Iceland’s last whaler faces a threat he can’t harpoon: The EU

In Iceland, a 83-year-old millionaire whaling entrepreneur named Kristján Loftsson is facing a significant challenge that may ultimately end his industry: the European Union's ban on whale hunting. Loftsson, the owner of Iceland's sole commercial whaling company, Hvalur hf., has long sought ways to keep the country's whaling industry afloat, most recently proposing to turn whale meat into iron supplements. However, a referendum slated for August 29th could potentially put an end to his efforts.

If Icelanders vote in favor of joining the EU, the country would have to comply with EU regulations prohibiting the killing of whales. The EU's Habitats Directive specifically bans the capture or killing of cetaceans, which includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Given that Loftsson's company operates under the flag of Iceland, a "Yes" vote would effectively ban the country's whaling operations.

Loftsson's company has been engaged in commercial whaling for over seven decades, with its two ships, the Hvalur 8 and 9, having already killed over 50 fin whales this summer. Fin whales are among the largest animals on Earth, with adults measuring up to 20 meters in length and weighing more than 50 tons. The industry has faced increasing difficulties, with Hvalur hf. reporting a financial loss of approximately 3 billion Icelandic krona (€21 million) between 2011 and 2021.

The industry's decline can be attributed, in part, to Icelanders' reluctance to consume whale meat, which is not a staple in the nation's diet. Moreover, the practice is controversial even within Iceland. A government report found that Hvalur's whaling operations led to a loss of about 3 billion Icelandic krona (€21 million) over the past decade, prompting the company to explore alternative uses for the meat, such as feedstock for pigs and cattle.

In a bid to find a new market for his product, Loftsson has turned to iron supplements. He announced plans to grind fin-whale meat into powder, targeting the nearly 2 billion people worldwide suffering from anemia. "It's one of the biggest health problems in the world – lack of iron," Loftsson stated. However, despite five to six years of research, he remains uncertain about the long-term viability of this new venture.

Meanwhile, Norwegian environmental activist Arne Feuerhahn has been documenting Icelandic whaling operations for years to raise awareness about the industry's cruelty and environmental impact. As a founder of Hard To Port, an NGO dedicated to this cause, Feuerhahn has been photographing the whaling process since 2008. He emphasizes that witnessing the cruelty of animal slaughter remains deeply ingrained in his memory.