Controversy over Iceland’s concession to hunt 128 whales

The federal government of Iceland This Tuesday, it granted authorization for Hvalur, the one whaling firm within the nation, to seize 128 whales throughout the present season. This resolution has generated sturdy criticism from environmental organizations.

The Minister of Meals of Iceland, Bjarkey Olsen Gunnarsdóttir, introduced that the corresponding allow has been granted on the finish of a gathering of the Council of Ministers, in response to the Icelandic public radio and tv channel RÚV.

Gunnarsdóttir, who belongs to the Inexperienced Left Motion, said that the choice made doesn’t essentially align along with his personal perspective or that of his political social gathering. Nonetheless, she pressured that she has the duty to adjust to the legislation and present rules.

Iceland grants permission to hunt 128 whales

The granted allow is legitimate for the 2024 season and authorizes the looking of 99 whales within the Greenland/Western Iceland area, in addition to the looking of 29 whales within the East Iceland/Faroe Islands area.

The Icelandic Animal Welfare Affiliation expressed its disappointment with the choice made by the Meals Minister. As well as, the affiliation reiterated its demand that reforms or repeals be made to the present legal guidelines on whaling.

“Whaling is an entire waste of time in a contemporary society,” the group stated in a press release.

Regardless of this, it is a unhappy day for animal welfare in Iceland.

Final 12 months, the previous Minister of Meals, Svandís Svavarsdóttir, suspended the looking season sooner or later earlier than its begin, based mostly on the opinion issued by a council {of professional} animal welfare consultants.

Nonetheless, authorities later decided that the earlier minister’s resolution didn’t adjust to the legislation. Consequently, a brand new looking season was approved in August, albeit beneath stricter circumstances, which was prolonged till the top of the 12 months.

Iceland, Norway and Japan are the one nations that keep industrial whaling exercise. The species that’s captured in Iceland is the fin whale or fin whale, which is listed within the endangered class.

(With data from EFE)

Icelandic Animal Welfare Affiliation disagrees with the permission granted to hunt whales.

The fin whale is in peril of extinction.

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