The whale hunting ban has been lifted in Iceland. This decision, initially driven by animal welfare concerns, has reignited global debates on conservation and traditional practices.
Whaling Resumes Amidst Controversy
Iceland’s decision to lift its temporary ban on commercial whaling has stirred international waters. The ban, initially set in place due to animal welfare concerns, was lifted, allowing the only company with a valid whaling license, Hvalur hf, to resume its operations. However, this decision comes with stricter regulations and increased supervision.
The Whaling Debate
The temporary ban was instated after findings revealed that the killing of whales took longer than permitted by animal welfare laws. Shockingly, around 40% of hunted whales did not die instantly, with some taking up to two hours. This sparked an outcry from various environmental and animal rights groups.
The Lone Whaler’s Perspective
Kristjan Loftsson, the owner of Hvalur hf, expressed his frustration over the lost hunting season due to the ban. He mentioned that the best time for whaling had passed, and they wouldn’t continue after September. Loftsson’s sentiments reflect the tension between traditional practices and evolving global perspectives on animal rights.
The Global Perspective
Iceland, along with Norway and Japan, is one of the few countries that have allowed commercial whaling in recent years. However, Iceland is unique in permitting the hunting of longer fin whales. The international community has been vocal about their opposition to this practice. For instance, several countries, including the UK, US, and Germany, have previously condemned Iceland’s whaling policy.
Whale Hunting Ban In The News
A Glimpse of Hope?
Despite the controversy, there’s a silver lining. The whaling license held by Hvalur hf is set to expire in 2023, and it remains uncertain if the Icelandic government will renew it. Some believe that this could mark the end of commercial whaling in Iceland. Sigursteinn Masson of the International Fund for Animal Welfare optimistically stated, “I truly believe this year will be the final year of whaling in Iceland.”
Interesting Fact: Whales and Climate Change
In a twist to the tale, Kristján Loftsson suggested that hunting whales could aid Iceland in meeting its climate goals. He argued that whales exhale significant amounts of carbon dioxide, and their waste promotes algae growth in Icelandic waters. However, experts like Clare Perry from the Environmental Investigation Agency have debunked this claim, emphasizing the vital role whales play in capturing carbon from the atmosphere.
Have you heard of this Icelandic tradition? Throwing baby puffins off cliffs.
Final Thoughts
Iceland’s decision to resume whaling is a complex issue, intertwining tradition, economics, animal rights, and global politics. As the world watches, it remains to be seen how Iceland navigates these turbulent waters in the coming years.
What do you think about the whale hunting ban lifted in Iceland? Comment below.
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Tara enjoys writing about marine animals like whales, sharks, dolphins and nudibranchs.
Please send any feedback to feedback@animalsaroundtheglobe.com
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Lether
Friday 22nd of September 2023
Whales should not be hunted at all. Government should never allow a species to be haunted to Extinction. Governments take our money every day in taxes this money should be used to create jobs to protect animals it should be used to build Bridges and habitats kept alive and well for animals and protect it for animals the universities should be teaching generations of people how to live in harmony with animals we should protect them not repeat the horrible history that we've lived in the past we are smarter now we are trying to be greener we have to save the planet and our animals. The bison were hunted down for their skins years ago. The bison used to keep the grasslands in place they were an important part of the ecosystem. The green of people slaughtering animals for money is an ugly wasteful disrespectful how. Anything alive should be respected and not used for profit enslaving a species in slaughtering a species is the same as genocide of human beings this is the most despicable act and for governments to think it's okay to hunt whales and Hunt wolves and Hunt anybody else is just despicable. We should be creating jobs to help animals people should be studying the behavior of animals animals love each other animals are sacred beings just like human beings it's despicable for these countries to be allowing that and to be killing so much too much development too much rape of forest and habitats is going to end our planet in our climate. Our animals have an important role of taking care of the earth they have been here for millions of years taken care of the earth before humans came along it has to stop. All those hunters should be ashamed of themselves shamed.
Ashton
Thursday 21st of September 2023
Please end the craziness lets not kill off the ocean . People need to be protecting the ocean not killing for money.. very sad world we live in so greedy..
Ettore
Thursday 21st of September 2023
IT IS MOST DEPLORABLE THAT CERTAIN HUMAN BEING HAVE NO RESPECT FOR ANIMAL'S LIVES. I GO TO BAJA CALIFORNIA IN MEXICO GRAY WHALE WATCHING EVERY YEAR. WHALES ARE AMAZING ANIMALS, THEVSAME AS ELEPHANTS. THEY DO NOT DESERVE TO DIE BUTVTO LĹIVE. MEN HAVE KILLED ALL GRAY WHALES IN THE ATLANTIC. THERE ARE NO MORE ATLANTIC GRAY WHALES. I ALWAYS WANTED TO VISIT ICELAND. NOW, WITH NORWAY AND JAPAN, ICELAND IS ON MY BUCKET LIST OF COUNTRIES TO BE AVOIDED. ETTORE (CALIFORNIA)
Wednesday 20th of September 2023
intelligent food for intelligent people
Edward McDonald
Monday 18th of September 2023
Considering the indisputable sentience of whale's and their critical role in a healthy ecosystem it should be criminal to harm them, much less slaughter them for food. Certainly these gentle creatures demonstrate much more caring between the species than do humans. I would argue that preserving them warrants military protection given the barbarity deomstrated by these few ignorant nations that allowed this criminality.
Lether
Friday 22nd of September 2023
@Edward McDonald, I agree!!