The annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has opened, with compromise talks between pro- and anti-whaling bloc delicately poised.
The compromise "package" would see Japan trim its Antarctic hunt in return for the right to catch whales quasi-commercially in its coastal waters.
The original aim of finishing the talks by this year’s meeting has been missed.
Iceland will face criticism from anti-whaling groups for expanding its hunt of fin whales, listed as endangered.