JAPAN's programme of "scientific" whaling is coming under
renewed attack. Despite having missed half the whaling season
following a fire on the fleet's main ship, officials haven't
ruled out catching their full quota of 440 minke whales. This
would blow arguments used to justify the programme out of the
water, critics claim. Although the International Whaling
Commission has imposed a moratorium on commercial catches, Japan
has been whaling legally under scientific permit since 1987.
Opponents allege that this is a commercial hunt in the guise of
scienceafter a few samples are taken, they point out, minke meat
ends up in Japan's sushi bars. This year's hunt was delayed by a
fire on 19 November aboard the Nisshin Maru meat-processing
vessel. The fleet was forced back to Japan for repairs. Only now
are the processing ship, sighting vessel and three catcher boats
ready to sail. But halving the research period does ... To
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