Researchers set sail from New Zealand on Tuesday to study whales off Antarctica without killing them - an open challenge to Japan's killing of up to 1,000 whales a year in the name of science. Japan has six-boat whaling fleet in Antarctic waters as part of its scientific whaling program, an allowed exception to the International Whaling Commission's 1986 ban on commercial whaling. Opponents claim Japan's program is commercial whaling disguise, with the whale meat sold for food in Japan.

No-kill researchers sail to study Antarctic whales. (2010, February 4). Manila Bulletin, p. B8.