The International Whaling Commission has opened a crucial conference with talks on a compromise between pro- and anti-whalers delicately poised.
The 85-nation agency is holding its annual meeting on the Portuguese island of Madeira.
A compromise package would see Japan trim its Antarctic hunt in return for the right to catch whales commercially in its coastal waters.
Portugal's representative at the talks told the opening session he is conscious that it will be hard to achieve agreement on all the remaining issues.
