Iceland has issued five-year permits to two whaling companies, allowing the hunting of 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales annually from June to September. This decision provides predictability to the industry but has sparked criticism, as it was made by a caretaker government.
The Whale and Dolphin Conservation called it a “black day for Iceland,” citing the decision as an insult to both whales and the Icelandic majority who oppose whaling. Iceland, along with Japan and Norway, is one of the few countries still permitting whaling for meat and oil.
The practice was paused last year due to concerns over animal welfare, as the harpoons caused prolonged suffering. Although hunting resumed with stricter regulations and oversight, environmental groups have condemned the issuance of multi-year permits, noting the fin whales’ vulnerable status according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the World Wildlife Fund.
Source: NOS