Iceland has approved whale hunting for the next five years, despite ongoing concerns over animal welfare.
Under the new licenses, whalers can catch up to 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales annually during the June-to-September whaling season.
The decision has sparked criticism from animal rights and environmental groups, but an official notice justified the move, stating that the permits offer “predictability” for the industry. The quotas were reportedly set based on scientific recommendations.
Iceland remains one of only three countries—alongside Japan and Norway—that still permit whaling for meat, blubber, and oil. Fin and minke whales are the only species allowed to be hunted in Icelandic waters, while other whale populations remain protected.
The previous five-year permits expired in 2023. During that shortened whaling season, which lasted just three weeks, 24 fin whales were killed out of a quota of 209. The season was disrupted after a government-commissioned inquiry found that the methods used for hunting did not comply with animal welfare standards. Investigations by the veterinary agency revealed that explosive harpoons caused prolonged suffering to the animals.
Iceland’s sole operational whaling company, Hvalur, has relied on annual license renewals since the previous permits expired.
The move to reauthorize whaling has drawn backlash. Iceland’s Environment Association condemned the decision, calling it harmful to the climate, nature, and animal welfare. Sharon Livermore, from the International Fund for Animal Welfare, criticized the outgoing conservative government for making a “controversial and rushed decision” instead of simply maintaining the status quo during its final days.
The government defended the permits, citing advice from Iceland’s Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, which recommended quotas based on a “sustainable use and precautionary approach.”
