"Research whaling" refers to the practice of conducting studies or investigations on whales. It involves capturing, killing, or studying whales to gather information about their behavior, population, or ecosystem. Full definition
NHK World is reporting that Japanese research whaling in the Antarctic Ocean «has been sabotaged by the radical US conservation group Sea Shepherd.» (treehugger.com)
TOKYO — Japan has resumed its controversial lethal research whaling because it wants to determine how many minke whales can be harvested sustainably while studying the environment, Joji Morishita, the nation's representative to the International Whaling Commission (IWC), told a press conference here today. (sciencemag.org)