Iceland Delays Whale Hunt, Time to End It For Good

Fin whales living in the waters around Iceland have been given a temporary reprieve from being hunted by humans this summer. Hvalur, the top whaling company in Iceland, has postponed their hunt as a result of the earthquakes and tsunami that hit Japan earlier this year.

Iceland exploits a loophole in the International Whaling Commission’s commercial whaling moratorium by claiming their hunts are for scientific research purposes. Once the whales are slaughtered the meat is sold for consumption, primarily to Japan.

The disasters in Japan destroyed three whale processing plants and the Japanese market for whale meat is just about non-existent. Most people are trying to rebuild their lives and worry about the nuclear crisis; whale meat is a delicacy that is not high on the priority list right now.

Unfortunately, the announcement by Hvalur CEO Kristjan Loftsson does not indicate a change in policy toward the future of whaling. Just because the hunt has been postponed this summer does not mean those of us against commercial whaling can breathe a sigh of relief. Loftsson plans to reassess market conditions to see when whaling can be resumed this fall.

Kate O’Connell of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society stated in a recent press release: “It is too soon to claim victory, and Iceland's whales still face the threat of harpoons. In 2007, Iceland declared that it was ending commercial whaling, only to come back with a vengeance in 2009, targeting more whales and increasing exports.”

WDCS is not only looking to end commercial whaling but also launched a campaign last year to educate the public about their food sources. The association between the United Kingdom and eating fish and chips is strong — about 10,000 fish and chip shops strong. Yet many consumers are unaware that the fish they eat comes from companies that process whale meat for Hvalur. WDCS is asking people to boycott fish supplied from these companies to take a stand against whaling.

A whale hunter for over four decades, Loftsson has little respect for his quarry. He has publicly stated that “whales are just another fish” and if not hunted will become a pest by out-competing other fish for food. He enjoys the good salary that comes from killing fin whales; in 2008 the hunting quotas were increased, leading to outcry across the spectrum ranging from animal conservation groups, like International Fund for Animal Welfare, to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke.

O’Connell cautions that “We must remain vigilant, and not let the whalers lull the world into a false sense that all is well.” Indeed, we have been given this opportunity to speak out against whaling before Hvalur resumes their hunt. Join Greenpeace in urging Secretary Locke to employ sanctions and end Icelandic whaling forever.

Photo Credit: NOAA - Southwest Fisheries Science Center