Drawing the ire of environmentalists, Japanese whaling ships returned to harbor this morning with a catch of 440 minke whales after five months at sea. The catch was within the limit for minkes set by the International Whaling Commission. Japan says that research is the main reason for the harpooning, but greenies dispute that. Greenpeace says the catch will earn $33 million on the wholesale market and the whale meat will end up in pricey Tokyo restaurants. Last year, Japan provoked international outcry by expanding its whale hunt to include Bryde’s and sperm whales, in addition to minkes. A Japanese official said the country will try to convince the IWC this summer to increase the amount of permissible whaling.
