Bottles thrown as activists harass whaler

This video released by the Japan Institute of Cetacean Research, which Reuters cannot independently verify, shows Sea Shepherd anti-whaling activists hounding a Japanese harpoon ship in the Antarctic Ocean.

The Australian conservationists can be seen throwing objects onto the whaling ship, which uses water cannon to try to keep the activists' boat at bay.

A Japanese crew member says the objects look like bottles, and counts seven missiles thrown.

The Institute of Cetacean Research is a Japanese government-supported non-profit organization that coordinates Japan's annual whale hunt, which is ostensibly for scientific research.

It condemned the Sea Shepherd activists in a press release, saying their "reckless interference is putting the lives of Japan's research workers in danger".

Neither side reported any injuries in the incidents.

In response to Sea Shepherd harassment, last season Japan cut short its annual whale hunt with less than a fifth of the allowed quota.

Japan, along with Iceland and Norway, are countries that hunt whales.

Nick Rowlands, Reuters.