Three anti-whaling activists were injured in a clash with Japanese whalers off the coast of Antarctica on Wednesday when the Japanese crew used grappling hooks against pursuit boats , the conservation group Sea Shepherd said in statement . The group claims crew were attacked with iron hooks . Two crew were struck with iron hooks , the group claims . It claims a third crew member was struck twice in the face with a walking stick . Sea Shepherd 's vessel Steve Irwin is attempting to disrupt Japanese whaling ships .
The group claims crew were attacked with iron hooks . Two crew were struck with iron hooks , the group claims . It claims a third crew member was struck twice in the face with a walking stick . Sea Shepherd 's vessel Steve Irwin is attempting to disrupt Japanese whaling ships .