its old, they were transporting the whale and i think it ruptured somehow (clearly) but I am not 100% sure how. It is stupid how they get away with killing the whales for "scientific research".
Q: Aren't Japan's whale research program simply commercial whaling in disguise?
A: The treaty (ICRW) requires that the by-products of the research be processed. The fact that the whale meat ends up on the market is a requirement of the treaty to ensure that resources are not wasted. It is not a "loophole" or "illegal" or "commercial whaling in disguise" as the anti-whaling rhetoric suggests. Income from the sale of by-products (meat) is used to partially offset the cost of the research.
Q: What kind of research is being done?
A: Japan's research program in the Antarctic, which began with feasibility studies in 1987/88 and 1988/89 in response to claims of uncertainty of scientific information, has 4 objectives:
1. Estimation of biological parameters to improve the stock management of the Southern Hemisphere minke whale,
2. Examination of the role of whales in the Antarctic marine ecosystem,
3. Examination of the effect of environmental changes on cetaceans and,
4. Examination of the stock structure of the Southern Hemisphere minke whales to improve stock management.
