Controversy in Iceland as Government Allows Shooting of 128 Whales
It is a long and agonizing death that many whales in Iceland suffer each year. Despite this, the government has granted permission for the hunting of 128 fin whales this summer. This number is lower than last year’s quota of 161 whales. The permit is issued to the whaling company „Hvalur hf“ in the regions of Greenland/West Iceland and East Iceland/Faroe Islands. The person responsible for this decision is Bjarkey Olsen Gunnarsdóttir, the Icelandic Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture, and Food.
The decision is based on recommendations from the Marine Research Institute (Hafró) in 2017 and a precautionary approach. The government states that it reflects a heightened focus on sustainable resource utilization.
Fin whales are classified as „endangered“ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Despite this, they are hunted in Iceland by multimillionaire Kristján Loftsson and his whaling company „Hvalur hf.“ This decision has raised concerns globally, with critics warning of potential repercussions for commercial whaling worldwide.
Currently, Iceland, Norway, and Japan are the only countries that allow commercial whaling, despite strong opposition from animal rights activists.
Minister Gunnarsdóttir acknowledges that her decision may not align with her personal beliefs or those of her party (the Left-Green Movement). However, she emphasizes the need to abide by laws and regulations.
Previous regulations required a fisheries authority supervisor to be present on every whaling vessel during the 2022 season to document all hunts. Disturbing video footage of prolonged whale deaths was made public, revealing that nearly 30% of the whales did not die immediately from harpoon shots but suffered for an average of 14 minutes. Some whales took as long as 35 minutes to die, with 24% of them being shot with multiple harpoons.
Despite ongoing concerns, the European Free Trade Association Surveillance Authority (ESA) stated that issuing licenses for whaling does not violate European law. Animal welfare issues are dismissed as EU regulations do not cover large marine mammals, including whales.