Japans commercial Antarctic program did not start until after WWII when food was scarce in Japan and whale meat was a cheap source of protein. While Japan states they follow the global moratorium, Japan still hunts over 1500 whales a year claiming it in the name of research...

Norway resumed commercial whaling in 1993 as an attempt by the political party in power at the time to gain popularity in northern Norway. Norways whaling quota is over 900 Minke a year. Since restarting its commercial whaling, Norway has claimed that its Minke whale hunt is small-scale and traditional. In fact, Norway did not begin Minke whaling until 1930...

Icelandic whaling dates back to the 12th century. However the old tradition of whaling has turned into a commercial operation by illegally supplying endangered whale meat to Japan. Despite the international backlash and damaged EU relations Iceland continues to increase their quotas. The 2009 quota is 100 Minke and 150 endangered Fin whales...