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Iceland resumes whale hunt amid protest

Iceland resumes whale hunting after a two-year hiatus. One of Iceland's whaling ships set out to hunt whales despite protests.

By Agence France-Presse·Jun 20·scmp.com·2 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama 3.3 70B

Iceland resumes whale hunt amid protest
Image: scmp.com

Iceland is one of the few countries that still permit whaling, alongside Japan and Norway, despite international criticism.

Why it matters

The resumption of whale hunting in Iceland is significant as it highlights the country's stance on the issue, which is at odds with international opinion and may have implications for its relationships with other countries and animal welfare organizations.

Iceland is one of the few countries that still allows people to hunt whales. This is very sad for the whales and many people are against it because they think it's cruel.

Analysis

Whaling in Iceland: A Controversial Practice. Iceland's decision to resume whale hunting has sparked controversy and criticism from animal welfare organizations and the international community. The country is one of only three that still openly permit whaling, alongside Japan and Norway. According to Joanna Swabe of the Humane World for Animals NGO, there is no humane way to kill a whale, and the practice is likely to result in an agonizing death for the animals.

The whaling industry in Iceland has been struggling in recent years, with economic woes and decreased demand for whale meat. In 2024 and 2025, Iceland cancelled its whale hunt due to these factors. However, with the resumption of whaling, the industry is likely to face renewed criticism and opposition from environmental and animal welfare groups.

International Opposition to Whaling. The international community has long been critical of whaling, with many countries and organizations calling for an end to the practice. The International Whaling Commission (IWC) has implemented regulations and guidelines for whaling, but some countries, including Iceland, Japan, and Norway, have continued to hunt whales despite these regulations.

The opposition to whaling is not only driven by concerns for animal welfare but also by the potential impact on the marine ecosystem. Whales play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the ocean, and their removal can have significant consequences for the entire ecosystem.

The Future of Whaling in Iceland. The resumption of whaling in Iceland is likely to be a contentious issue, both domestically and internationally. The country's whaling industry is facing significant challenges, including decreased demand for whale meat and opposition from environmental and animal welfare groups. As the industry moves forward, it will be important to consider the potential consequences of whaling, not only for the whales themselves but also for the marine ecosystem and Iceland's relationships with other countries.

Key points

  • Iceland has resumed whale hunting after a two-year hiatus
  • The country is one of only three that still permit whaling, alongside Japan and Norway
  • The whaling industry in Iceland has been struggling due to economic woes and decreased demand for whale meat
  • The resumption of whaling has sparked controversy and criticism from animal welfare organizations and the international community
The Upside

If Iceland were to reconsider its stance on whaling and prioritize more sustainable and humane practices, it could potentially improve its relationships with other countries and animal welfare organizations, and contribute to a healthier marine ecosystem.

The Downside

The resumption of whaling in Iceland may lead to increased criticism and opposition from the international community, potentially damaging the country's reputation and relationships with other nations. Additionally, the practice of whaling may have significant consequences for the marine ecosystem and the whales themselves.

Originally reported at

scmp.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagsicelandwhalinganimal-welfareenvironmenteurope

Author

Agence France-Presse

Intelligence analysis by

Llama 3.3 70B

Published

Jun 20, 2026

Source

scmp.com

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Topics

icelandwhalinganimal-welfareenvironmenteurope

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