Iceland temporarily suspends whaling after animal welfare report

Published 2023년 6월 22일

Tridge summary

The Icelandic government has suspended whaling until the end of August due to concerns over animal welfare and non-compliance with animal welfare laws. This decision, following a report by a government commission and amidst declining demand for whale meat, is expected to mark the end of the country's whaling tradition. The only hunting company in Iceland, Khvalur, has announced its intention to halt operations due to financial losses. A significant portion of the population is against whaling, with support growing from 42% to 51% in the past four years. Recent videos documenting the prolonged suffering of a hunted whale have further fueled public opposition.

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Original content

The Icelandic government has suspended whaling until the end of August in the name of animal welfare, it announced Tuesday, ending the controversial tradition. "I have made the decision to suspend whaling until August 31," Icelandic food minister Svandis Svavarsdóttir said after a government commission report found that whaling does not comply with animal welfare laws. “If the government and (hunting) permit holders cannot guarantee social security requirements, there is no future for this activity,” the minister added, implying that this practice is coming to an end. The only hunting company in the country, Khvalur, has previously said that this season will be its last due to declining profitability. The whaling season in Iceland runs from mid-June to mid-September, but is unlikely to resume after August 31st. Hvalur's ships would eventually remain moored in the port of Reykjavík. Annual quotas allow hunting 209 fin whales - the second longest marine mammal after the blue whale - ...

Source: Fishretail