Iceland Calls the Whale Thing Off
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 09. 7.07
Photo credit: findmelost
The government of Iceland announced last week that it is calling off its controversial whale hunt, not because of political pressure, but due to the lack of demand for whale meat and other whale products.
In 2006, the Icelandic government stated it would no longer respect an international ban on commercial whaling; it issued permits for the commercial hunting of nine endangered fin whales and 30 minke whales. (Seven minke whales and seven fin whales have been killed so far this year, as one lonely cash register kachinged in the distance.)
But economic studies commissioned by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), which campaigns to protect the world's whales, found little demand for the meat. Strikingly, Iceland's burgeoning whale-watching industry generates more than $20 million in revenue each year.
Now on what essentially is a whale-hunting "break," Iceland says that it will not issue whale-hunting quotas until market demand increases or it manages to get its tenterhooks on a license to export whale products to Japan, one of the largest markets for whale meat (aka The Jackpot).
“This is fantastic news for whales and for Iceland,” says IFAW’s Robbie Marsland, albeit prematurely. “Whaling is cruel and unnecessary, and all of our studies have also shown there is little appetite for whale meat in Iceland or internationally. We hope that Iceland’s successful whale-watching industry will continue to grow without the country’s image being further tarnished by whaling.”
Oh Robbie, your faith in humankind is just so ... so ... retro. Bless you. ::E Magazine, New Scientist, and ::Reuters
See also: ::Japanese Whaling Under Fire, ::Whale Conservation Beached (Again), and In Israel, Whales Are Not Kosher
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- China Stepping Up to Halt Internet WIldlife Trade
- Countries Falling Behind As World's Oceans Are Still "Vastly Under-Protected": Study
- Whales 0, Navy 1: Court Rules In Favor of Lifting Restrictions on Harmful Sonar Use
- Iceland: Sigur Rós Nature Awareness Concert
AMD Open Architecture Challenge Selects Community Partners
|
gogo Kidz: Wheel Your Kids Around Without the Stroller
|
This is great news.
=/
Such a shame. Oh well, at least Norway isn't backing out cos that would thoroughly suck. Then I'd have to stock up on whale meat, man.. much more convenient to just buy it when I need it. Got a 400 gram piece in the freezer now, gonna make some later this week I think. Delicious :)
What you mean "no demand"?! I'd definitely try whale sashimi if I had a chance! If whales could be owned as private property for profit, they'd be as plentiful as cows!
What a shame. I had whale meat in Iceland in July and it was incredible. It was better than any meat I'd ever had.
this news make my day
this news make my day
Made my year that news! Those stubbron Iceland suckers finally defeated by people! Icelanders are cold and dark weirdos and am happy that now they make money from admiring and watching beautiful species of whales!
Serves you right Iceland people!
www.loveofgoodlife.org
Don't mess with nature bugs!
well actually for those of you who like to eat whale when you in iceland there are still a small number of mink whales and fin whales killed for scientific research every year here. after the scientists are done with the whales they either sell or give the meat away. so if you are interested in trying whale sushi you are in luck!
as to those that think icelanders are cold and dark people you obviously know nothing of the country that is perhaps one of the most modern in the world. it is constantly called the happiest country in the world as it is always on the top of statistically happy people.
and for the whales... the amount that was hunted in 2007 is way way below what could be considered sustainable since the population of whales in icelandic waters is way way way higher than in any other place in the world. in-fact the pollution alone coming from america kills thousands of whales every year yet how many americans are on this board acting disgusted by the icelanders. you should spend the time to research what you wish to protest about.
i am not at all for killing whales for nothing so of course iceland shouldn't if no-one will eat the meat but the country is the least polluted in the world so it is estimated that icelanders could sustain-ably hunt about ten times the amount that was allowed in 2007. although these whales are classified as endangered it is because of the low amounts found in polluted american and continental european waters.