Institute of Cetacean Research
Both sides blamed each other, each stating that the other side miscalculated a maneuver. The New Zealand government expressed concern at the risk of human lives in the hostile environment, and also repeated its opposition to whaling in the Sanctuary. A spokesman for the Institute of Cetacean Research said that Japan would continue to protect their operations "in whatever way it can" and that further clashes would be likely unless Sea Shepherd stopped its operations.