Australia-based anti-whaling group clashes with Japanese ship

Vessels from an Australia-based anti-whaling group has clashed with a Japanese whaling fleet in the frigid waters off Antarctica.

The clash is believed to be the most serious of its kind in the past several years. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society sent vessels into southern waters to harass the Japanese fleet into ceasing its annual whaling expedition. The Society says its boat, Ady Gil, which is a high tech speed boat resembling a stealth bomber, was hit by the Japanese ship the Shonan Maru near Commonwealth Bay and had its bow sheared off.

The boat's six crew members had to be rescued. Japan's Fisheries Agency confirms the collision. The Australian Environment Ministry says the country is resolutely opposed to whaling in the Southern Ocean.

Peter Garrett, Australian Environment Minister, said, "We don't condone at all those activities of surveying the fleets in the Southern Ocean, and we'll consider whether there are practical or legal measures that can be taken. At the same time the government is resolutely opposed to whaling in the Southern Ocean. We'll continue not only the intense diplomatic effort, we've already gone through the process of having a vessel previously in the Southern Ocean to collect material for a potential legal action."