Minister of Food, Fisheries and Agriculture Bjarkey Olsen Gunnarsdóttir has announced that a whaling licence is to be allocated to the country’s only whaling company, Hvalur hf.
Although the option was there to license whaling for a five-year period, the licence in this instance is for the current year only, for a maximum of 128 fin whales in total. According to the Ministry, this is within the limits recommended by the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute and is in line with IWC environmental guidelines.
Speaking to local media, the Minister commented that although this outcome is not in accordance with her personal opinions and the policy of her own party, she has a duty to abide by the law and regulations.
The decision immediately came in for criticism from both sides of the debate, with local unions accusing the Minister of dragging her heels in making a decision and therefore impeding this year’s hunt – while whaling opponents have criticised her for failing to follow her own convictions.
The regulations relating to this year’s whale hunt are the same as those set last year, when the previous Minister of Fisheries tightened requirements significantly. The Icelandic Food and Veterinary (MAST) has put forward proposals to strengthen the regulatory framework further. According to the Ministry, these proposals will be examined, but this does not affect the issuing of licences.
Licences are for 99 animals to be caught in waters west of Iceland, and 29 animals off the east of Iceland.
