Activists from group the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society have pursued and harassed the Japanese fleet for months to stop its harpoon ships from killing the sea mammals.

"[The factory ship] the Nisshin Maru, which has been chased by Sea Shepherd, has suspended operations since February 10 so as to ensure the safety [of the crew]," Japanese Fisheries Agency official Tatsuya Nakaoku said.

"We are now studying the situation, including the possibility of cutting the mission early," he told Agence France-Presse in Tokyo, confirming media reports, but stressing that "nothing has been decided at this point".

Anti-whaling activists have cautiously welcomed the news. "If that's true then it demonstrates that our tactics, our strategies have been successful," Sea Shepherd captain Paul Watson said, after being told of the suspension.

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Paul Watson is absolutely correct and Sea Shepherd’s strategy has been proved to be correct. Compare this with Greenpeace which has assiduously avoided getting involved in the confrontation for fear of retribution by the Japanese authorities. Instead, Greenpeace has pretended to its supporters that it is engaging in anti-whaling activities but has made its three boats are well away from the immediate area.