued by Japan, a nation with a long history of whaling. Paul has made it his mission to expose illegal whaling operations, even when such activities are disguised as scientific research.

Most recently, he spent nearly five months in detention in Greenland, held by Danish authorities at Japan’s request. Japan seeks his extradition, accusing him of a 14-year-old offense involving his team launching raw butter stink bombs at the crew of a whaling research vessel.

Earlier this week, Paul was released without extradition, allowing him to return to France and reunite with his family.

‘The most powerful weapon in the world is a camera,’ says anti-whaling activist Paul Watson