Iceland's whale ships return with empty holds

Three Icelandic ships which were sent on a whaling mission following the country's controversial decision to begin the practice after a 14-year hiatus have returned to port today with empty holds.

The ships' crews complained that their hunt went awry due to the flotilla of protesters and onlookers which following them throughout.

One captain complained that some protesters had manoeuvred their boats so as to put them between the whalers and their quarry.

Iceland said on August 6 that it would restart limited whaling so as to carry out "further scientific research" on the mammals.

Iceland's fisheries ministry said that it was "realising the necessity" of research 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 anticipates taking 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 up to September 30. The IWC's Scientific Committee has estimated that 43,000 minke whales are in Icelandic coastal waters.

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."

(gmcg)