The Wire

The unassuming humpback whale has swum its way into a diplomatic dispute between Australia and Japan over whaling rights. As the Japanese whaling fleet readies itself for the annual scientific expedition, for the first time its targeted haul will include 50 humpback whales. This has led to much consternation between the two nations with conservation organization such as Sea Shephard’s vowing to confront the whale hunting fleets at sea in what it has termed Operation Migaloo.