A whale of a problem

If we are going to discuss whaling in modern Japan, it's useful to know as much as possible about whales, and other cetaceans. Are they intelligent? Are they highly evolved? Are they endangered?

You can read about some general background information about whaling:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whaling

This is the site of Japan's ICR (Institute of Cetacean Research). Controversially, their "research" involves killing and eating whales.
http://www.icrwhale.org/abouticr.htm

Here is the Wikipedia article on the ICR.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_of_Cetacean_Research

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) has a website that includes current population estimates, sounds, and other information. You could also read about the IWC from the Wikipedia, from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and from the Humane Society.

Greenpeace reports on Japanese whaling on their web site, and Greenpeace Japan has a site as well.

Another group, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society calls themselves the "Whales' Navy" and uses direct action and even violence against whaling ships to try to save whales' lives. They were strongly criticized by NHK and other Japanese media.