Japan's whaling fleets kill up to 1,000 whales a year as allowed by the International Whaling Commission. Japan is permitted to hunt the animals as long as they are killed for research and not commercial purposes, but whale meat not used for study is sold as food in Japan. Critics say that's the real reason for the hunts, which they view as illegal.
There are organizations, such as Green Peace and The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, that are trying to put an end to this, however there needs to be more exposure on what is really happening in Antarctica. If some law isnt enforced soon, we are going to lose these majestic creatures.
If you would like to learn more, please visit:
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/anti-whaling-activist-testifies-us-court-20806441
http://www.seashepherd.org/
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/oceans/whaling/