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.<br/> <br />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.<br/> <br />A Japanese crew member says the objects look like bottles, and counts seven missiles thrown.<br/> <br />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.<br/> <br />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".<br/> <br />Neither side reported any injuries in the incidents.<br/> <br />In response to Sea Shepherd harassment, last season Japan cut short its annual whale hunt with less than a fifth of the allowed quota.<br/> <br />Japan, along with Iceland and Norway, are countries that hunt whales.<br/> <br />Nick Rowlands, Reuters.
