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Japan has had its worst whaling season ever, and its all thanks to Sea Shepherd:

The haul from Japan's whaling mission in the Southern Ocean was a "record low" this year, a government minister said on Friday, blaming "unforgivable sabotage" by activists.

The hunt netted just 103 Antarctic minke whales, less than half its tally last year, and no fin whales, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said, adding it was the lowest total since "research whaling" began in 1987.

The fleet, which was again harassed by militant environmentalist group Sea Shepherd, is due to arrive back in Japan over the next few days, Hayashi told a press conference.

Say what you like about Sea Shepherd, but they are getting results. In the past three years they've reduced Japan's whale slaughter by around 80%, saving around 2,000 whales in the process. They've been so successful that the Japanese government has been reduced to stealing tsunami aid money to continue funding its whaling program. And hopefully they'll keep doing the job until there is no more whaling.