Japan's research whaling fleet is planning to kill 850 minke and 10 fin whales on its annual hunt in the Antarctic, according to the Fisheries Agency.

The six-ship fleet left Wednesday from Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, to begin this year's hunt, the agency said.

It said the fleet has a target of 850 minke whales, a relatively small and plentiful species, along with 10 of the fin species, which is larger and more rare. It will return next April.