The Japanese fleets annual scientific whaling expedition exploits a loophole in the 1986 whaling moratorium to target roughly 1,000 minke, fin and other whales in the Southern Ocean. Conservationists, however, say the hunts are cover for commercial whaling because the whale meat that is not used for study is sold for consumption.

　　Cables leaked last month by Wiki- Leaks revealed that Japan had pressed the US government to target Sea Shepherd as part of a secret deal that could have reduced the cull. The four cables apparently showed US willingness to investigate the NGO status of Sea Shepherd. Senior whaling negotiator, Monica Medina, is reported as saying the group does not deserve tax exempt status based on their aggressive and harmful actions. Another cable records a Japanese minister calling for action against Sea Shepherds tax status, which, he said, created a very dangerous situation on the seas.

　　But Sea Shepherd denies endangering the Japanese fleet and says the cat-and-mouse game will continue, despite yesterdays announcement. Theyre not taking their ships out of the Southern Ocean, so it could be a ploy to get us to pull away, said Mr Watson.

【雅思阅读材料：Japan halt whaling】相关文章：

★ 雅思阅读考前必看—Tilt of continent

★ 雅思阅读测试的要点

★ 雅思阅读:3-6月综合技能指导

★ 雅思阅读高分技巧

★ 雅思阅读素材—The screw tightens

★ 雅思阅读长难句

★ 雅思阅读资料Multiple choice

★ 雅思阅读的基本功

★ 雅思阅读：句子结构

★ 雅思阅读素材—Game lessons