A United States congressman is pushing for an end to Japan's annual whale hunt.

Congressman Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, has put forward a resolution in the House of Representatives calling for an end to Japan's annual whale hunt, which he describes as a "slaughter on the seas".

Japan's whaling fleet returned in March from a hunt in the Southern Ocean with a catch of 333 minke whales on board.

Japan conducts its hunt under a loophole in International Whaling Commission regulations that allows for "scientific whaling".

"So many people in my district and around the world are starting to see the Japan whale hunt for what it is, and that it is a preposterous assertion of science but really simply something to facilitate the bloodlust for whale meat," Congressman Gaetz said.

Matt Gaetz (right) plans to raise the issue of whaling with Donald Trump as soon as he can. ( Twitter: mattgaetz )

He wants to see Japan's whale hunt used as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations with the US and he plans to raise the issue with President Donald Trump as soon as he can.

"I know the President well, I've worked with him prior to his time in politics. I am very grateful for the strong relationship I have with him," he said.

"I look forward to the chance to talk with him about this issue, we haven't spoken about it yet."

He said the security alliance between Japan and the US was separate from the discussion about whaling.

"My hope is that President Trump will continue to have a strong personal relationship with Prime Minister [Shinzo] Abe and that the US and Japan will continue to have an enduring economic and military relationship," he said.

"But as part of that relationship we have to be able to point out the ludicrous position Japan has taken that their whale hunt somehow facilitates science. That is not true and we've got to be honest about that."

He believes it is the right time to raise the issue because the Japanese Government is making decisions about whether to upgrade its whale fleet to conduct its annual hunt.

He said Australia had done its bit in the fight against Japanese whaling, and now it was time the US took up the task.

"The people of Australia have been fighting this fight largely alone on the global stage and I wanted to lend my voice and the voice of the United States congress to stop the Japanese whale hunt," he said.

Japan's Fisheries Ministry did not comment. The spokesman had not heard of Mr Gaetz or his resolution.