Japanese whaler holding whale defenders

SYDNEY, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- The captain of a Japanese whaling ship has reportedly agreed to release two anti-whaling activists being held on the vessel in Antarctic waters.

Australia Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told ABC radio Japan agreed to release Benjamin Potts, 28, of Sydney, and Giles Lane, 35, from Britain after Australian officials spoke to the Japanese government, The Australian newspaper said Tuesday.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society said the activists, crew members from the anti-whaling ship the Steve Irwin boarded the Japanese harpoon vessel Yushin Maru No 2 Tuesday to deliver a letter informing the captain that he was in violation of international conservation law by targeting endangered whales in an established whale sanctuary.

A witness said the pair were tied to the rails of the ship and immersed up to their waists in freezing Antarctic seawater after an attempt to throw one overboard, The Australian reported. The newspaper said Japanese officials denied the allegation.

Japanese whalers have said they would bring any captured whale defenders back to Japan to place on trial under charges of "eco-terrorism," the conservation group said a release.