THE VICTORIES OF ECOLOGY (2/7) – Harpooned for centuries, whales are now protected by international agreements. However, three countries have not completely given up hunting and new threats linked to human activities are jeopardizing the future of certain species.
While no Icelandic whaler had gone to sea since 2018, two of Hvalur Hf’s three ships left the port of Reykjavík at the start of the summer. Despite the extension of a new coastal zone, where hunting is prohibited, and the protests of many conservation associations, the last whaling company in Iceland has a quota of 161 fin whales and 217 minke whales. But, unsurprisingly, it should limit its catches to a few individuals. Because times have changed and the golden age is definitely over. Very few Icelanders still buy whale products and Hvalur Hf’s license, which will soon expire, is unlikely to be renewed next year, according to the Ministry of Fisheries, which is now questioning the issue or not new quotas from 2024.
Iceland is not the only country to still allow whaling. Norway and Japan still practice it, while…
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