Iceland to propose permanent ban on commercial whaling

The Icelandic government has announced plans to submit a bill in February 2027 to permanently ban commercial whaling within its territorial waters. If passed, this legislation would leave only Norway and Japan as the remaining nations in the world that permit commercial whaling.

The move follows years of pressure from animal rights organizations and the public. A 2023 government-commissioned report highlighted welfare concerns, noting that some whales took up to two hours to die after being struck by harpoons. This finding led to a temporary suspension of hunting that year.

Iceland's current whaling season, which runs from June to late September, targets fin whales, a species classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. As of September 8, 2024, 80 fin whales had been caught under a seasonal quota of 150. Currently, only one company, Hvalur, operates in the industry, holding a license valid until 2029.

Industry Minister Hana Katrin Fridrikson has supported the change, stating that existing whaling laws are outdated. While the ban is proposed, advocates note that existing commercial licenses may remain in effect until their expiration dates.