Iceland’s last whaling company shrugs off threat of permanent ban

Iceland's last active whaling company, Hvalur, remains confident it can thrive despite a planned effort to permanently ban the practice. The Icelandic government plans to introduce a bill in February that could effectively end the industry, which would be one of only three countries, alongside Norway and Japan, that currently permit commercial whale hunts.

Hvalur operates two catcher boats and employs around 150 people during the whaling season, which runs from early June to late September. The company has already caught 85 fin whales this season, out of a quota of 150 animals.

Despite the looming ban, Hvalur's owner, Sigtryggur Loftsson, expressed confidence that the company could survive the ban. Loftsson noted that in recent decades, bills to ban whaling have been discussed in Iceland's parliament, but every time, they have failed to pass into law. He stated that he believes there is strong support for whaling in Iceland, suggesting that the company is well-positioned to continue operating.

Public opinion on whaling in Iceland is divided, with 41% of the population opposing the practice, 33% supporting it, and 26% remaining neutral. According to a June poll by state broadcaster RUV, conducted for the Icelandic Nature Conservation Association, this division reflects the complex sentiment surrounding the whaling industry in the country.

Fin whales, the primary target of Iceland's whaling industry, are classified as "vulnerable" globally by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. However, in the North Atlantic, where Iceland's fin whale population is found, the species is listed as "least concern." This discrepancy highlights the complexity of conservation efforts, as some populations may be healthy enough to sustain regulated harvesting.