Japanese whalers hunt humpbacks

TOKYO, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- The Japanese whaling fleet has reportedly postponed this year's whale hunt until after Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's meeting with President George W. Bush.

This year's whale hunt has attracted unusual interest because the fleet has been authorized to take 50 humpback whales. The species is listed as threatened worldwide, and Japan has not permitted humpbacks to be taken in 20 years.

The Esperanza, a Greenpeace vessel, has been waiting to track the fleet to Antarctica. Departure was rescheduled for Sunday, Greenpeace said.

The fisheries ministry has authorized the taking of 50 endangered fin whales in a total catch of more than 1,000 whales.

Japan claims its whaling is done for scientific study. Greenpeace called the claim a sham.

"Japan's whalers are deceiving the Japanese public by painting the word 'research' on their ships," said Junichi Sato, Greenpeace Japan Whales Project leader. "Real scientists don't need to kill whales to study them. This is commercial whaling poorly dressed up as science."

Fukuda traveled to Washington Friday for his first visit as prime inister to the U.S. capital.