The Icelandic government signals a resumption of fin whale hunting
The Icelandic government signaled yesterday that it would not renew the temporary ban on whaling, clearing the path for fin whale hunting to resume during the upcoming summer season. The move comes amid widespread condemnation from scientists, conservation groups, and critics around the world, even as whaling continues in other nations such as Japan and Norway.
The temporary halt on Icelandic whaling began at the start of this year’s season and was extended to August 31, 2023 after an internal review showed practices did not meet the country’s own welfare standards.
OceanCare expressed disappointment as two whaling vessels remaining in Iceland prepared to depart for hunting operations. The organization emphasized concerns about animal welfare and the potential impact on marine ecosystems.
In August 2022, regular inspections by the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority, known as MAST, examined the country’s whaling activities. Of 58 samples, just over 40 percent failed to kill instantly, highlighting prolonged death times and questionable welfare outcomes.
The average time to death for the whales was 11.5 minutes. In one instance, the two killed animals required four shots; one animal took nearly an hour and the other about two hours to die.
Based on these findings, authorities concluded that whaling did not meet the Icelandic Animal Welfare Act and the ban was extended until August 31, 2023.
The government recalibrates its stance
The announcement yesterday also signaled the introduction of stricter regulations intended to address the welfare concerns raised by the inspections. The decision implies that Iceland will resume whaling, subject to these new rules and the practical realities of the season.
OceanCare warned that the renewed activity could trigger a rush to hunt as many whales as possible before the new deadline, raising concerns about welfare and conservation outcomes. The organization urged careful monitoring and independent oversight to ensure compliance with the enhanced standards.
This choice is likely to influence the broader public debate over Iceland’s whaling future, especially as the country prepares to set quotas for the coming years later this year.
Over 100 whales killed in a month
Officials and observers alike lament the continuation of this practice. OceanCare’s Nicolas Entrup, Director of International Affairs, expressed strong disappointment, arguing that current policies and external evidence presented to the government conflict with the continued hunt. He warned that Icelandic whalers might struggle to meet the newly imposed standards and that enforcement would be critical in the season ahead.
Past years show a halt in fin whale killings in 2019, 2020, and 2021, followed by a revival in 2022 with multiple animals killed within a single season. The season typically spans from mid-June to mid-September in the Northern Hemisphere summer, creating pressure to complete as many kills as possible within a short window.
The fin whale, listed as a species of concern on the IUCN Red List, faces ongoing threats beyond hunting, including vessel strikes, fishing gear entanglement, plastics, and ocean noise. The population is regarded as a fraction of its former size, adding urgency to conservation concerns raised by researchers and advocacy groups.
Proponents of whale watching and habitat protection emphasize that reducing harm to marine mammals benefits ecosystems and aligns with broader international commitments to protect vulnerable species. Critics, however, argue for the economic and cultural significance of whaling in some communities, creating a contentious policy landscape that will continue to unfold in Iceland and beyond.
Additional matters, such as the long-term viability of fin whale populations and the balance between tradition and animal welfare, remain central to the ongoing debate. Stakeholders continue to monitor the situation as authorities evaluate quotas and enforcement practices for the next several years.
For further information and official statements, inquiries are directed to the appropriate government environmental department channels, as noted by separate government communications and environmental authorities.