Iceland Returns to Whaling Amid Protests
By Mark J. Palmer
September 1st was an ominous day for endangered fin whales in the North Atlantic Ocean. Iceland’s ban on whaling ended, and, after protests delayed the sailings, two whale catcher boats set out to kill these whales, the second largest whales on Earth.
The setback came after months of expectation that the Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Svandís Svavarsdóttir, would end commercial whaling due to the violations of Icelandic humane laws and to the questionable benefits of whaling to Iceland’s economy.
Within two weeks she had reversed course a bit. On September 14th, the Ministry decided to suspend one of the two whaling vessels, due to concerns that a fin whale the whalers killed had to be struck by two exploding harpoons in order to kill him, resulting in prolonged agony for more than half an hour. The suspension is temporary pending Hvalur’s “fixing” the problem.
Last year, Minister Svavarsdóttir had raised anti-whaling hopes when she wrote in an op ed for the publication Morgunblaðið that whaling was likely to end for that country. "It must be demonstrated that it is economically justifiable to renew whaling rights. In a historical context, these whale hunts have had a negative effect on the country's export interests," the minister wrote.
Her op ed concluded: "All things being equal, there is little justification for authorizing whaling after 2024. This year, an assessment will be made of the potential macroeconomic and social impact of such a decision."
Current whaling permits for Iceland end this year and must be renewed by the Ministry for continued whaling in 2024 and beyond. Iceland’s whaling and sale of whale meat to Japan violates the rules of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). But Iceland has taken a formal objection to the IWC’s moratorium on commercial whaling and so is not bound by the decision of the IWC.
Despite opposition, whaling went forward in 2022, with virtually all of the meat from 148 endangered fin whales exported to Japan. But research on the hunt for that summer resulted in a shocking report released in early 2023: The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority, which conducted the study, reported that of 58 instances examined, 36 whales had to be harpooned more than once. Only 35 of the 58 monitored fin whales died instantly – average time from being shot with an exploding harpoon and death was 11.5 minutes. Two whales took more than an hour to die.
On June 20, 2023, before the new whaling season began, Minister Svavarsdóttir announced: “I have taken the decision to suspend whaling” until 31 August.
“If the government and licensees cannot guarantee welfare requirements, these activities do not have a future,” Minister Svavarsdóttir explained.
While opponents of whaling, including many Hollywood stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Jason Momoa, and Hillary Swank, the International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute, and other organizations, praised the pause in whaling and urged that the ban be made permanent. But other parties in Iceland began to push back.
The last whaling company in Iceland, Hvalur, is owned by one of the richest men in Iceland, Kristján Loftsson, who has strong ties to Iceland’s Parliament. Minister Svavarsdóttir received objections from supporters of whaling, including reportedly threats against her legislative agenda in the Icelandic Althing (parliament), and so, apparently, she buckled. The ban on whaling ended August 31st and was not extended.
Hvalur vessels immediately prepared to go whaling for endangered fin whales, but were hung up for 33 hours by two brave women activists – Elissa Bijou and Anahita Babaei – who climbed the masts and chained themselves in the crow’s nests, defying whalers and police. Icelandic citizens also mounted a major public demonstration in opposition to the whaling.
Nonetheless, the activists were pushed aside, and the two Hvalur vessels sailed. To date, 14 fin whales have been killed by the whalers. As inclement fall weather moves into the North Atlantic, whaling will likely end in a few weeks.
It is still uncertain as to whether the Ministry will issue new permits for 2024 and beyond. The Ministry, under fire by whaling supporters, may well cave to the pressure. Pro-whale activists in Iceland are countering as best they can.
The company True North, which works with major Hollywood studios on productions in Iceland, has filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction to stop the whaling, contending that Hollywood actors and directors will not do business in Iceland as long as whaling continues. The lawsuit further addresses the importance of whales to the marine ecosystem as well as concerns about violations of animal welfare laws. Some Icelandic political parties are introducing legislation in the Althing to end whaling by legislation.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Urge her to end Iceland’s commercial whaling industry, for the good of whales and for the oceans. Iceland does not need the whale meat, and killing whales deprives the ocean of the ecological benefits of whales, including sequestering carbon and circulating nutrients for the health of the ocean ecosystem.
Minister Svavarsdóttir has indicated skepticism about continued Icelandic whaling, but her position is under fire. Help encourage her to protect the fin whale!
Thanks for your help.
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With your support, we can continue to push for an end to commercial whaling. Japan, Iceland and Norway continue to kill whales for meat and byproducts, at the expense of these sentient ocean beings and our oceans’ health. There is no place in our modern world for commercial whaling. Please donate to end commercial whaling and protect the whales in our oceans. Thank you!
