Japan has suspended its annual Antarctic whale hunt following protests from a campaign group.

因一个运动组织的抗议，日本暂停今年南极鲸鱼的捕捞活动。

Activists¹ from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a US-based environmental group, have been chasing the Japanese fleet's mother ship.

An official at the country's fisheries agency said whaling had been halted "for now" because of safety concerns.

Japan is only one of three states to hunt whales. Its government insists it is an important cultural tradition.

"Putting safety as a priority, the fleet has halted scientific whaling for now. We are currently considering what to do hereafter（将来） ," said Tatsuya Nakaoku, an official at the fisheries agency told Reuters news agency.

It is unclear whether the entire hunt will be called off.

Activists ships have been harrying²（折磨，骚扰） the fleet for weeks.

A statement on the organisation's website said one of its boat has been blocking the main ship's stern（船尾，末端） loading ramp³（装载台） , preventing any harpooned⁴（鱼叉） whales being loaded on to the ship.

Japan's fleet comprises（包含） 180 people on four ships which aim to cull⁵（精选，采集） some 850 minke whales in Antarctic waters during the southern winter season.

Commercial whaling has been banned worldwide since 1986. Japan introduced scientific whaling, arguing that it had a right to watch the whales' impact on its fishing industry.