Japan Cancels Whale Hunt Because People Might Get Hurt

After repeated face-offs between Japanese whaling ship the Nisshin Maru and the Bob Barker and the Gojira -- boats helmed by anti-whaling activists from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society -- Japan has called off its yearly Antarctic whale hunt citing "safety concerns." Via BBC News, "Putting safety as a priority, the fleet has halted scientific whaling for now. We are currently considering what to do hereafter," said an official at the fisheries agency.

The Sea Shepherd boats have basically been chasing the Nisshin Maru and then blocking it to keep the fisherman from killing whales, playing chicken, in a way, as the Nisshin Maru would be forced to collide with them if it didn't stop. Sea Shepherd captain Paul Watson said he didn't think the fisherman had gotten more than 30 whales, far short of the reported aim of killing up to 945, for "scientific research" (and also for food).

As of today, the ships were in international waters south of the Chilean EEZ, where whaling is prohibited.

In other fish news, a kid killed a bunch of goldfish because he didn't want them to be witnesses to his burglary. This is the world we live in.

Facing High Seas Drama, Japan Suspends Annual Whale Hunt [NPR]