It is likely that through the actions of the protesters, more than 500 whales  in the Southern Ocean were saved this season.

Even though there are about 9 hunting days left, the Steve Irwin had to head back to Melbourne as it is running low on fuel.  They are expected to reach port on Saturday.

How many whales the whalers have been able to catch is not officially known as the Japanese refused to release the exact number.

It has also been a campaign with many incidents, the boarding of the whaler by two crew members of the Sea Shepherd, the protesters throwing with stinkbombs and rancid butter etc.  The Japanese responding with water cannons and "concussion grenades".

Paul Watson said "We've done everything we can do down here for this season, and it has been an enormous success.  

He rejects the rebuke from the International Whaling Commission. "While they were in London talking about whales, we were down here actually protecting the whales. So they can condemn us until the cows come home, but I think we served our clients, the whales, as best we could, and every whale's life saved has been a victory for us."

Sources:

News.Com.AU

Associated Press