Animal rights and environmental groups have denounced the move by Iceland’s outgoing government to issue new permits that allow 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales to be caught during each year’s whaling season, which runs from June to September.
The country is one of only three in the world that still allows whaling – where whales are hunted for their meat, blubber and oil – along with Japan and Norway. Only fin and minke whales are allowed to be hunted off Iceland, while other whale populations are protected.
The license for fin whales was given to Hvalur hf, the largest Icelandic commercial whaling company, while the minke whales can be hunted by a trawler owned by Tjaldtangi ehf.
Photo: Hard to Port
Ethical concerns
Fin whales are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Measuring up to 25 meters (85 feet) in length, they are the second-largest animal on Earth in terms of length, second only to the blue whale. Minke whales are the smallest of the “great whales”, measuring around 7 to 9 meters (22 to 29 feet) in length. Although they are not at risk of extinction, there are serious ethical concerns about the way they are hunted, as with fin whales.
In 2023 whaling was suspended in Iceland for two months after a government-commissioned inquiry concluded the methods used did not comply with animal welfare laws. Monitoring by the government’s veterinary agency showed that explosive harpoons were causing whales prolonged agony.
Iceland’s environment association said the issuing of news permits “violates the interests of the climate, of nature and of the well-being of animals”.
The Whale and Dolphin Conservation organisation said in a statement that “This decision is not just an insult to the whales who will suffer but to the majority of Icelanders who oppose whaling and have been betrayed by a government with no mandate to make such a divisive and damaging decision.”
The Icelandic Nature Conservation Association and Young Environmentalists group, Landvernd have added their name to a growing list of those that stand outraged at the decision of the outgoing government to issue the new licences. “[We express our] surprise and disapproval of the issuance of whaling licences by the management,” read a translated statement issued by the group. “This shows no respect for democracy and the issuance of the licence goes against the interests of the climate, nature, and animal welfare.”
Sharon Livermore, director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s marine conservation programmes, said: “The few wealthy whalers of the country continue to exert their influence even in the dying hours of this interim government. This government should simply be holding the fort, but instead it has made a highly controversial and rushed decision.”
The Icelandic government notice said the total allowable catch followed advice from Iceland’s Marine and Freshwater Research Institute “which is based on sustainable use and a precautionary approach”.