SAVE THE WHALES.

Key vote lost by pro-whaling bloc.
By Richard Black BBC environment correspondent in Ulsan, South Korea

The meeting is marked by sharp division. Pro-whaling nations lost a fourth vote at the International Whaling Commission meeting - one which could have led to a resumption of commercial whaling. The proposal, drawn up by Japan, had been condemned by conservation groups as "totally unacceptable". Its adoption would have needed a majority of three-quarters at the meeting in Ulsan, South Korea.

But a simple majority in favour would have implied some moral backing for Japan's case. Earlier in the day, developing countries halted discussions for more than an hour as they protested against "bias and discrimination".

The Revised Management Scheme (RMS) is the most important issue before the IWC. It is designed to replace the current moratorium on commercial whaling, introduced in 1986 as the evidence became undeniable that many whale stocks were at critically low levels.