Whale Wars Heat Up in Antarctic

Feb. 6: Anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd's ship, the Bob Barker, fires a laser beam at the Japanese whaling ship Nisshin Maru in the waters of Antarctica. (AP/Institute of Cetacean Research)

Feb. 6: Anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd's ship, the Bob Barker, fires a laser beam at the Japanese whaling ship Nisshin Maru in the waters of Antarctica. (AP/Institute of Cetacean Research)

Feb. 6: Photo released by Sea Shepherd shows anti-whaling group's ship, the Bob Barker, left, and Japanese harpoon boat the Yushin Maru 3 collide in the waters off Antarctica.

Feb. 6: Photo released by Sea Shepherd shows damage to the deck of the anti-whaling group's ship, Bob Barker, after colliding with a Japanese harpoon boat.

Undated photo provided in late January by Australian Customs Service shows what the Australian government says is the slain carcass of a minke whale tied to the Japanese harpoon ship Yushin Maru 2 in Antarctic waters.

Undated photo provided in late January by Australian Customs Service shows what the Australian government says are the slain carcasses of a minke whale and her calf hauled aboard the Japanese harpoon ship Yushin Maru 2 in the Antarctic waters.

Jan. 6: Activists of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society aboard the anti-whaling group's vessel Ady Gil are sprayed with water from the Japanese whaling vessel Shonan Maru during a clash in Antarctic waters. (Institute of Cetacean Research via APTN)

Jan. 6 : Activists of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society aboard the anti-whaling group's vessel Ady Gil, left, are sprayed with water from the Japanese whaling vessel Shonan Maru during a clash in Antarctic waters. (Institute of Cetacean Research via APTN)

Jane 6: Activists of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society sit with ropes and buoys aboard the anti-whaling group's vessel Ady Gil during their encounter with the Japanese whaling ship Nisshin Maru in the Antarctic waters. (AP2010)

Jan. 6:  Activists of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society aboard the anti-whaling group's vessel Ady Gil hold a projectile launcher and a camera during their encounter with the Japanese whaling ship Nisshin Maru in the Antarctic waters. (Institute of Cetacean Research)

EDITORS: THIS CORRECTS THE NAME OF THE SEA SHEPHERD VESSEL IN THE SECOND SENTENCE**In this photo released by the Institute of Cetacean Research of Japan, activists of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society aboard the anti-whaling group's vessel Ady Gil aim a projectile launcher during their encounter with the Japanese whaling ship Nisshin Maru in the Antarctic waters Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010. The Sea Shepherd said the Ady Gil was sinking after a collision with one of Japanese whaling ships while its crew had been safely transferred to the group's third vessel in the area. (AP Photo/Institute of Cetacean Research) ** MANDATORY CREDIT, NO SALES, EDITORIAL USE ONLY ** (Institute of Cetacean Research)

Dec. 23: In this file photo released by the Institute of Cetacean Research of Japan, the anti-whaling group's Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's newly-acquired vessel Ady Gil tows a rope while sailing close to the Japanese whaling ship Shonan Maru No. 2 during their encounter in the Antarctic. (AP2009)

Jan. 6: In this photo released by the Institute of Cetacean Research of Japan, activists of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society sit with ropes and buoys aboard the anti-whaling group's vessel Ady Gil during their encounter with the Japanese whaling ship Nisshin Maru. (Institute of Cetacean Research)

Jan. 6: The Bob Barker, one of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's new anti-whaling vessels, is seen during its encounter with the Japanese whaling ship Nisshin Maru. (Institute of Cetacean Research)

Jan. 6: In this photo released by the Institute of Cetacean Research of Japan, activists of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society aboard the anti-whaling group's vessel Ady Gil prepare to fire a projectile launcher during their encounter with the Japanese whaling ship Nisshin Maru in the Antarctic. (Institute of Cetacean Research)