Burning whaler threatens penguin breeding ground

WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- A Japanese whaling ship crippled by fire drifted off the world's largest penguin breeding grounds Friday, and New Zealand alerted other countries it may need help if the vessel leaked oil into the pristine Antarctic waters. A Japanese fisheries official said that the blaze could force an early end to the season's whale hunt. One crewmember was missing from the 8,000-ton Nisshin Maru, which had started to list from water pumped aboard to fight the fire. The fire was contained below decks but continued to burn, said New Zealand Conservation Minister Chris Carter. No oil had spilled and the vessel was in no immediate danger of sinking, officials said. Carter contacted his counterparts in Japan, Australia, United States and Britain -- other signatories to the Antarctic Treaty with responsibility for protecting its environment -- in case "an international environmental response is needed," ministerial spokesman Nick Maling said.Full story at