Iceland has made it known that summertime whaling restrictions will be lifted, allowing whaling to resume in compliance with a newly established set of principles.The suspension was initially announced in June 2023, following a report by the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority that highlighted the inhumane treatment of whales by Icelandic sailors. The suspension was supposed to be a step towards phasing out commercial whaling in the country. The government has decided to allow whaling to remain, and established new legislation to make the procedure seem more humane.
Amid the recent regulations, whaling vessels must remain within a 25 meter radius, intending to minimize harm to the whales.Killing whales when a calf is present is also prohibited, and controversial methods such as electrification have been outlawed. Despite these rules, animal rights collectives have articulated their dissatisfaction and harshly judged the determination.
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) expressed disappointment in the decision and stated that it would condemn many whales to unnecessary suffering. They pointed out that banning electricity as a killing method was a positive step, as it is not an effective method of euthanasia. The representatives made clear that no viable or ethical means exists to slaughter whales in the ocean, and even with the newer regulations in place, they will still suffer. Similarly, an anti-whaling campaigner at Whale and Dolphin Conservation called the new measures "pointless and irrelevant" and emphasized that there is no acceptable way to kill whales.
At present, Iceland has only one remaining whaling company, Hvalur, which commercially hunts fin whales – a species listed as vulnerable to extinction on the IUCN Red List. There is a chance that the government may decline to authorize Hvalur to whale in upcoming seasons, giving us hope. Animal rights organizations are hopeful that this decision will not be renewed, and the push to end all commercial whaling in Iceland will continue.
In conclusion, Iceland's decision to lift the summer suspension on whaling and allow hunting to resume under new regulations has disappointed animal rights groups. Despite the introduction of measures to make whaling appear more humane, campaigners argue that there is no acceptable way to kill whales at sea and that they will continue to suffer. The future of commercial whaling in Iceland remains uncertain, as the government has the power to refuse permits in future seasons. The fight to end all commercial whaling in Iceland will persist.