Reply #49: Sydney: Thousands protest over whale killing (video) [View All]

Thousands of protesters have formed a humpback whale figure on Sydney's Bondi beach to raise awareness of the plight of the endangered species.

The protest came as Japan confirmed it will go ahead with the controversial killing of 1,000 whales.

Japan's whaling tradition has long caused tension with New Zealand and Australia.

The country abandoned commercial whaling in 1986, but it found a loophole in the moratorium that allows the killing of whales for research.

Japan argues its whaling programme helps the understanding of whale stocks and species, while also keeping the eco-system in check by keeping the numbers of marine species stable.

It also considers whaling a cherished cultural tradition, although studies show the public's appetite for the delicacy is declining.

http://itn.co.uk/news/47dd5272db8db5c6f28b5ddeabf2e3bf.html