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Controversial whaling expedition cut short

Japan cut short its controversial annual whaling expedition in the Antarctic Ocean yesterday after its mother ship was badly damaged by fire, officials said.

The six-vessel fleet, which was dogged by protests by environmentalists, headed home after killing little more than half its intended catch, the Fisheries Agency said.

Fire broke out on the 8,030-tonne mother ship, the Nisshin Maru, in Antarctic waters on Feb. 15. One crewman was killed and the ship was without power for a week.

"We have determined that it is impossible to continue the research operation because research equipment has been damaged and defaced, although the mother ship may be able to sail on its own power," a Fisheries Agency statement said.

The International Whaling Commission imposed a moratorium on commercial whaling in 1986 but Japan has continued hunting for what it calls scientific research, a loophole in the pact.

Japan, however, makes no secret that the meat from the hunt winds up on dinner plates and says the food is part of its national culture.

The fleet had planned to hunt up to 850 minke whales and 10 fin whales, but left after killing 505 minke whales and three fin whales, a Fisheries Agency official said.

The agency said it hoped to repair the ship for another whaling expedition in the northwestern Pacific in the middle of this year.

The fleet was closely followed by anti-whaling activists, although both sides said the fire was not connected.

On one occasion, activists of the hardline Sea Shepherd group hurled bottles containing chemicals at the fleet.

Greenpeace said one of its ships, the Esperanza, escorted the Japanese fleet out of Antarctic waters yesterday.

The Esperanza radioed a message expressing sympathy for the loss of the crew member but added: "This must be the last time your government sends you to the Southern Ocean to hunt whales and threaten the Antarctic environment."

"For the sake of the environment, the whales and your crew, never again!" the message said.
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