The Japanese officially say the expedition will engage in "scientific" whaling.

Still controversy exists over scientific whaling, and Britain has now formally proposed that Japan end this activity.

Opponents of scientific whaling claim it is commercial whaling under a different name.

Meanwhile, "scientific" whaling, which allows a very limited catch supposedly for research purposes, will continue.

The ban allowed for scientific whaling to continue.

In 2003 Iceland resumed scientific whaling which continued in 2004 and 2005.

He also cited Japan as having not contributed to science for several years despite undertaking scientific whaling.

Except for the Soviet Union, all the countries hunt under a loophole that permits "scientific whaling" for research.

Iceland carried out four years of scientific whaling between 1986 and 1989, killing up to 40 sei whales a year.

There are also good reasons to seek an end to what is referred to as 'scientific whaling'.