June 12, 2023

I am constantly having to correct the misinformation being posted by SS Global. This is a response to a supporter asking questions and a questionnaire with their answers sent to SS supporters.

I have taken the liberty of responding to their misinformation.

The initial question was why I was removed from Sea Shepherd

SS ANSWER: Not everyone at Sea Shepherd is a board member. He was not removed from Sea Shepherd, but from the Board (which, again, for legal reasons which cannot be disclosed publicly). It was his choice to cut ties with Sea Shepherd completely and create Sea Shepherd Origins. And we agree completely that donor money should not be used for lawsuits. *By anyone.* That money — and our staff, crew, and volunteers’ time — should be going 100% towards protecting the ocean and marine wildlife. I appreciate that you may not be comfortable donating to Sea Shepherd without knowing the inside details of the lawsuits between the boards and founder, that’s your choice. But I have to get back to the work I’m here to do. 

For the Ocean

Captain Paul Watson: I was indeed removed from Sea Shepherd. Using their trademark demands, I was told that I could not even wear a shirt with the Sea Shepherd logo on it. My Facebook page was shut down for two months because of a banner picture of myself wearing a Sea Shepherd shirt with the Sea Shepherd flag in the background. They continually use the argument that I was removed for legal reasons that they cannot disclose. In the past Jeff Hansen said that they could not say what these reasons are because it would damage my reputation. My response was that if they have something to say they should say it and not make insinuations meant to spread doubt and mistrust. The fact is that they have no legal argument for dismissing me from the Board. The decision to dismiss me was never discussed in any Board meeting that I or Lamya Essemlali attended. It was not my choice to cut ties with Sea Shepherd. I was unlawfully dismissed. Apparently, the work being done is that of suing Sea Shepherd France, and not doing much to protect life in the sea.

On Tue, May 30, 2023 at 2:54 PM this was a response:

Le mar. 30 mai 2023 à 11:18, Sea Shepherd Media <[email protected]> a écrit :

There’s a lawsuit, but it may or may not go to trial. Our donors will not be paying the legal fees. Due to the nature of the ongoing lawsuit, there are limitations to what can be shared. Here is the Q&A provided to the press and donors below. Otherwise we are continuing our campaigns exactly as we have done in the previous years. 

Captain Paul Watson: The donors are indeed paying the legal fees and the fees are considerable.

SS Question and Answers

Q1: Who are Sea Shepherd Global and what is its relationship with Sea Shepherd Conservation Society?

A: Sea Shepherd Global and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society are each distinct entities, that share the common goal of saving marine wildlife. Each of these entities operates in different parts of the world. 

Captain Paul Watson: Sea Shepherd Global and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society claim to be separate and distinct entities. However, SSCS claims worldwide trademarks for the Sea Shepherd name and logos and have made it clear to SS Global that SSCS owns all rights. As a result, SS Global signed an agreement with SSCS to work together, an agreement that gives SSCS all rights to claim credit for all campaigns by SS Global. The agreement also demanded the removal of myself from the Global Board of Directors. It was for this reason that I was dismissed from the Global Board without a meeting, a discussion, or a vote. I was simply informed by e-mail by Alex Cornelissen that I was dismissed from the Global Board without explanation.

Q2: Why did Paul Watson and other individuals previously related to Sea Shepherd Global decide to initiate Sea Shepherd Origins?

A: Paul Watson announced publicly in September 2022 that he had decided to cut all ties with Sea Shepherd Global and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. He then started a new marine conservation organization called ‘Captain Paul Watson Foundation’. He also stimulated national Sea Shepherd entities to join a so-called ‘movement’ under the confusing name ‘Sea Shepherd Origins’. This movement claims to be the ‘original’ Sea Shepherd. 

Captain Paul Watson. I was ousted from the SSCS Board and dismissed from the SS Global Board. I did not decide to cut all ties with SSCS and SS Global. Those ties were cut by SSCS and SS Global. I wish I could claim credit for creating Sea Shepherd Origins, but Sea Shepherd Origins was created by Sea Shepherd France President Lamya Essemlali. I did support her decision to do so because what she was doing was an attempt to continue the legacy and the strategies of what Sea Shepherd was created to do. SSCS and SS Global made the decision to abandon the traditional stance of “aggressive non-violence” and to reject our confrontational and controversial approaches to protecting life in the sea. I created Sea Shepherd to be a movement and that is what it was. A movement of independent national entities working towards a common goal. Sea Shepherd Global was established for the sole purpose of coordinating ships and campaigns. It was never established to control the movement. The Directors of Sea Shepherd Global did not represent the various national entities. By removing Lama Essemlali and myself, the four other directors are attempting to own and control the entire movement. Thankfully the UK, France, Brazil and Hungary rejected that takeover. Other groups were threatened with lawsuits if they disagreed. This is why Sea Shepherd Global is suing France. Sea Shepherd France has refused to submit to their autocratic authority.

Q3: Why is Sea Shepherd Global suing Sea Shepherd France?

A: Sea Shepherd France is one of the organizations behind the so-called Sea Shepherd Origins ‘movement’. It is using the famous Jolly Roger logo without our permission. It is clear that the name of the ‘movement’ deliberately creates confusion among the public, especially among existing and potential donors. Use of the logo is an infringement of copyright. These acts are committed by a number of entities linked to Sea Shepherd France. 

Captain Paul Watson: The Jolly Roger logo was created and designed by myself in 1991, years before Geert Vons was involved. SS Global are claiming that the logo was created by Geert Vons. Geert Vons was not involved with Sea Shepherd in any capacity before 1997. Geert Vons also claims to have created the classical logo ,yet the truth is that I commissioned that logo myself in 1985. It was designed by Steve Cepello. I paid Steve $500 personally for that design and I have all the receipts and correspondence from 1985 to back that up. Sea Shepherd Global has simply commandeered something they did not create.

Q4: Is Sea Shepherd Global claiming big amounts of money from Sea Shepherd France?

A: No, we are claiming that the confusion and the copyright infringement must be stopped. For the damage inflicted by Sea Shepherd France and the other entities we are claiming symbolic damages of 1 Euro. 

Captain Paul Watson: Sea Shepherd Global is claiming that Sea Shepherd France has no right to use the name Sea Shepherd or the logos. What this means is that they want to control the name and logos in France for the purpose of solicitating financial support from the citizens of France. This means that their motive is indeed money, lots of money.

Q5: Why is Geert Vons acting as a co-claimant?

A: As the designer of the Jolly Roger logo, Geert Vons owns the copyrights in the logo. Those copyrights have been registered years ago. Paul Watson and others behind the Sea Shepherd Origins ‘movement’ are aware of that registration and thus of the rights owned by Geert Vons. Geert Vons is formally a party in the proceedings at the request of Sea Shepherd Global, where he currently serves as Creative Director. He has no financial interest in the copyright infringement claim. If the symbolic damages of 1 Euro were to be awarded to him, he will donate that 1 Euro to Sea Shepherd Global.

Captain Paul Watson: Geert Vons claims to own the copyright for the logos. He does not. I had prior use to the logos I designed and commissioned prior to Geert Vons registering a copyright on something he did not own. Sea Shepherd France had also registered the trademark for the Jolly Roger prior to Sea Shepherd Global doing so. What Geert Vons did was to make some minor changes in the logos, and now claims that these changes mean that he is the sole owner of the designs. There is media evidence in film and print of my using the Jolly Roger logo years prior to Geert Vons fraudulent claims.

Q5: Isn’t it a waste of money for these organizations to be engaged in legal disputes?

A: Sea Shepherd Global acknowledges everyone’s right to set up her or his own marine wildlife conservation organization. However, such organizations should not create deliberate confusion among the public, nor should they infringe IP rights. 

Captain Paul Watson: It is an incredible waste of money. I notice that SS Global did not even bother to acknowledge this waste, nor the fact that the money they are using to sue Sea Shepherd France is money donated by supporters to defend and protect life in the Ocean. SS Global is using donor funds for the purpose of seizing control over something they did not create ,nor did they spend 45 years building it into a movement.

Q6: Is Sea Shepherd Global engaged in the legal proceedings that are currently pending in Vermont, USA?

A: Sea Shepherd is not involved in the proceedings in the USA. 

Captain Paul Watson: This is blatantly not true. Alex Cornelissen has provided testimony to support the case for SSCS in the Vermont Court case. The claim that Geert Vons created the logos is also provided as testimony in the Vermont case.

Q7: Will Sea Shepherd Global start legal proceedings in other countries besides France?

A: Sea Shepherd Global is continuously monitoring the situation in various countries around the world. It will take appropriate action where necessary. 

Captain Paul Watson: Alex Cornelisson, Geert Vons, Peter Hammarstedt and Jeff Hansen are working to control the Sea Shepherd name globally. These four men want total control of the ships, the donors ,and all national entities. That is their goal.