Iceland kills third fin whale

Icelandic whalers have killed the third fin whale in their new, highly controversial commercial whaling programme.

The news comes just days after Iceland announced that it would return to commercial whaling, despite the international ban, targeting nine fin whales and 30 minke whales in 2006/7, in addition to their so-called ‘scientific hunt’.

Fin whales are the second largest animals on the planet and are listed as endangered by the World Conservation Union.   WDCS is deeply concerned about the current escalation in commercial whaling around the world and the push for a resumption in international trade in whale products.  Iceland’s latest actions are part of an orchestrated campaign to undermine the International Whaling Commission and recommence commercial trade.

Iceland’s announcement that it will resume commercial whaling, swiftly followed by the killing of three fin whales, has sparked heavy criticism from governments, media and individuals around the world.  Thousands of protest letters have been sent to the Icelandic Government by concerned individuals, including from WDCS supporters.  Even before the first whale was struck, the European Commission called on Iceland to reconsider its decision to resume commercial whaling. The European Environment and Fisheries Commissioners jointly expressed regret at Iceland’s decision and stated that "If it was simply a matter for the EU to decide, all commercial whaling would be abandoned once and for all” . The United States has already certified Iceland’s scientific whaling under domestic legislation as "undermining the effectiveness of the IWC", a step that could lead to trade sanctions.

This is the first time that fin whales have been hunted commercially in the North Atlantic since 1989 when Iceland killed 68 for so-called scientific research, but sold almost half the meat overseas.  Icelandic government officials and whaling industry representatives have recently indicated that Iceland is considering exporting whale meat to the Faroe Islands, a territory of Denmark, and Japan.

Iceland’s new commercial whaling season will last until next summer, and overlap with the last year of its scientific research hunt for 39 minke whales. The hunt is not expected to continue through the winter as the weather worsens.

Join our whaling campaign

Iceland believes the world has stopped caring about whales. We need to send a message loud and clear that we still care and that we do not support the resumption of commercial whaling and international trade in whale products.

Please send a protest e-mail to the Icelandic Government now - click here.
 
Please help us spread the word about the need to protect whales by telling your friends and family.
 
We can only end commercial whaling with your help – thank you

Source: WDCS