Critics have long argued that Japan's scientific research whaling was, in fact, commercial hunting. In March, 2014, the United Nation's International Court of Justice agreed, ordering Japan to stop its hunt off Antarctica. However, the ruling may be only a temporary setback for Japan. The International Whaling Commission imposed a ban on commercial whaling in 1986, but it allowed the killing of some whales for scientific research. Since then, Japanese whalers have caught 10,710 Antarctic Minke whales in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica, where whales are encouraged to breed. Japan claimed the kills were necessary to study recovering populations, but the court said they were excessive. Nevertheless, Japan is likely to continue this practice. Japanese officials say they plan to redesign their research program to align with the commission's rules. "I would bet that whaling will continue as usual, although with some trivial window dressing to make it look like they are complying with the ruling," says whale researcher Phillip Clapham. If Japan, the only nation using the inconsistency in the regulations, submits an acceptable proposal to the commission, the country could resume the practice as soon as possible.