OPPONENTS of Japanese whaling are pointing to a reported cut in the coming Antarctic season's quota as evidence that the struggling industry is in retreat.

The Antarctic minke whale quota this summer will be reduced from 850 to 700, according to the respected Asahi Shimbun newspaper.

The federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, said that if the report was accurate, the change would be the first reduction in the target since 1987.

"But the Government's objective remains: bringing an end to all commercial whaling, including whaling in the name of science," he said yesterday.

The whales campaign co-ordinator for Greenpeace International, Sara Holden, said: "We are seeing the beginning of the end of whaling in the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary."

The Asahi report cited opposition from Australia and other countries, protests in the Southern Ocean and a slump in domestic consumption of whale meat among reasons for the cut. Japan sets its own quota for "scientific research" under International Whaling Commission rules.

Last season Japan told the commission it had taken 551 whales, fewer than it expected, because of "relentless interference" from environmentalists and Australia's official surveillance of the fleet.

This year it apparently still plans to take 50 fin whales. Commission scientists heard that the whalers had trouble finding the fins last season. Processing the giant animals was also difficult.

The fleet is expected to depart for the Antarctic within days, but without the usual fanfare. A traditional public farewell is not expected, according to a Greenpeace whales campaigner, Reece Turner.

He said the industry was also troubled by the announcement that a high-profile whale meat shop in Tokyo would close in 2010 because of financial problems. And for the first time, the fleet would not be 100 per cent Japanese-crewed because of resignations of former crewman.

Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research was not available for comment.