Anti-whaling group says closing in on Japan fleet

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.khaleejtimes.ae/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/international/2009/February/international_February39.xml§ion=international

1 February 2009

SYDNEY - A US-based hardline anti-whaling group, seeking to disrupt Japanese whaling near Antarctica, said it had spotted the fleet and was closing in on it, raising the risk of a confrontation.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, blamed for collisions with the Japanese fleet in recent years, said three ships had been spotted, including two harpoon vessels, which appeared to be engaged in hunting whales amid loose ice, fog and 40-knot winds.

"We are seven miles from the fleet and approaching. We see the Nisshin Maru and two harpoon vessels the Yushin Maru 1 and the Yushin Maru 2," the group's founder Paul Watson said in a statement. snip

The annual hunt is aimed at catching about 900 whales. Although Japan officially stopped whaling under a 1986 global moratorium, it continues to take hundreds of whales under a loophole allowing whaling for research purposes.

Much of the meat ends up on supermarket shelves and dinner tables.

[geek tragedy]

1. Whale Wars on Animal Planet was certainly gripping tv.

What they're doing is certainly of dubious legality and wisdom, but tell that to the whales they prevent the Japanese from murdering.

[Kolesar]

2. khaleej times, eh?

You are incredibly well read. Thanks for keeping us posted!