Iceland allows whaling for another 5 years

Iceland has decided to extend whaling until 2029authorizing the capture (and killing) of hundreds of specimens per year.

In fact, based on the new permits granted by the outgoing government, it will be possible to kill during every hunting seasontherefore from mid-June to September, 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales. The decision sparked outrage among environmental groups and animal rights activists.

The news arrived shortly after the change of government: the interim Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson, following the recent collapse of the centre-right coalition, he issued the new permits before leaving office.

In fact, in the early elections, the Independence Party led by Benediktsson was defeated by Kristrún Mjöll Frostadóttir’s Social Democratic Alliance. Many observers believe that the outgoing government has decided to act now to guarantee the whaling sector “some predictability” for the next five years, hindering any strict regulations by the future executive.

Iceland is one of only three countries in the world, together with Japan and Norway, where commercial whaling is still permitted.

Off its coasts, the only company active in the sector – Hvalur – can only target fin whales, while the Tjaldtangi company ehf. will take care of minke whales. The other cetacean populations remain protected. Commercial whaling in Iceland dates back to 1948but in recent years internal and international pressure had led many to believe in an imminent definitive suspension of activity.

Only in 2023, the hunt had been stopped for two months after a government investigation revealed cruel killing methods that do not comply with animal welfare laws: the explosive harpoons caused prolonged agony in the captured specimens. That year, the hunting season was shortened to three weeks, with 24 fin whales killed out of a total target quota of 209. This had fueled the hope of a possible definitive stop. The choice of the outgoing government now overturns that climate of cautious optimism.

But the reactions were not long in coming. Organizations such as Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) and Icelandic environmental NGOs have condemned the decision, calling it a “step backwards” and an “abuse of power”. Some associations speak of an “offense to democracy”: in their opinion, issuing permits in this phase of political transition means ignoring the will of a growing part of the population who is calling for an end to this practice.

The data, in fact, show a change in Icelandic society. A survey conducted in 2023 by Maskina found that 51% of Icelanders are against whaling, compared to 42% in 2019. A clear signal: sensitivity towards the protection of cetaceans is increasing. Furthermore, hunting is becoming less and less profitable: international whale meat markets, particularly the Japanese one, are declining, while the Hvalur company has been operating at a loss for some time. In Japanese warehouses, tons of unsold meat remain frozen, demonstrating the economic unsustainability of this industry.

Icelandic authorities, for their part, argue that the new catch limits follow advice from the Icelandic Institute for Marine and Freshwater Research and other agencies, based on an approach defined as “sustainable” and “precautionary”. Environmentalists reject this rationale as a “smoke screen”: whales are critical to the health of marine ecosystems, contributing to ocean fertilization, carbon absorption and climate resilience. Reducing them to mere resources to be exploited, they argue, it means ignoring their key role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems in an era of global environmental crisis.

The controversial decision also risks damaging Iceland’s international image, a country often cited as a model in the sustainable management of resources and the use of renewable energy. For years, whale watching has attracted tourists from all over the world, promoting responsible tourism in harmony with marine fauna. Continuing with commercial hunting risks undermining a hard-built reputation, discouraging visitors attentive to conservation and protection of the environment.

The change in government could present an opportunity to review whale policies. But revoking or modifying the permits already issued will not be easy: a clear strategy, solid political will and the ability to manage any disputes will be needed, as well as encouraging alternative economic activities. From this perspective, the next Social Democratic administration will be called upon to make a symbolically very important choice.

The impact of whaling goes beyond Iceland’s borders: the protection of large cetaceans is a global issuewhich recalls the need to protect biodiversity and address the decline of marine ecosystems. This case reminds us that, even in countries considered to be at the forefront of environmental policies, There are still cultural legacies and traditional interests that are difficult to overcome.

For now, Iceland has established its position: another five years of whaling, until 2029, to the indignation of animal rights defenders and the dismay of those hoping for a historic turning point. The hope is that the new government knows how to interpret the signals of a changing society and can put an end to a practice considered cruel and not in line with the environmental challenges of our time.