REYKJAVIK, April 12, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Iceland's only active whaling company, Hvalur hf., will not hunt whales this summer, marking the second consecutive year without a catch, according to local media reports. The decision is attributed to ongoing global economic pressures that have affected the viability of whaling operations.
Hvalur hf. informed its employees earlier this week about the cancellation of the whaling season, which typically runs from mid-June to September. Company CEO Kristján Loftsson stated, "As we see the situation, Hvalur hf. sees no other option than to stay in dock and await better times, but the situation will be reviewed next year." This announcement comes as the company has struggled to meet its quotas in recent years, a trend exacerbated by a significant decline in demand for whale meat, particularly following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hvalur's main competitor ceased whaling operations in 2020 due to the collapse of the market for whaling meat, leaving Hvalur as the last active player in Iceland's whaling industry. In 2023, despite having a whaling permit, no whales were hunted, and the company has not caught any fin or minke whales since 2022.
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions from various stakeholders. Wendy Higgins, director of the Humane World for Animals association, welcomed the news, stating, "If true, this season's whaling cancellation will spare the suffering and death of countless sentient whales for a brutal and pointless hunt that continues without moral or scientific justification. It's time that Iceland's whaling ship stopped turning the sea red once and for all. It's time for a total ban on commercial whaling." Her comments reflect a growing sentiment among animal rights advocates who have long criticized the practice of whaling.
Support for commercial whaling in Iceland has been on the decline for years. A 2024 poll conducted by Maskína, at the request of the Iceland Nature Conservation Association, revealed that more Icelanders believe whale hunting harms the country's image abroad than helps it. This shift in public opinion is significant, especially considering that Iceland, along with Norway and Japan, remains one of the few countries that still permit commercial whaling.
The whaling license granted to Hvalur by then-Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson in December 2024 was met with widespread criticism from environmentalists and animal welfare advocates. Many accused the government of ignoring public opinion, as surveys indicated a marked decrease in local support for whaling over the last decade.
As the whaling season approaches, it remains to be seen whether Hvalur will resume operations in the future. The company plans to review its situation next year, but for now, it appears that the whaling industry in Iceland faces significant challenges. With dwindling demand and increasing scrutiny from both local and international communities, the future of whaling in Iceland remains uncertain.
In the context of global conservation efforts and changing attitudes toward wildlife protection, the cancellation of this summer's whaling season may signal a turning point in Iceland's approach to whaling. The growing awareness of animal rights and the ethical implications of hunting whales could further influence public sentiment and government policy in the years to come.
As Iceland grapples with its whaling practices, it also faces the broader challenge of balancing economic interests with environmental sustainability. The cancellation of Hvalur's whaling season could serve as a catalyst for a more profound reevaluation of the country's relationship with its marine wildlife.
In conclusion, while Hvalur's decision to cancel its whaling season reflects immediate economic pressures, it also highlights a significant shift in public sentiment regarding whaling in Iceland. The future of this controversial practice remains in question as advocates call for a total ban on commercial whaling.
