Japan kills half of intended whale target

TOKYO (AFP) : Japanese authorities believe their whaling mission in the Antarctic will kill little more than half the intended goal due to harassment by environmentalists, reports said Friday.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has engaged the Japanese fleet in a series of high-seas clashes. The group this week said its campaign, despite international condemnation, had saved 500 whales.

Japan’s Fisheries Agency declined comment on their assertions. But Japan’s Jiji Press and Kyodo News agencies, quoting unnamed fisheries officials, late Friday backed the group’s account.

Japan, which says whaling is part of its culture, had planned to kill 850 minke whales and 50 fin whales. Under international pressure, Japan dropped plans also to kill up to 50 humpbacks, beloved by Australian whale-watchers.

Jiji Press said the total catch would likely be somewhere more than 400 whales. Kyodo News said it was expected to be somewhere between 500 and 600.

Sea Shepherd has adopted confrontational tactics, arguing that whaling is barbaric and that Australia and other nations are only paying lip service to fighting Japanese whaling.

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