Japanese whalers recently reported that they thought it was good news that almost all of the female minke whales they killed last season were pregnant because it shows the population is increasing. 262 out of 286 were pregnant. A fin whale killed was also pregnant.

The findings came from a review of Japanese reports from their most recent 2006-07 whale hunt in Antarctic waters. Their argument now is that the population is strong enough to allow a return to commercial whaling.

Pregnant humpback whales breeding in the warm waters off Australia recently could also be killed within months by the Japanese hunters in Antarctic waters. Japan carries out an annual whale hunt in Antarctica as part of its scientific research programme, aimed at providing data to resume commercial whaling – however these animals taken in the name of science, almost always are destined for the dinner table.

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