The last of five Japanese whaling ships returned home on Thursday, raising the number of Antarctic minke whales killed to 439. That number is just one short of the maximum allotment for Japanese scientific whaling under the International Whaling Commission Agreement, according to Fisheries Agency official Michitoshi Nabeshima. The five ships set sail last November. During 1999, Japanese whaling ships caught 389 minke whales. Japan plans to submit data on death rates and living habits to the IWC in June.
Environmentalists are critical of Antarctic whaling.
Since all the proceeds for whale meat sales go to the whaling industry, environmentalists say the practice encourages illegal whaling. Stargazing Check out our telescopes and accessories.