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In defiance of the moratorium implemented by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1986, three nations have continued commercial whaling: Japan under the guise of "scientific research," Norway, through a formal objection to the moratorium by which they are legally allowed to ignore the law, and Iceland, through a formal objection to the moratorium and under the guise of "scientific research."
In 2008, Japan set a quota for itself of 1,000 whales (fin whales and minkes; humpbacks were originally included on the list of targets but later earned a reprieve). Norway intended to kill 1,052 minkes and Iceland, 40 minkes. The same year, whale advocates were alarmed to learn that Norway and Iceland had exported whale meat to Japan for the first time in two decades.
With so many other threats facing these animals, including global warming, pollution, and ship strikes, allowing whaling to continue is unconscionable. This activity, so wrong on both environmental and animal welfare grounds, has been condemned by the rest of the world. It is hard to understand why these three countries persist with an agenda that tarnishes their green, modern images so badly.
HSI is working to halt commercial whaling in any form by negotiating with these and other nations at the IWC, putting pressure on governments through their connections with corporations, targeting government officials through our action alerts, and suggesting alternatives such as whale-watching ecotourism. These countries' leaders have the power to end whaling forever – they must eventually come to see reason and end this brutal and unnecessary slaughter.
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