Japan kills hundreds of whales a year in Antarctic waters by using a loophole in the 1986 moratorium on commercial whaling that allows the sea mammals to be hunted for "lethal research". Anti-whaling nations led by Australia and New Zealand and environmental groups have attacked Japan for its annual hunting expeditions, criticising them as cruel and unnecessary.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, have harassed whalers in recent years, moving their ships and inflatable boats between the harpoon vessels and the sea mammals.
On Wednesday, Sea Shepherd members said they had launched a new Godzilla speedboat to chase Japanese harpooners hunting the giant mammals in Antarctic waters.
SeaShepard.org
"Godzilla" Joins Sea Sheperd's Anti-whaling Fleet
