Protesters stop whale hunt

Anti-whaling activists' high-seas confrontations with Japanese ships forced Tokyo to cut short its annual Antarctic whale hunt for the first time yesterday.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society – which has thrown paint and rancid butter at the whalers and tangled ropes in their propellers – said it would continue its campaign next year.

Japan accuses the US-based environmental group of risking lives in its pursuit of the whaling fleet.