A Japanese whaling ship harpooned an Antarctic Minke Whale in Australia’s exclusive economic zone in the Southern Ocean off the Davis research base, according to Captain Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd Foundation.  This is despite Canberra ordering the Japanese out of Oz’s waters just weeks ago.

Watson says the Japanese attempted to ram the Sea Shepherd Foundation’s MY Bob Barker when it attempted to block the whalers from transferring the carcass from one vessel to another.  The MY Steve Irwin is racing to the scene, and opposition environment spokesman Greg Hunt is urging the government to send a Customs vessel to the area to prevent any further escalation.

On 31 January, Japan’s Shonan Maru #2 had entered Australian territorial waters near Macquerie Island thousands of kilometers from the whaling confrontation.  The Government told it to get lost.

Why the Japanese are insisting on prolonging whaling is anyone’s guess.  It is no longer profitable due to constant interference from environmental activists and low demand for whale meat at home.  Folks no longer have a yen for Kujira Sushi and Sashimi.  Tokyo is propping up the program with taxpayer money.