Not true. In 2007 Japan set out to hunt 50 humpbacks, again “for research purposes”.
The only reason why they didn’t that year was due to international pressure, not out of a sense of responsibility. Japan (and most other Asian countries for that matter) do not show any interest in “sustaining the species”.
Correctomundo. They know they have to keep the focus on the 'enviro whackos' if they want to be able to keep up their shenanigans. That's why there's always tons of chatter from the whaling lobby shils over at youtube following these incidents.
These whalers are just continuing the long Japanese tradition of ignoring any other countries territorial water. The over 900 whales killed for "research" have all found their way to the fish markets. Keep in mind the Japanese are known to absurdly underestimate their fishing numbers, so who knows how many have really been killed.
Nearly all of these whales are poached from the Australian Whale Sanctuaries, where the Japs have been ordered to stop whaling by Australian courts.
Just goggle "Japanese illegal fishing" there's plenty of documentation, some linking illegal fishing to the Yakuza. Considering one whale brings them $3.5 Million, this is not surprising.
And don't worry, there's no shortage of Freepers who talked trash about patriots like the Minutemen too.
Good video of the intentional ramming by the Japanese "security boat". http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jan/07/sea-shepherd-japanese-whaling-ship