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The fleet is scheduled to set sail from Shimonoseki port in southwestern Japan for the Antarctic, where it aims to catch more than 1,000 whales before returning to port early next year, the environmental group Greenpeace said.

Among these are some 50 fin whales, which environmentalists say are endangered, and 50 humpbacks , which are favourites of whale-watchers for their distinctive silhouettes and acrobatic leaps from the water.

The remainder of the catch will consist of minke whales, which Japan says are now abundant enough to take.

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