"There is a loophole in the ___(4)___ on commercial whaling that lets Japan hunt for scientific reasons. But let's be honest, this is not scientific whaling. You can do scientific research on whales without ___(5)___ them. The meat from these whales ends up in supermarkets in Japan. This is ___(6)___ whaling by another name."

The whaling fleet was filmed earlier on its expedition to the Antarctic, where it ___(7)___ mainly the smaller Miki whales. Now it plans to catch 900 of them in the South Pacific. But fisheries ministers in Japan now say even larger whales, including ___(8)___ and fins, now have large enough populations to sustain hunting. Fisheries ministers say no one knows for sure how many of them there really are, but even in Japan many feel it's the whaling ___(9)___ that should be allowed to die and the whales allowed to ___(10)___.

They're the most easily recognized of the great whales. Once hunted almost to ___(1)___, humpbacks have been protected for 40 years. Now Japanese whalers have set out to kill 50 of them in an expedition which could see a thousand ___(2)___ dead in 6 months, they say, for ___(3)___ purposes.

"There is a loophole in the ___(4)___ on commercial whaling that lets Japan hunt for scientific reasons. But let's be honest, this is not scientific whaling. You can do scientific research on whales without ___(4)___ them. The meat from these whales ends up in supermarkets in Japan. This is ___(5)___ whaling by another name."

The whaling fleet was filmed earlier on its expedition to the Antarctic, where it ___(6)___ mainly the smaller Miki whales. Now it plans to catch 900 of them in the South Pacific. But fisheries ministers in Japan now say even larger whales, including ___(7)___ and fins, now have large enough populations to sustain hunting. ___(8)___ say no one knows for sure how many of them there really are, but even in Japan many feel it's the whaling ___(9)___ that should be allowed to die and the whales allowed to ___(10)___.

listening link

http://itn.co.uk/news/5de8f680e3ab61ce05aba0299b54c850.html?

They're the most easily recognized of the great whales. Once hunted almost to ___(1)___, humpbacks have been

protected for 40 years. Now Japanese whalers have set out to kill 50 of them in an expedition which could see a

thousand ___(2)___ dead in 6 months, they say, for ___(3)___ purposes. "There is a loophole in the ___(4)___ on

commercial whaling that lets Japan hunt for scientific reasons. But let's be honest, this is not scientific

whaling. You can do scientific research on whales without ___(4)___ them. The meat from these whales ends up in

supermarkets in Japan. This is ___(5)___ whaling by another name."

The whaling fleet was filmed earlier on its expedition to the Antarctic, where it ___(6)___ mainly the smaller

Miki whales. Now it plans to catch 900 of them in the South Pacific. But fisheries ministers in Japan now say even

larger whales, including ___(7)___ and fins, now have large enough populations to sustain hunting. ___(8)___ say

no one knows for sure how many of them there really are, but even in Japan many feel it's the whaling ___(9)___

that should be allowed to die and the whales allowed to ___(10)___.

[[

The Japanese whaling fleet sets off for its ___(1)___ hunt in the waters around the Antarctic. Always a ___(2)___ endeavor; this year more so. Japan is ___(3)___ its planned whale cull to include ___(4)___ whales, a species that’s supposed to be protected.

It’s hard to say ___(5)___ how many humpback whales there are. Scientists believe the stocks have increased since the hunting of the species was ___(6)___ . The level is likely to be now about ___(7)___ of what they were before the start of ___(8)___ commercial whaling. Still though the species is described as ___(9)___ .

Japan justifies its annual hunt as a way to gather ___(10)___ data about whales. It says that in the seas where it hunts there are ___(11)___ of humpback whales. Killing 50 of them ___(12)___ make much difference.

Environmentalists dispute that. This year, as before, they’ll be ___(13)___ the whalers, drawing attention to the cull.

Last year a vessel operated by one group Sea Shepherd ___(14)___ with a Japanese whaling ship. Again they say they try to disrupt the hunt. Japan says the group are environmental ___(15)___ .

Japan Targets Humpback Whales

The Japanese whaling fleet sets off for its annual hunt in the waters around the Antarctic. Always a controversial endeavor; this year more so. Japan is expanding its planned whale cull to include humpback whales, a species that’s supposed to be protected.

It’s hard to say exactly how many humpback whales there are. Scientists believe the stocks have increased since the hunting of the species was banned. The level is likely to be now about 1/3 of what they were before the start of modern commercial whaling. Still though the species is described as vulnerable.

Japan justifies its annual hunt as a way to gather scientific data about whales. It says that in the seas where it hunts there are 1000s of humpback whales. Killing 50 of them won’t make much difference.

Environmentalists dispute that. This year, as before, they’ll be shadowing the whalers, drawing attention to the cull.

“Japanese fishing agency is deceiving the Japanese public by paving? the world usage on the side of the whaling ships. The scientific program doesn’t need to include the killing of the whales to study them. This is simply the commercial whaling in disguise.”

Last year a vessel operated by one group Sea Shepherd collided with a Japanese whaling ship. Again they say they try to disrupt the hunt. Japan says the group are environmental terrorists.

The whaling fleet plans to stay at sea for six months until it meets its quota, but the protests will continue, both at sea and on land, from governments opposed to whaling.

Chris Hulk BBC news Tokyo