(Thumbnail image: Opinions 24x7)

"The Japanese whaling fleet says they kill whales for scientific reasons, while environmentalists thwart their fishing with civil disobedience.  The battle wages in the Antarctic..." (Link TV)

Environmentalists and foreign countries have battled Japan's controversial whaling practices for more than 20 years.  But the International Whaling Commission has finally developed what they call a compromise-- the IWC wants to let Japan hunt whales commercially, if they comply with a quota.

We're taking a look at perspectives on the future of whaling from New Tang Dynasty Television, Euro News, Sky News, ABC News Australia, and OneWorld UK.

Japan tries to kill nearly 1,000 whales each year for scientific research under the IWC loophole.  But Japan also illegally sells whale meat to consumers.

Sources on New Tang Dynasty Television and euronews, both defend the country's whaling practices and oppose international legal action.

New Tang Dynasty Television: "Whale-eating is part of the Japanese traditions.  Russians and Norwegians also eat whales, but some Western people, including the Sea Shepherd, don't condemn them but only bash Japan.  It's absolutely racial discrimination against Japanese people."

Euronews: "Research whaling does not infringe the international accords and it's conducted according to the agreements.  Instead of solving the matter by taking legal action, it's very important to reach an understanding on the diplomatic side."

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and other environmentalists have tried to stop whaling by attacking and boarding Japanese ships.

But on Sky News, a reporter says legal agreements should define whaling restrictions.

"Action through the international accords will be more effective than the environmentalists' attempts to enforce their own version of justice.  One of them jumped aboard a whaling ship last week to try to arrest the captain.  He now faces prosecution for trespass when the ship docks in Japan."

Environmentalists oppose the IWC proposal, which would let Japan legally hunt fewer whales without using research as justification.

On ABC News Australia, a member of Humane Society International focuses on the proposal's pitfalls.

"It would allow whaling in the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary.  It would legitimize that for the first time, and it's even contemplating allowing a quota for humpbacks in Antarctica.  It's just appalling."

But an article from OneWorld UK points to the proposal's strong points, which include...

"...increased efforts to secure the recovery of depleted whale populations, action on critical conservation threats facing whales such as bycatch and climate change, and improved governance and compliance."

So what do you think?  How would a legal quota for commercial whaling affect the world's whales? 

Writer: Courtney Cebula

Producer: Nathan Giannini