Whalers leave Japan without fanfare

INNOSHIMA, Japan, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- A Japanese whaling ship has left harbor and is heading for Antarctic waters to participate in the controversial summer whale hunt, officials said.

The Nisshin Maru left its port of Innoshima, Japan, without the usual fanfare that marks the beginning of whaling season, the Japan Fisheries Agency told reporters Monday. The BBC reported the ceremonies were canceled due to concerns about anti-whaling protests.

The agency said the Nisshin Maru and a contingent of catcher boats have set a goal of 935 minke and 50 fin whales during the Southern Ocean summer, identical to last year's catch allowed under regulations permitting whale hunting for scientific research.

The anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd Conservation Society told the BBC it hopes to disrupt the hunt again -- last year it claimed responsibility for limiting the Japanese fleet to making only half of its stated whale catch quota.