The World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) is outraged by the news today that Iceland’s government will be issuing a new whaling license to Hvalur hf, the nation’s only commercial whaling company.
This decision, which permits Hvalur to kill 128 whales in the 2024 hunting season, could have been a crucial turning point for whaling in Iceland. The future of the inhumane industry has been in doubt following years of campaigning by the WCA partnership and others, as well as a recent report revealing the hunts’ continued animal welfare issues.
New regulations fail to improve welfare
Published in the week preceding the government’s announcement, the report by Iceland’s Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) showed no significant improvements in hunting efficiency or welfare from the 2023 whaling season compared to the previous year, despite new regulations.
Increased monitoring and stricter requirements were introduced after a previous MAST report found the 2022 whale hunts to be unlawful for failing to meet animal welfare standards. However, according to the latest findings, last year’s hunts still led to drawn-out and tortuous deaths for whales, with one individual suffering for as long as 35 minutes after being shot.
Working together to end the slaughter
A ban on this horrifying and outdated practice is long overdue, with animal rights supporters and environmentalists calling for an end to whaling for many years, including within Iceland itself.
Several WCA Partners based in Iceland are among the strongest local voices speaking out against the hunts, as well as supporting responsible tourism campaigns with the aim of educating visitors about whaling and encouraging them to boycott whale meat in restaurants.
Stefán Jón Sigurgeirsson, Managing Director at WCA Partner North Sailing, stated:
“The whole North Sailing team is extremely disappointed by the government’s decision to grant further licenses for whaling. This move threatens the survival of these magnificent creatures and undermines global conservation efforts. We remain committed to protecting whales and will continue our efforts to support this cause through initiatives like education on board our whale watching boats and by sharing our love for these amazing animals. We urge the government to reconsider and prioritize the preservation of our oceans and marine life, recognizing their invaluable contribution to the ecological balance and well-being of our planet.”
A safer future for whales is possible
Responsible whale watching is clearly the way forward for Iceland, offering a humane and sustainable future for these amazing animals. Whale watching tourism brings Iceland more than double the revenue of whaling, which has a taken a heavy toll on the country’s economy. It’s estimated that the hunts had a combined loss of three billion ISK between 2011 and 2019, demonstrating that, even in purely financial terms, there’s more value in protecting whales than slaughtering them.
The WCA is dedicated to working with likeminded partners around the world to turn the tide against whaling so that, together, we can put an end to this cruel industry for good.
Header photo by Dagur Brynjólfsson, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).
