NEW : Australian official makes research possible without hunting whales . Australia has filed suit with international court over Japan 's whaling practices . Japan says decision to head to Australia ` ` regrettable '' International law on hunting whales for scientific research .
NEW : Australian official says research possible without killing whales . Australia has filed suit with international court over Japan 's whaling practices . Japan says decision to head to court `` regrettable '' International moratorium allows hunting whales for scientific reasons .