The good work of anti-whaling activists has paid off for this year. Today, Friday, the Japanese government ordered an early end to its annual Antarctic slaughter of whales. The anti-whalers, of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, welcomed the announcement and put the Japanese on notice that it campaign against the slaughter of whales will continue next year.

The Japanese government claim that Sea Shepherd, an American based save the whale organization, is a terrorist group, because it takes direct action to interfere with the Japanese slaughter of whales.

The Japanese annual slaughter of the Whales is illegal. Japan claims that its whale slaughter is for scientific purposes, which is permitted, under a provisions of the International Whaling Commission's 1986 ban on whaling. But opponents say Japan is conducting commercial whaling, which is not allowed. The meat of the slaughtered whales is not used for study but is sold for consumption in Japan.

The Japanese fleet's seasonal quota is normally 945 whales. 945 whales targeted for slaughter for the purpose of study? Who do these truth challenged people think they are fooling? The Associated Press reports that this year, the Japanese "had targeted a catch of 850 whales. But the Japanese fleet "will return home with roughly one-fifth of that."

Again, good work, anti-whalers.

Item from Euronews --"Japan has cut short its annual Antarctic whale hunt, claiming harassment by American activists has made it impossible to continue." See the video.