Japanese whaling ships prepared on Sunday to set to sea, with crews gathering on decks in a northern port a day ahead of Japan's first commercial whaling hunt in more than 30 years.

After decades, Japan resumes commercial whaling amid protests

Five small ships sailed out of the harbour on Monday in Japan's first commercial whale hunt in more than three decades, a move that has aroused global condemnation and fears for the fate of whales. The ships, which are set to be joined by vessels from the southern port of Shimonoseki, will spend much of the summer hunting for minke and Baird's beaked whales.

Ships set sail in Japan's first commercial whale hunt in more than 30 years

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After decades, Japan resumes commercial whaling amid protests

Ships set sail in Japan's first commercial whale hunt in more than 30 years