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Satellite View of Graham Land - Antarctica

Handout Satellite views dated on November 21, 2025, shows Graham Land. Graham Land, the northernmost stretch of the Antarctic Peninsula, is one of the most rapidly warming regions on Earth. Its mountainous spine and outlet glaciers drain into the Weddell Sea, forming an important transition zone between grounded ice, floating shelves, and open water. This dynamic landscape supports rich marine ecosystems, including krill-dependent species such as seals, penguins, and seabirds, and plays an important role in global ocean circulation and climate regulation. This Copernicus Sentinel-1 image, acquired on 21 November 2025, shows the contrasting textures of grounded ice, fragmented sea ice, and dark, open ocean, revealing key glaciological features in radar backscatter. Copernicus data is essential to climate science. A recent study published in Nature used Copernicus Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data to analyse glacier dynamics in Graham Land, Antarctica. Photo by European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-1 imagery via ABA

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Glacial forces at the edge of Antarctica

Handout photo show Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, acquired on 17 March 2025, shows the flow of the David Glacier as it feeds into the Drygalski Ice Tongue in East Antarctica. Stretching 90 km into the Ross Sea, the ice tongue is one of the largest floating ice extensions in Antarctica. The linear structure of the ice tongue reveals its dynamic forward movement over time, shaped by internal flow and ocean interaction. Ice tongues like this change in size and shape over time, reshaped by calving events, waves and storms. Copernicus delivers key data for tracking glacier dynamics and calving events in remote areas. Regular monitoring supports climate research, helping scientists assess how Antarctic ice loss contributes to global sea-level rise. Drygalski Ice Tongue, Antartica on March 17, 2025. Photo by European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery via ABACAPRESS.COM

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Australia: Record Flooding in NSW Leaves Barbershop Underwater

One man is dead and three people are missing after record flooding battered New South Wales’ Mid-North Coast and the Hunter Region, leaving many residents stranded or forced to evacuate. This video shows the inside of a barbershop in Taree, submerged in floodwater.

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Icebreaker Shirase

Members of a Japanese Antarctic research expedition aboard the icebreaker Shirase collect water off Totten Glacier in the Southern Ocean on March 24, 2025, to measure the melting of ice in the area. (Photo taken by accompanied journalist)

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Icebreaker Shirase

Members of a Japanese Antarctic research expedition aboard the icebreaker Shirase collect water off Totten Glacier in the Southern Ocean on March 6, 2025, to measure the melting of ice in the area. (Photo taken by accompanied journalist)

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Icebreaker Shirase

Members of a Japanese Antarctic research expedition aboard the icebreaker Shirase collect water off Totten Glacier in the Southern Ocean on March 6, 2025, to measure the melting of ice in the area.

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Icebreaker Shirase

Members of a Japanese Antarctic research expedition aboard the icebreaker Shirase collect water off Totten Glacier in the Southern Ocean on March 6, 2025, to measure the melting of ice in the area. (Photo taken by accompanied journalist)

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CHINA-HONG KONG-POLAR ICEBREAKER-XUELONG 2-VISIT (CN)

(240410) -- HONG KONG, April 10, 2024 (Xinhua) -- China's 40th Antarctic expedition team member Pei Jiahao make introductions to visitors on China's icebreaker Xuelong 2 in Hong Kong, south China, April 10, 2024. China's first domestically made icebreaker Xuelong 2 arrived in Hong Kong for a five-day visit, expecting to receive 8,500 visitors. Xuelong 2, which came to Hong Kong for the very first time, entered the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui on Monday morning after completing China's 40th Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Zhou Yuan)

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CHINA-HONG KONG-POLAR ICEBREAKER-XUELONG 2-VISIT (CN)

(240410) -- HONG KONG, April 10, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Visitors look at samples collected from China's 40th Antarctic expedition on China's icebreaker Xuelong 2 in Hong Kong, south China, April 10, 2024. China's first domestically made icebreaker Xuelong 2 arrived in Hong Kong for a five-day visit, expecting to receive 8,500 visitors. Xuelong 2, which came to Hong Kong for the very first time, entered the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui on Monday morning after completing China's 40th Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Zhou Yuan)

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CHINA-HONG KONG-POLAR ICEBREAKER-XUELONG 2-VISIT (CN)

(240410) -- HONG KONG, April 10, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Visitors walk to board China's icebreaker Xuelong 2 in Hong Kong, south China, April 10, 2024. China's first domestically made icebreaker Xuelong 2 arrived in Hong Kong for a five-day visit, expecting to receive 8,500 visitors. Xuelong 2, which came to Hong Kong for the very first time, entered the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui on Monday morning after completing China's 40th Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Zhou Yuan)

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CHINA-HONG KONG-POLAR ICEBREAKER-XUELONG 2-VISIT (CN)

(240410) -- HONG KONG, April 10, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Crew member Li Erxi introduces bridge equipment to visitors on China's icebreaker Xuelong 2 in Hong Kong, south China, April 10, 2024. China's first domestically made icebreaker Xuelong 2 arrived in Hong Kong for a five-day visit, expecting to receive 8,500 visitors. Xuelong 2, which came to Hong Kong for the very first time, entered the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui on Monday morning after completing China's 40th Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Zhou Yuan)

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CHINA-HONG KONG-POLAR ICEBREAKER-XUELONG 2-VISIT (CN)

(240410) -- HONG KONG, April 10, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on April 10, 2024 shows China's icebreaker Xuelong 2 in Hong Kong, south China. China's first domestically made icebreaker Xuelong 2 arrived in Hong Kong for a five-day visit, expecting to receive 8,500 visitors. Xuelong 2, which came to Hong Kong for the very first time, entered the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui on Monday morning after completing China's 40th Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Zhou Yuan)

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CHINA-HONG KONG-POLAR ICEBREAKER-XUELONG 2-VISIT (CN)

(240410) -- HONG KONG, April 10, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Ship-borne helicopter captain Zhang Dong introduces polar flight to visitors on China's icebreaker Xuelong 2 in Hong Kong, south China, April 10, 2024. China's first domestically made icebreaker Xuelong 2 arrived in Hong Kong for a five-day visit, expecting to receive 8,500 visitors. Xuelong 2, which came to Hong Kong for the very first time, entered the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui on Monday morning after completing China's 40th Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Zhou Yuan)

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CHINA-HONG KONG-POLAR ICEBREAKER-XUELONG 2-VISIT (CN)

(240409) -- HONG KONG, April 9, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Citizens are seen on the deck of the polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 in Hong Kong, south China, April 9, 2024. China's first domestically made icebreaker Xuelong 2 on Monday arrived in the country's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for a five-day visit. Xuelong 2, which came to Hong Kong for the very first time, entered the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui on Monday morning after completing their latest Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Long Jingyi)

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CHINA-HONG KONG-POLAR ICEBREAKER-XUELONG 2-VISIT (CN)

(240409) -- HONG KONG, April 9, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Citizens watch a documentary as they visit the polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 in Hong Kong, south China, April 9, 2024. China's first domestically made icebreaker Xuelong 2 on Monday arrived in the country's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for a five-day visit. Xuelong 2, which came to Hong Kong for the very first time, entered the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui on Monday morning after completing their latest Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Tan Jiaming)

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CHINA-HONG KONG-POLAR ICEBREAKER-XUELONG 2-VISIT (CN)

(240409) -- HONG KONG, April 9, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Citizens pose on the polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 in Hong Kong, south China, April 9, 2024. China's first domestically made icebreaker Xuelong 2 on Monday arrived in the country's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for a five-day visit. Xuelong 2, which came to Hong Kong for the very first time, entered the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui on Monday morning after completing their latest Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Tan Jiaming)

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CHINA-HONG KONG-POLAR ICEBREAKER-XUELONG 2-VISIT (CN)

(240409) -- HONG KONG, April 9, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A teacher and students pose on the deck of the polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 in Hong Kong, south China, April 9, 2024. China's first domestically made icebreaker Xuelong 2 on Monday arrived in the country's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for a five-day visit. Xuelong 2, which came to Hong Kong for the very first time, entered the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui on Monday morning after completing their latest Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Tan Jiaming)

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China's 1st domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 visits HKSAR

STORY: China's 1st domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 visits HKSAR SHOOTING TIME: April 8, 2024 DATELINE: April 8, 2024 LENGTH: 0:00:39 LOCATION: HONG KONG, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Xuelong 2 STORYLINE: China's first domestically made icebreaker Xuelong 2 on Monday arrived in the country's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for a five-day visit. Xuelong 2, which came to Hong Kong for the very first time, entered the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui on Monday morning after completing their latest Antarctic expedition. The icebreaker will be open for public visits from Tuesday to Friday. During their stay in Hong Kong, the Antarctic expedition team will hold a two-day international conference on climate change at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Xuelong 2's scientists will meet with about 200 students at the Hong Kong Science Museum where the "Polar Research and Climate Change" exhibition was held. Xuelong 2 is China's fourth polar research vessel, fo

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XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

(240321) -- BEIJING, March 21, 2024 (Xinhua) -- World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General Celeste Saulo poses with the new report on the state of the global climate in 2023 at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, March 19, 2024. The United Nations'(UN) climate chief issued a red alert on Tuesday as new data showed that records for every single climate indicator were shattered in 2023. The UN's climate agency, WMO, has released a new report on the state of the global climate in 2023. It shows that last year, records were broken for various climate change indicators like greenhouse gas levels, surface temperatures, ocean heat and acidification, rising sea levels, Antarctic sea ice cover and glacier retreat. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

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SWITZERLAND-GENEVA-WMO-CLIMATE CHANGE-RED ALERT

(240320) -- GENEVA, March 20, 2024 (Xinhua) -- World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General Celeste Saulo poses with the new report on the state of the global climate in 2023 at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, March 19, 2024. The United Nations'(UN) climate chief issued a red alert on Tuesday as new data showed that records for every single climate indicator were shattered in 2023. The UN's climate agency, WMO, has released a new report on the state of the global climate in 2023. It shows that last year, records were broken for various climate change indicators like greenhouse gas levels, surface temperatures, ocean heat and acidification, rising sea levels, Antarctic sea ice cover and glacier retreat. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

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SWITZERLAND-GENEVA-WMO-CLIMATE CHANGE-RED ALERT

(240320) -- GENEVA, March 20, 2024 (Xinhua) -- World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General Celeste Saulo (C) speaks at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, March 19, 2024. The United Nations'(UN) climate chief issued a red alert on Tuesday as new data showed that records for every single climate indicator were shattered in 2023. The UN's climate agency, WMO, has released a new report on the state of the global climate in 2023. It shows that last year, records were broken for various climate change indicators like greenhouse gas levels, surface temperatures, ocean heat and acidification, rising sea levels, Antarctic sea ice cover and glacier retreat. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

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SWITZERLAND-GENEVA-WMO-CLIMATE CHANGE-RED ALERT

(240320) -- GENEVA, March 20, 2024 (Xinhua) -- World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General Celeste Saulo speaks at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, March 19, 2024. The United Nations'(UN) climate chief issued a red alert on Tuesday as new data showed that records for every single climate indicator were shattered in 2023. The UN's climate agency, WMO, has released a new report on the state of the global climate in 2023. It shows that last year, records were broken for various climate change indicators like greenhouse gas levels, surface temperatures, ocean heat and acidification, rising sea levels, Antarctic sea ice cover and glacier retreat. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

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SWITZERLAND-GENEVA-WMO-CLIMATE CHANGE-RED ALERT

(240320) -- GENEVA, March 20, 2024 (Xinhua) -- World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General Celeste Saulo (L) speaks at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, March 19, 2024. The United Nations'(UN) climate chief issued a red alert on Tuesday as new data showed that records for every single climate indicator were shattered in 2023. The UN's climate agency, WMO, has released a new report on the state of the global climate in 2023. It shows that last year, records were broken for various climate change indicators like greenhouse gas levels, surface temperatures, ocean heat and acidification, rising sea levels, Antarctic sea ice cover and glacier retreat. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

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China's icebreaker Xuelong 2 holds public open day event in New Zealand

STORY: China's icebreaker Xuelong 2 holds public open day event in New Zealand SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 27, 2024 DATELINE: Jan. 28, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:26 LOCATION: CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of China's icebreaker Xuelong 2 2. various of the open day event STORYLINE: China's research icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, held a public open day event at Lyttelton Port in Christchurch, New Zealand on Saturday. On the event, about 400 people boarded the ship to visit the Xuelong 2. During this period, scientific researchers in the Antarctic field from the two countries also held academic seminars. This is the third time that Xuelong 2 has docked at Lyttelton Port during this voyage. During the docking period, Xuelong 2 will carry out material replenishment and personnel rotation, and then will head to the new Ross Sea station again. China's 40th Antarctic expedition is organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Currently, Xuelong 2 is conducting ocean survey operatio

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Xinhua Headlines: Top 10 China news events of 2023

(231229) -- BEIJING, Dec. 29, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on May 28, 2023 shows a C919, China's self-developed large passenger aircraft, getting ready for its first commercial flight in east China's Shanghai. C919 kicked off its first commercial flight from Shanghai to Beijing on May 28, marking its official entry into the civil aviation market. Top 10 China news events of 2023 5. Sci-tech innovation forges new drivers, advantages for development On May 28, C919, China's self-developed large passenger aircraft, completed its first commercial flight. Over the year, the Long March series carrier rockets fulfilled its 500th successful flight mission; the construction of China's space station was fully completed, and it entered a new phase of application and development; Chinese scientists unveiled a quantum computer prototype named "Jiuzhang 3.0;" Chinese expedition teams wrapped up the 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition, and embarked on the country's 40th Antarctic expedition. With the breakt

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Factory ship of Japanese whaling fleet returns home

SHIMONOSEKI, Japan - The factory ship Nisshin Maru of the Japanese whaling fleet anchors at Shimonoseki Port in Yamaguchi Prefecture on April 14 after returning from the Antarctic Ocean. The fleet's five other vessels involved in what the Japanese government claims is scientific research had already returned to Shimonoseki as of April 13.

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3 Japanese whaling vessels return home from Antarctic Ocean

SHIMONOSEKI, Japan - Japan Coast Guard personnel check the Japanese whaling vessel Yushin Maru No. 3 to determine the extent of damage sustained in a collision with a Sea Shepherd vessel in February in the Antarctic Ocean, after the ship returned to Shimonoseki Port in Yamaguchi Prefecture on April 13. The Yushin Maru No. 3 and two other ships returned after completing their whale hunt for what the Japanese government calls scientific-research purposes.

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3 Japanese whaling vessels return home from Antarctic Ocean

SHIMONOSEKI, Japan - Japanese whaling vessel Yushin Maru No. 3 anchored at Shimonoseki Port in Yamaguchi Prefecture on April 13 after it, along with two other whaling vessels, returned after completing their whale hunt for what the Japanese government calls scientific-research purposes. The vessel's stern was damaged in a collision with a Sea Shepherd Conservation Society vessel in the Antarctic Ocean.

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Japan fleet leaves for whale stock survey in Antarctic

SHIMONOSEKI, Japan - The Yushin Maru, a ship of Japan's Fisheries Agency, departs from the western Japanese port of Shimonoseki on Jan. 8, 2015, for the Antarctic Ocean to conduct a survey of whale stocks in place of an annual whaling mission that the International Court of Justice ordered the country to stop in 2014.

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Japan fleet leaves for whale stock survey in Antarctic

SHIMONOSEKI, Japan - The Yushin Maru, a ship of Japan's Fisheries Agency, departs from the western Japanese port of Shimonoseki on Jan. 8, 2015, while it is seen off by relatives of crew members. The ship, leaving for the Antarctic Ocean, is to conduct a survey of whale stocks in place of an annual whaling mission that the International Court of Justice ordered the country to stop in 2014.

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Japan cuts Antarctic whale catch target by 2/3

KUSHIRO, Japan - File photo taken in September 2013 shows a minke whale landed in Kushiro, Hokkaido, in northern Japan. The Japanese government said on Nov. 18, 2014, that it will reduce the number of whales to be taken in the Antarctic Ocean to one-third of the previous target, as the country seeks to continue its "research whaling" despite a U.N. court ordering Tokyo to halt its program there.

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Japan "research whaling"

SHIMONOSEKI, Japan - The Japanese whaling ship Yushin Maru No. 2 leaves Shimonoseki port in Yamaguchi Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on May 16, 2014. The vessel will take part in so-called research whaling in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with a sharply reduced quota for whale catches following a ruling by the International Court of Justice in March 2014 banning Japanese whaling in the Antarctic Sea.

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Japan "research whaling"

SHIMONOSEKI, Japan - Relatives of a crewmember see off the Japanese whaling ship Yushin Maru No. 2 at Shimonoseki port in Yamaguchi Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on May 16, 2014. The vessel will take part in so-called research whaling in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with a sharply reduced quota for whale catches following a ruling by the International Court of Justice in March 2014 banning Japanese whaling in the Antarctic Sea.

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Japan "research whaling"

SHIMONOSEKI, Japan - The Japanese whaling ship Yushin Maru leaves Shimonoseki port in Yamaguchi Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on May 16, 2014. The vessel will take part in so-called research whaling in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with a sharply reduced quota for whale catches following a ruling by the International Court of Justice in March 2014 banning Japanese whaling in the Antarctic Sea.

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Minke whale caught off northeastern Japan coast

ISHINOMAKI, Japan - A "scientific whaling" team transports a newly caught minke whale in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 26, 2014. It was the first catch in the northwest Pacific Ocean off the prefecture since the International Court of Justice ruled Japan's Antarctic whaling program illegal in March.

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'Scientific whaling' team examines minke whale

ISHINOMAKI, Japan - A "scientific whaling" team examines a newly caught minke whale in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 26, 2014. It was the first catch in the northwest Pacific Ocean off the prefecture since the International Court of Justice ruled Japan's Antarctic whaling program illegal in March.

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Int'l court rules against Japanese whaling

THE HAGUE, Netherlands - Pete Bethune, a former captain of an anti-whaling ship for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, speaks with reporters at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the Netherlands, on March 31, 2014, after Japan lost a court case lodged by Australia seeking an end to Japanese whaling in the Antarctic Ocean.

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Int'l court rules against Japanese whaling

OSAKA, Japan - Photo taken March 31, 2014, shows whale dishes at Murasaki, a restaurant specializing in such dishes, in Osaka, western Japan. Japan lost a court case lodged by Australia seeking an end to Japanese whaling in the Antarctic Ocean the same day, as the U.N. court ruled Japan's whale hunting is not conducted for scientific purposes and ordered the whaling to stop.

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Int'l court rules against Japanese whaling

THE HAGUE, Netherlands - Koji Tsuruoka, who represented the Japanese government in a court case lodged by Australia seeking an end to Japanese whaling in the Antarctic Ocean, speaks with reporters after Japan lost the case at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the Netherlands, on March 31, 2014.

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Int'l court rules against Japanese whaling

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in September 2013 shows a minke whale captured off Kushiro, northern Japan. Japan lost a court case lodged by Australia seeking an end to Japanese whaling in the Antarctic Ocean on March 31, 2014, as the U.N. court ruled Japan's whale hunting is not conducted for scientific purposes and ordered the whaling to stop.

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Int'l court rules against Japanese whaling

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in February 1987 shows whaling by a Japanese ship in the Antarctic Ocean. Japan lost a court case lodged by Australia seeking an end to Japanese whaling in the Antarctic Ocean on March 31, 2014, as the U.N. court ruled Japan's whale hunting is not conducted for scientific purposes and ordered the whaling to stop.

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Int'l court rules against Japanese whaling

THE HAGUE, Netherlands - Photo taken March 31, 2014, shows Japanese officials in a courtroom at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the Netherlands, ahead of a ruling on a case lodged by Australia seeking an end to Japanese whaling in the Antarctic Ocean. Japan lost the case as the U.N. court ruled Japan's whale hunting is not conducted for scientific purposes and ordered the whaling to stop.

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Int'l court rules against Japanese whaling

THE HAGUE, Netherlands - Photo taken March 31, 2014, shows a courtroom at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the Netherlands, ahead of a ruling on a case lodged by Australia seeking an end to Japanese whaling in the Antarctic Ocean. Japan lost the case as the U.N. court ruled Japan's whale hunting is not conducted for scientific purposes and ordered the whaling to stop.

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Int'l court rules against Japanese whaling

THE HAGUE, Netherlands - Photo taken March 31, 2014, shows judges at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the Netherlands, before a ruling is given on a case lodged by Australia seeking an end to Japanese whaling in the Antarctic Ocean. Japan lost the case as the U.N. court ruled Japan's whale hunting is not conducted for scientific purposes and ordered the whaling to stop.

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Sea Shepherd founder Watson in court

SEATTLE, United States - Paul Watson, founder of the anti-whaling Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, appears in a Seattle court on Nov. 6, 2013, in a case brought by Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research to prevent Sea Shepherd from obstructing its whaling activities in the Antarctic Ocean. Canadian Watson jumped bail in Germany, where he was arrested in May 2012 on suspicion of endangering the crew of a Costa Rican fishing vessel. (Pool photo)

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Whaling fleet returns from Antarctic

SHIMONOSEKI, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Japan's three-ship whaling fleet -- (from front) the mother ship Nisshin Maru, the Yushin Maru No. 2 and the Yushin Maru. The fleet returned to the port of Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on April 7, 2013, after completing the season's research whaling in the Antarctic Ocean.

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Whaling fleet returns from Antarctic

SHIMONOSEKI, Japan - Photo shows the Yushin Maru, one of three ships in Japan's whaling fleet that returned to the port of Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on April 7, 2013, after completing the season's research whaling in the Antarctic Ocean.

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Whaling fleet returns from Antarctic

SHIMONOSEKI, Japan - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi speaks at the port of Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on April 7, 2013, at a welcoming ceremony for Japan's three-ship whaling fleet. The fleet returned to the port the same day after completing the season's research whaling in the Antarctic Ocean.

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Whaling fleet returns from Antarctic

SHIMONOSEKI, Japan - Photo shows the mother ship Nisshin Maru of Japan's three-ship whaling fleet, which returned to the port of Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on April 7, 2013, after completing the season's research whaling in the Antarctic Ocean.

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Whaling fleet returns from Antarctic

SHIMONOSEKI, Japan - Photo shows the bow of the mother ship Nisshin Maru of Japan's three-ship whaling fleet, which returned to the port of Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on April 7, 2013, after completing the season's research whaling in the Antarctic Ocean. Marks are seen on the bow of the Nisshin Maru, which was rammed by vessels of antiwhaling group Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.