Twenty years after a global ban, the International Whaling Commission has voted 33-32 to resume commercial whaling. While a three-quarters majority is required to overturn the ban, the vote is seen as a victory for Japan and its allies - mostly small, poor countries offering their vote in exchange for financial support.

Japan, Iceland and Norway together kill about 2,000 whales each year - despite the ban - using a loophole that allows the killing of whales for scientific purposes. Yet most of the minke whales slaughtered in Japan are destined for restaurants.

Learn more about the whales and the threats they face from commercial whaling.