Iceland to restart whaling for 'scientific research'

Iceland has announced that it is to restart whaling – after a 14-year hiatus – so as to carry out "further scientific research" on the mammals, the country's Fisheries Ministry has announced.

The ministry said that Iceland has been "realising the necessity" research was in order to get a "better understanding of the interactions between the different whale stocks and other marine species and the role of whales in the marine ecosystem".

Under plans submitted to the International Whaling Commission's (IWC) Scientific Committee, Iceland would take 50 sei whales, 100 fin whales and 100 minke whales annually for two years.

However, at this stage only 38 minke whales will be taken. The IWC's Scientific Committee has estimated that 43,000 minke whales in Icelandic coastal waters.

Some whale populations are in need of protection, said the Icelandic government, but the limited taking of animals from abundant populations "cannot be opposed on environmental or ecological grounds".

The statement read: "Quite to the contrary, the need for a comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem of the sea makes it imperative for us to study as much as possible all the different elements of the ecosystem, including whales.

"To ensure sustainability and to conserve the marine environment we need reliable scientific knowledge. Leaving a part of the equation out will result in getting the wrong answers."

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has voiced its "outrage" at the announcement.

IFAW President Fred O'Regan said: "There is absolutely no scientific basis for these whales to be killed. Whales already face constant threat from pollution, entanglement in fishing nets, habitat loss and other dangers."

The IFAW also warned that the Icelandic economy would suffer as a result of today's announcement. Eco-tourism to Iceland has increased dramatically in recent years, and whale watching has taken off as one of the most popular tourist pastimes in the country. The industry, which began in the country in 1995, now brings in some £5 million per year to the Icelandic economy, according to the Icelandic Whale Watching Association – with 40 per cent of all overseas visitors to Iceland taking part.

(GMcG)