Court Ends Japan's Antarctic Whale Hunt

The UN's top court has ruled Japan's whaling hunt in the Southern Ocean should cease "with immediate effect".

The decision came as the court tonight concluded Japan's permits for killing whales were not used for purposes of scientific research and Japan has not acted within obligations of the Whaling Convention. The court found, at 12 votes to four, Japan has not acted under international law by granting permits to kill whales.

"The court concludes that the special permits granted by Japan for the killing, taking and treating of whales in connection with JARPA II are not for purposes of scientific research," President Peter Tomka told the ICJ in The Hague today.

The court has recommended "Japan shall revoke any extant authorisation to take or kill whales pursuant to JARPA II [whaling programme]" and not issue any more whaling permits.

The decision by the court comes after conservation groups in Australia and New Zealand campaigned to stop whaling in the Southern Hemisphere. The case against Japan's whaling was brought to the court by Australia, with contribution from New Zealand. The issue has led to numerous battles at sea.

apan allocates itself an annual quota of around 1000 whales in Antarctic waters. It says it kills them for "scientific research", which is exempt from an international whaling moratorium. The whale meat is then sold at high prices in Japan, which is why Australia and New Zealand have argued its actions are commercial, not scientific.