The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has condemned the Japanese fleets setting off for another season of cruel whale killing.  For the first time since the 1960s, humpback whales will be hunted commercially.

© Phillip Colla / HWRF. Photo taken under and used according to the provisions of NMFS and State of Hawaii scientific research permits.

A WSPA spokesperson said:

"It is clear that people all over the world are distressed about the killing of whales and the attempt to call it ‘scientific research' is a highly dubious excuse for harming such magnificent and intelligent mammals. 

"We must never forget that whaling causes slow and painful deaths. The whales are struck by explosive harpoons and can take over an hour to die. 

"WSPA believes that the hunger to kill whales is being replaced by a hunger to understand and protect them in their natural environment.  We should be protecting these animals and encouraging a sustainable industry of whale watching, helping us to understand how these creatures live."