31.   Statistical differences about whale populations aside, some Japanese view the continuing whale ban as a thinly veiled attack by the mainly Western anti-whaling countries on its culture.

32.   The Japanese government claims the research is needed to accurately gauge whale populations and migrations.

33.   The plenary session, which starts Monday, will wrap up a conference that began late last month with scientific discussions about whale populations.

34.   The program provides information essential to resolving uncertainties about whale populations, migration and the effect of pollution, Shima said.

35.   They believe whale populations in many parts of the world are strong enough to withstand some hunting.

36.   Washington expressed concern that whale populations have declined drastically over the past decade.

37.   Whaling officials here say fishermen have seen their catches halved since the commercial whaling ban began because growing whale populations are cutting into fish supplies.

38.   Greenpeace campaigner Sarah Duthie said such a balance could be disastrous for whale populations.

39.   Greenpeace campaigner Sarah Duthie said such a move would be disastrous for whale populations.

40.   The whale population has continued to decline despite the moratorium on commercial whaling in force for the past ten years, experts of the International Whaling Commission said here.