Japan's whaling organisation has released images it says reveals the truth about alleged attacks against anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd's ships.
Sea Shepherd said three Japanese harpoon vessels launched a protracted attack against vesselts Steve Irwin and Bob Barker in the Southern Whale Sanctuary on Saturdaywith one hitting the bow of the Bob Barker.
Bob Barker captain Peter Hammarstedt called the attacks premeditated, unprovoked and completely ruthless.
But a spokesperson for the Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research spokesperson , Glenn Inwood told Radio New Zealand's Morning Report programme images and video of the incident shows it was the Japanese vessels which were targeted.
Mr Hammarstedt told Morning Report the actions of the Japanese broke international maritime safety laws and were intended to slow the vessels down.