For the year 2011 the quota is set at 1286 Minke whales.
Japan caught about 400 minke whales under the scientific research exemption last year.
Norway has announced that it is to kill between 300 and 800 minke whales this year.
An additional 136 minke whales are hunted by Norway for "research."
Following the moratorium, most hunting of common minke whales ceased.
This year the Norwegian government has allowed a catch of 160 minke whales for commercial purposes.
Iceland's research whaling program continued from 2003 to 2007 taking a total of 200 minke whales.
Small minke whales sometimes poked their heads out to see the advancing monster.
The common minke whale differs from the Antarctic variety in several aspects.
It will examine the stomachs of 38 minke whales to see what fish they have eaten.
