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Breaking! Iceland Makes A Move To Ban Barbaric Whale Hunting By 2024

February 4, 2022

By Lauren Lewis

Following three years of no whaling in Iceland, Svandís Svavarsdóttir, the country’s Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries, is now contemplating the fact that there is little to no justification to authorize the return of cruel whale hunts. Current permits to hunt are due to run out in 2023.

The resumption of commercial whaling in Iceland in 2006 has been controversial as many think the hunts are not serving Iceland’s larger economic interests and that they have had a negative effect on the country’s interests and reputation.

Organizations such as Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), which has long campaigned against commercial whaling of both fin and minke whales in Iceland, and the transit of fin whale meat to Japan, agree.

“Following three years with no whaling, Iceland’s Fisheries Minister Svandís Svavarsdóttir announced that there is little justification for authorizing whaling,” WDC noted in a tweet on its Twitter account. “We need each and every whale as they play a vital role in combating climate change, so we applaud her stance.”

“Our long campaign is very close to paying off with Iceland looking to #StopWhaling in 12 months,” stated a previous post .

Whaling is a cruel and outdated practice. The last hunts to take place off the coast of Iceland resulted in over 146 fin whales slaughtered, including at least two rare blue whale/fin whale hybrids and a dozen pregnant females. Whales play a huge part in maintaining a healthy ocean and helping in the fight against climate change.

“This is obviously hugely welcome news that the fisheries minister sees no future for whaling. Icelandic whalers have killed hundreds of whales in recent years, despite almost zero domestic demand, and declining interest from tourists and the Japanese market,” Vanessa Williams-Grey, WDC Icelandic whaling campaigner, said in a statement. “Killing fin whales, an endangered species and the second largest creature on our planet, is nothing short of ecocide, especially given the essential role these gentle giants play in the battle against climate change.”

As per Williams-Grey, Iceland enjoyed a fabulous whale watching season last summer.

“Iceland is one of the best places in the world to watch whales in their natural environment,” concluded Williams-Grey. “I hope this marks the start of a new and positive era for the whales in the waters around Iceland.”

You can help all animals and our planet by choosing compassion on your plate and in your glass. #GoVeg

You can help all animals and our planet by choosing compassion on your plate and in your glass. #GoVeg

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