I am appauled at the whale killing that continues today in Norway, Japan, and Iceland under the "scientific" umbrella. There is nothing more to learn about whales that we don't already know by killing them. What a bunch of BS! Unfortunately, there is so much politics involved that we should enjoy the whales while they are here because the only place you will see them in the near future will be in a museum. There are only an estimated 350 Atlantic right whales left, and their numbers continue to dwindle. There biggest threat here in the US is ship strikes because they frequent the same routes as do the big ships, and Navy, who refuse to slow down to prevent these strikes.
I'm glad you posted these pictures and I don't know why more negative publicity isn't given to these hunts by our own media. Not to mention all the illegal overfishing that is going on around the world. Again, there is so much politics involved it's rediculous.
Although it probably won't do much good, here is the web site for the International Whaling Commission; http://www.iwcoffice.org/conservation/permits.htm
I for one plan on writing them a nasty letter and forwarding the information to all of my friends and family.
If you want to see more disturbing footage, go to seashepherd.org and check out the campaigns to stop the dolphin and whale hunts in Japan where they round up hundreds of dophins, drag them still kicking up a boat ramp and cut them open while they are still alive.