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The Japanese whaling fleet participates in two "scientific
research"whaling expeditions each year. One in the Southern
Ocean Whale Sanctuary off of Antarctica from November to April
hunting Minke whales. A second in the north Pacific ocean operates
during June and July hunting Minke, Bryde's, Sperm and Sei whales.
Five vessels make up the Japanese fleet:
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Nisshin-maru
'Mother Ship' of Japanese fleet
This ship is where the whale
carcasses are flensed, butchered and stored. The ship, a converted
stern trawler, weighs 7,575 tonnes and can carry 112 crew.
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Toshi-maru
Catcher ship
A specially designed ship for hunting whales. The ship weighs
740 tonnes and can carry 22 crewmembers.
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Yushin-maru
Catcher ship
The ship weighs 720 tonnes and can carry 18 crewmembers.
This high speed catcher boat was launched in 1998 and was
described as "a symbol of restarting commercial whaling."
It is the first new catcher boat to be built by the Japanese
in 26 years.
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In addition to the three ships photographed above, the fleet includes
the Kyoshin-maru, a "spotter" vessel used to sight
whales and the Kyo-maru, a harpoon equipped 'catcher' ship.
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