The Japanese fisheries ministry said Friday that the country's whaling season in the Antarctic Ocean has ended and catch of the whale hunting hit record low due to obstruction of anti-whaling group, local media reported.

A total of 103 Antarctic minke whales were hunted during the 48- day sail, compared with 266 of this kind in 2012, and no fin whale was caught, according to Japan's Kyodo News Agency, citing the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi.

The catch amount was the lowest since Japan began to hunt whales under the banner of scientific research in 1987 because of obstruction of anti-whaling group, the Sea Shepherd, and the delay of the hunting fleet's departure, said the minister.

Japan's whaling is controversial as animal protecting groups and many countries say Japan's so-called scientific research whaling is a cover for commercial whaling. Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)