Canadian activist among those detained on anti-whaling ship in Iceland

An animal-rights activist from Saskatchewan is among those detained off the coast of Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, on a ship operated by a group founded by anti-whaling activist Paul Watson.

Watson has a history with confronting whaling vessels, and was removed from Interpol’s most-wanted list in 2025. Iceland is one of the only countries still practicing commercial whaling

The Icelandic Coast Guard said the crew of whaling ship Hvalur 9 requested assistance on Thursday evening because they believed their safety was under threat from the protest vessel Bandero. Watson was not aboard.

Whaling ship Hvalur 9 requested assistance because they believed their safety was under threat from the protest vessel Bandero

Icelandic coast guards and special forces have seized a ship operated by a group founded by anti-whaling activist Paul Watson

Iceland seizes Paul Watson Foundation’s anti-whaling ship and detains its crew  AP News