Iceland plans return to whaling: A step backwards for ocean protection
- Imminent restart of commercial whaling: After years of halted seasons, it is reported that Iceland’s only fin whaling company is already preparing its vessels
- Up to 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales might be killed in 2026: The current self-allocated quota would allow for up to 2’000 whales to be killed through commercial whaling over five years without further political approval
- Whaling in European waters, despite the global whaling ban: It is reported that Norway’s whaling season is already underway, with catches already higher compared to last year.
After years of hope by conservationists to see Iceland end commercial whaling once and forever, it is reported that the fin whaling fleet is getting ready to start commercial whale hunts this season. Following several years of halted and disrupted seasons, whaling could resume at any time under existing five-year permits (2025–2029), without further government approval.
These self-allocated catch quota allow for 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales to be killed during each year’s whaling season.
OceanCare strongly condemns these plans and calls on the Icelandic government to immediately halt all preparations for commercial whaling and revoke existing permits.
Mark Simmonds, Director of Science at OceanCare, says:
“The decision by the whaling company to resume whale killing – despite all that has happened in the intervening few years in the nation, including that it is now clear that more than 50% of the population oppose its whaling – is bitterly disappointing. Commercial whaling is an outdated and unjustifiable practice. Killing whales for commercial purposes in the 21st century is neither necessary nor acceptable, particularly given the serious and unresolved animal welfare concerns.”
Nicolas Entrup, Director of International Relations at OceanCare, adds:
“Whales face so many threats. Are we humans that stubborn to not end the one practice which is unnecessary, cruel and useless? Commercial whaling stands against internationally agreed provisions, threatens vulnerable whale populations and causes animals to suffer. Iceland should do better and we are convinced the majority of Icelandic people agree with that view!
Global whaling ban undermined
At a time when global efforts are focused on strengthening ocean protection and international commitments are made to avert biodiversity loss, the potential resumption of commercial whaling directly undermines international commitments and the global commercial whaling moratorium established by the International Whaling Commission (IWC).
Despite the international ban on commercial whaling in place since 1986, Iceland continues to operate outside the global consensus by maintaining a reservation to the moratorium and engaging in commercial hunts, primarily targeting fin whales for export to Japan.
Permits enable large-scale whaling
Under the current self-allocated five-year commercial permits, Iceland has authorised the annual killing of 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales, amounting to more than 2,100 whales between 2025 and 2029. Fin whales are classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
No commercial whaling for fin whales occurred in Iceland between 2019 and 2021. In 2022, 148 fin whales were killed. In 2023, 24 fin whales died, in 2024 and 2025, the whaling season was cancelled.
But as long as the permits remain in place, no further political decision is required for whaling to resume – making the current situation particularly urgent. It is reported that the country’s only fin whaling company, Hvalur hf., is already preparing its vessels for the upcoming summer season while the official quota advice from the responsible Institute is still pending.
The scale of the five-year commercial permits (2025-2029) highlights the industrial nature of modern whaling operations, driven in part by export demand, particularly from Japan. Local demand is low for both fin and minke whale meat.
Severe animal welfare concerns
Commercial whaling relies on explosive-tipped harpoons to kill whales. However, evidence shows that it is frequently not the case that the animals are killed instantly.
Data from the 2022 Icelandic whaling season indicate that 41% of whales did not die immediately, with a median time to death of 11.5 minutes. In some cases, whales took more than an hour to die.
New regulations introduced in 2023 aimed to improve conditions, including requirements related to weather and visibility. However, these measures are widely considered insufficient to address the fundamental welfare issues inherent to the practice.
The potential resumption of whaling in Iceland comes amid renewed activity elsewhere in European waters. It is reported that Norway’s whaling season is already underway, with three vessels currently hunting and 45 minke whales killed as of early this week – compared to nine whales at the same time last year.
Media contact
Anton Mattmüller, International Media Relations Officer, OceanCare
amattmueller@oceancare.org, +43 681 106 19366
About OceanCare
OceanCare is an international marine conservation non-governmental organisation, founded in Switzerland in 1989. The organisation pursues the protection and restoration of the marine environment and marine wildlife with a strong policy focus, combining research, conservation projects and education. OceanCare’s remit includes marine pollution, climate change, marine mammal hunting and the environmental consequences of fisheries. Its work is supported by a team of scientific, legal and policy experts, and involves strategic collaboration with civil society organisations and coalitions around the world. OceanCare is an officially accredited partner and observer to several UN conventions and other international fora. www.oceancare.org