The Icelandic authorities have decided not to extend the two-month ban on whale hunting introduced for the sake of the well-being of whales.
How tells BB.LV, the government of the island nation lifts the ban on whaling, although it will limit it with more stringent conditions. Experts warn that this “business” can be extremely unstable. In their opinion, it must be strictly controlled. And it is important to take into account not only biological factors. Marine biologist Gisli Vikingsson says:
Our recommendation for whaling, as for any other marine industry, is to set a legal limit that cannot be exceeded, not to catch or not to catch specific species.
However, the country’s fisheries minister, Svandis Svavarsdottir, said whaling could be resumed.
Iceland is one of three countries in the world where commercial whaling is allowed, along with Norway and Japan. Annual quotas – 426 whales. But in recent years, catches have plummeted due to a shrinking market for whale meat.
That said, even if whaling is biologically sustainable, it can be socially or economically unsustainable. Environmental activists in many parts of the world have been pushing for a total ban on whaling for decades.
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