BREAKING: Iceland defies world opinion and resumes commercial whaling on fin and minke whales.
In a deplorable move, the Icelandic government has today issued 5-year licences for the resumption of whaling of both fin whales and minke whales in the North-east Atlantic.
PRESS COMMENT – 5 December 2024
Iceland defies world opinion and resumes commercial whaling on fin and minke whales
In a deeply shocking, sudden and surprising move, the Icelandic minister for food, Bjarni Benediktsson, has today issued licences for the resumption of whaling of both fin whales and minke whales in the North-east Atlantic. Even more remarkably, these licenses have been issued for a full five years.
Mark Simmonds, OceanCare’s Director of Science, comments as follows:
"This is a deplorable decision. Over recent years we have seen public opinion in Iceland itself shift significantly away from support for this cruel activity. Public opinion now indicates that the majority of the population oppose whaling. The government has also run various review processes and, through this, the cruelty inherent in the hunting has become clear. Put simply these huge animals, when struck with a harpoon, can take a very long time to die.
"So, it is very surprising that despite this evidence, and the internal review processes, the government has made this decision. It is a huge step backwards. Fin whale meat in particular is very valuable in the Japanese marketplace, and this is the driver for this ongoing cruelty."
ENDS
Media contact
- Dániel Fehér, Head of Press, OceanCare: +49 176 81434026; dfeher@oceancare.org
Further Information
- Briefing OceanCare et al.: Commercial Whaling: Fallen Out of Time (24/09/2024)
- Web Article by Mark Simmonds, OceanCare’s Director of Science: Whaling Update: When International Regulation Gets Ignored (27/06/2024)
- OceanCare Press Release: Iceland’s decision to issue new whale killing quota condemned by conservation experts (11/06/2024)
- Web Article by Mark Simmonds, OceanCare’s Director of Science: Fin Whales Back in the Harpooner’s Sights Across the World (06/06/2024)
- Web Article by Mark Simmonds, OceanCare’s Director of Science: The Iceland Whaling Saga continues (26/09/2023)
- Web Article by Mark Simmonds, OceanCare’s Director of Science: Icelandic Veterinary Authorities Speak Out Strongly on the Cruelty of Whaling (16/05/2023)
- Blog by Mark Simmonds, OceanCare’s Director of Science: https://www.oceancare.org/en/stories_and_news/whaling-fin-whales/ (09/06/2024)
About OceanCare
OceanCare is an international marine conservation non-governmental organisation, founded in Switzerland in 1989. The organisation pursues the protection and restoration of the marine environment and marine wildlife with a strong policy focus, combining research, conservation projects and education. OceanCare’s remit includes marine pollution, climate change, marine mammal hunting and the environmental consequences of fisheries. Its work is supported by a team of scientific, legal and policy experts, and involves strategic collaboration with civil society organisations and coalitions around the world. OceanCare is an officially accredited partner and observer to several UN conventions and other international fora. www.oceancare.org --
OceanCare Dániel Fehér, Head of Press Gerbestrasse 6 CH-8820 Waedenswil - Switzerland +49 176 81434026 dfeher@oceancare.org www.oceancare.org