Paul Watson

In 1972, Watson cofounded the Greenpeace Foundation and for the past 30 years has been at the helm of the world’s most active nonprofit marine protection organization – Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

Watson’s career as a master mariner began in 1968 as a seaman with the merchant marine and with the Canadian Coast Guard. After founding Greenpeace (GP) he served as First Officer on all GP voyages and led all of its expeditions to protect harp seals on the ice floes of eastern Canada.

In 1977, Watson left GP because he felt the original goals of the organization were being compromised, and because he saw a specific, global need to continue direct-action conservation activities on the high seas. That same year, Watson founded Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, dedicated to research, investigation and the enforcement of laws, treaties, resolutions and regulations established to protect marine wildlife and their habitats worldwide. Watson has lectured extensively at universities and events around the world and has authored six books including Ocean Warrior and Seal Wars.