Iceland Authorizes Whale Hunting Through 2029

Iceland has granted authorization for whale hunting over the upcoming five-year period, notwithstanding existing animal welfare concerns. The recently issued permits permit the capture of 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales annually during the whaling season, which extends from June through September. This decision by Iceland’s departing conservative government has drawn condemnation from animal rights organizations and environmental advocacy groups. However, an official announcement regarding these permits stated that the licenses provide “some predictability” for the sector, and that the quotas for whales to be hunted were established following expert recommendations. Iceland remains one of only three nations globally that continues to permit whaling—the practice of hunting whales for their meat, blubber, and oil—alongside Japan and Norway. In Icelandic waters, only fin and minke whales are permitted targets, with other whale populations being safeguarded. While permits are typically issued for five-year durations, the prior authorizations concluded in 2023. During the abbreviated 2023 season, which spanned three weeks, 24 fin whales were harvested. The allocated quota for that period encompassed a total of 209 whales. Also in 2023, whaling operations in Iceland were halted for two months following a government-ordered investigation that determined the hunting methods employed violated animal welfare legislation. Surveillance conducted by the state’s veterinary agency indicated that explosive harpoons inflicted extended suffering on whales. The Hvalur, which is Iceland’s sole operational whaling vessel, had previously depended on yearly license renewals. Iceland’s environment association stated that the issuance of these new permits “violates the interests of the climate, of nature and of the well-being of animals”. Sharon Livermore, who directs the marine conservation programs at the International Fund for Animal Welfare, commented: “The few wealthy whalers of the country continue to exert their influence even in the dying hours of this interim government.” “This government should simply be holding the fort, but instead it has made a highly controversial and rushed decision.” The governing Independence Party in Iceland was defeated by the centre-left Social Democratic Alliance in snap elections held on Saturday. According to the Icelandic government’s official notification, the total allowable catch aligns with recommendations from Iceland’s Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, “which is based on sustainable use and a precautionary approach”.