Japanese Begin Whale Hunt As Australia Launches Scientific Study

The Japanese whaling fleet has set sail for its controversial whale hunt in Antarctic waters, while the Australian government has simultaneously begun a scientific study to demonstrate the benefits of non-lethal whale research. The lead Japanese whaling ship, Nisshin Maru, left Japan Monday in hopes of killing 850 minke whales and 50 fin whales in the Southern Ocean ”“ a hunt it claims is carried out for scientific purposes. But the Australian government and conservation groups say the Japanese hunt is primarily a fishing voyage to supply coveted whale meat to the Japanese market. Australia said its study would show that whales are best researched using satellite tags, aerial surveys, and acoustic techniques, rather than being killed with grenade-tipped harpoons fired from canons. Sea Shepherd, the conservation group that has actively tried to block the Japanese whaling operations using a ship and Zodiac boats, will once again confront the fleet in Antarctic waters.