Australian anti-whaling protestors have rallied outside the Japanese Embassy in Canberra, calling for an end to the country's activities in Antarctic waters.

The demonstrators are calling for Japan to stop using scientific research as a cover for commercial whaling in the world's southern oceans. Clashes between Japanese ships and animal rights protestors escalated last week, when a whaling vessel collided with a boat from the Sea Shepherd conservation group.

Japan kills about 12-hundred whales each year under what it terms a scientific program.

The undertaking is conducted in international waters, but usually occurs within Australia's maritime rescue zone, which Australia considers a whale sanctuary.