Icelandic authorities said coast guard personnel and special forces seized a vessel operated by a group founded by anti-whaling activist Paul Watson. Officials in the Nordic island nation said 21 crew members were detained in the operation.
The ship is tied to the Paul Watson Foundation, an organization known for opposing commercial whaling. The move immediately drew attention because Watson has long been one of the most recognizable figures in direct-action anti-whaling campaigns.
According to the limited details available, the seizure was announced by Icelandic officials on Saturday. The action involved both coast guards and special forces, underscoring the seriousness with which authorities handled the boarding and detention of the crew.
The incident places Iceland’s whaling debate back in the spotlight, with tensions again surfacing between anti-whaling activists and state authorities. Further information about the reasons for the seizure and the status of the detained crew had not been fully detailed in the available report.
