(Source:Youtube/SeaShepherd)

Sea Shepherd, an Australian-based anti-whaling organization, has released a new footage of Japan's whaling practices.

The images were taken from a helicopter and showed the Japanese Antarctic whale hunt and a dead minke whale after Japanese whalers harpooned it near the tail. The footage revealed the dead whale on the deck of Japanese whaling ship, Nisshin Maru.

According to Sea Shepherd Capt. Peter Hammarstedt, the recent footage was one of the "cruelest hunts known to man." In local reports, Australian Antarctic Division Chief Scientist Nick Gales said two-thirds of whales caught by Japanese whaling ships die slowly.

Local reports said Japan has stopped sending records of its whaling hunts to the International Whaling Commission.

Meanwhile, claims and counterclaims have been made by Sea Shepherd and the Japanese whaling fleeting after their clash in the Southern Ocean. Sea Shephered said a bamboo spear was thrown at the Bob Barker to damage the ship. This is the latest allegation to have emerged in light of its recent confrontation at sea.

Anti-whaling Organization Sea Shepherd has claimed the Japanese whaling ship "attacked" its ship in the dark in what it described as a "ruthless assault."

According to reports, the Japanese whaling fleet had allegedly disabled the Sea Shepherd ship in the Southern Ocean. The anti-whaling organization based in Australia said two Japanese whaling ships had ambushed its ship, Bob Barker, on Feb 23. The Japanese whaling ships had reportedly tried to jam the Bob Barker's propellers and rubbers.

In an open letter to Australian Environment Minister Greg Hunt, the Sea Shepherd captain urged the minister to fulfill his promise during the elections and allow an observer ship in the Southern Ocean.

Hammarstedt said he is "losing hope" in the Australian government to protect Sea Shepherd ships. "When the whalers throw heavy metal objects at my crew, I instruct them to not throw anything back - not even in self-defense," the Bob Barker captain said.

He noted he has realized the "attack" on his ship happened beyond the Australian Antarctic Territory, but he appealed for the safety of his crew who were also Australian citizens and reminded Hunt of the government's responsibility.