Whaling fleet returns from Antarctic

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.

Whaling fleet returns from Antarctic

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.

Whaling fleet returns from Antarctic

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.

Whaling fleet returns from Antarctic

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.