On February 7th, the Australian Government released graphic photos of whales being slaughtered by a Japanese whaling fleet to the media. The Australian Government has also extended the mission of the Oceanic Viking in documenting the whale slaughter in preparation for an international legal case against Japanese whaling.

Masatoshi Wakabayashi, the Japanese Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries says a diplomatic complaint will be lodged with Australia over the release of the photos. "We had agreed to handle the issue calmly and avoid damaging friendly relations between the two countries,"he told a news conference as reported by the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). "However, Australia released pictures of a whaling vessel and made remarks that don't appear calm," Mr Wakabayashi said. "We will express our regret about it and call on them through diplomatic channels to act calmly." he said.

One of the photos released apparently shows the killing of a mother minke whale and its calf, as evidence to back legal action against Japan’s controversial whale hunt. The graphic images show the mother whale and her calf being winched aboard a Japanese vessel after being shot with explosive tipped harpoons. Scientists say the calf in the photograph was less than twelve months old. Read More and View Photos

see also: Australian Government Refuses to release Whale Slaughter Photos || Sea Shepherd: Australian Government too timid on Whaling || Paul Watson: Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace An Unfortunate Conflict in Anti-whaling Campaign || Sea Shepherd: Greenpeace should Refuel and Return to Stop Whaling || Low fuel forces Greenpeace to abandon Whaling Fleet || Whaling Company in Tokyo served with Australian Court orders || Sea Shepherd bushwacks Whaling surveillance vessel || Greenpeace Blockades Refueling of Whaling Factory Ship || Sea Shepherd Tailed By Japanese Mystery Ship || Sea Shepherd website hacked || Previous Coverage