Whalers hand over protesters

Japanese whalers are praising the Australian government for its help to resolve a stand-off with militant conservationists in the Southern Ocean.

The whalers handed over the Australian and British protesters to Australian officials overnight. The activists from the anti-whaling group the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society had been detained since Tuesday, when they boarded the Yushin Maru to deliver a letter of protest.

The Japanese ship had said it would return the pair if the society promised to keep its distance so they could continue whaling.

Glenn Inwood from the Institute of Cetacean Research says his group called on the Australian government to step in as it was clear negotiations were not working. Mr Inwood says the men were locked in a cabin, but he denies reports they were beaten.

- NEWSTALK ZB