Iceland, one of the few countries that still allows commercial whaling, could end the controversial practice by 2024 due to reduced demand and profitability.
The country’s Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Svandís Svavarsdóttir, said in an op-ed that there was little justification for whaling beyond 2024, when the current quotas expire.
She said it was “undisputed” that whaling had not had much economic significance to Iceland in recent years, with only one minke whale killed in the past three years.
“Japan has been the largest buyer of [Icelandic] whale meat, but its consumption is declining year by year. Why should Iceland take the risk of continuing fishing that has not yielded economic benefits, in order to sell a product that is in low demand?” she asked.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in its waters in 2019, after withdrawing from the International Whaling Commission (IWC), which imposed a global moratorium on whaling in 1986.
Iceland also left the IWC in 1992, but rejoined in 2002 with a reservation against the moratorium. It resumed commercial whaling in 2006, despite international criticism and pressure.
Iceland’s current quota allows for 217 minke whales and 209 fin whales to be hunted annually, despite the latter being an endangered species.
More than 1,700 minke, fin and sei whales have been killed in Iceland since the 1986 moratorium, according to data from Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), a non-profit organization.
Svavarsdóttir also pointed out that whaling had been controversial and had a negative impact on the economy, as some foreign retailers and consumers boycotted Icelandic products.
She said that whale-watching tourism had become a more successful industry than whaling, with hundreds of thousands of visitors in 2019.
The news has been welcomed by campaigners, who have been calling for an end to whaling in Iceland for many years.
“This is obviously hugely welcome news… and not before time. Icelandic whalers have killed hundreds of whales in recent years, despite almost zero domestic demand,” said Vanessa Williams-Grey of WDC.
She added that Iceland had a “unique opportunity” to become a global leader in whale conservation and protection.
– Iceland temporarily bans whaling in the name of animal welfare as support for industry wanes, Euronews, June 20, 2023
– Iceland to end whaling from 2024 amid controversy and falling demand, CNN, February 5, 2022
– Iceland whaling: Fisheries minister signals end from 2024, BBC News, February 4, 2022
– Whaling could be banned in Iceland within two years, says fisheries minister, PBN, February 15, 2022