Iceland's Whaling Controversy: New Permits Ignite Global Outrage
Image credit: Ocean Agency
This month, Iceland made the deeply troubling decision to resume commercial whaling—a move that not only undermines years of hard-won progress in marine conservation but also betrays the values that should guide our stewardship of the planet. Whales, already vulnerable to extinction, play an essential role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. As the second-largest animals on Earth, they are crucial to the balance of oceanic life, influencing everything from biodiversity to carbon sequestration.
What makes this decision even more alarming is the mounting pressure our oceans face. Climate change, habitat destruction, and overfishing already threaten these majestic creatures and their fragile environment. To reopen the door to commercial whaling now is to ignore the dire need for more sustainable solutions and a renewed focus on protecting the species that can help us fight climate change.
What’s Happening?
Earlier this month, Iceland granted whaling permits for the next five years, allowing the killing of up to 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales each year through 2029. This decision, pushed through just days before the country’s newly elected government was set to take office.
This approval flagrantly ignores the wishes of the Icelandic people, most of whom oppose whaling, as well as global conservation efforts aimed at protecting these majestic creatures. Whales are essential to the health of our oceans, playing a critical role in maintaining ecological balance and even helping mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon.
The fact that this decision was made by a small group of individuals with private interests, despite growing global support for whale conservation, is extremely disappointing. Whaling has been proven to be not only cruel but also economically unsustainable, especially when compared to the booming whale-watching industry, which generates millions of euros for Iceland’s economy each year.
Why It Matters
Whales are not just majestic icons of the ocean; they are keystone species that play a critical role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. These incredible creatures act as natural carbon sinks, storing vast amounts of CO2 throughout their lifetimes. Their movements and excretions also enrich the marine environment by stimulating the growth of phytoplankton, which in turn generate oxygen and absorb significant quantities of atmospheric carbon. This makes whales invaluable partners in our efforts to combat climate change and stabilize ocean health.
By resuming whaling, we are not merely endangering these magnificent beings but also threatening the balance of entire marine ecosystems. This, in turn, puts at risk the livelihoods of coastal communities who depend on these ecosystems for sustainable practices like fishing and tourism. Resuming commercial whaling goes beyond the moral issue—it poses a profound environmental and economic threat to our shared future.
The Economic Case Against Whaling
Whale watching is a cornerstone of Iceland’s tourism industry. Before the pandemic, over 350,000 visitors annually flocked to Iceland to experience the magic of seeing whales in their natural habitat. This industry generates nearly €20 million annually, creating jobs and fostering economic growth in coastal communities.
Since its modest beginnings in the 1990s, whale watching has grown exponentially, contributing to the development of guesthouses, restaurants, and local businesses. In 2016 alone, it attracted more than 250,000 tourists and generated around US$12 million in direct spending. Clearly, whale watching represents a sustainable and lucrative economic opportunity.
I’ve never gone whale watching in Iceland but the video below shows what an amazing experience it must be.
In stark contrast, the whaling industry contributes little to Iceland’s economy. Demand for whale meat has plummeted, both domestically and internationally, with major markets like Japan seeing a steady decline in consumption. A dead minke whale fetches a mere US$10,500—an insignificant figure compared to the revenue from whale watching.
Moreover, whaling tarnishes Iceland’s international reputation as a nature-forward destination. Several tour operators have reported drops in bookings as tourists increasingly associate Iceland with whaling rather than conservation. The photo below makes it clear why.
Photo of dead whales being dragged alongside an Icelandic whaling ship, by Dagur Brynjólfsson, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
What Can We Do About It?
The power to create change lies with all of us. Here are three immediate actions you can take to stand against this decision:
Sign the Petition: Demand an end to whaling in Iceland by signing this petition.
Contact Icelandic Authorities: Let your voice be heard by writing to Icelandic leaders. Share your concerns about the impact of whaling on tourism, the environment, and Iceland’s global reputation. Find contact details here.
Support Marine Conservation Efforts: Organizations like Oceana are doing incredible work to protect marine species. Consider donating or getting involved.
Spread Awareness and Advocate for Change
Share these issues widely. Amplifying these stories helps keep the pressure on policymakers and corporations to prioritize conservation over exploitation.
Final Thoughts
We stand at a pivotal moment in the fight for our oceans and the creatures that call them home. The decisions we make today will shape the future of whale populations, with the potential to either safeguard their existence or witness their continued decline. The stakes could not be higher.
By choosing restoration over destruction, we unlock the natural power of whales to fight climate change. Whales, as ocean guardians, play a vital role in the health of marine ecosystems. Their mere presence helps sustain biodiversity, maintain the balance of food chains, and contribute to carbon sequestration in the ocean. Whaling, by contrast, undermines these ecological functions, destabilizing the delicate balance of our oceans.
Now is the time to act. We cannot afford to let short-term economic interests or outdated practices dictate the fate of these magnificent creatures. The global community has come together to protect biodiversity through frameworks like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which emphasizes the urgent need to restore and protect ecosystems, including our oceans. It is up to us to ensure that these agreements translate into real, meaningful action.
Together, we have the power to shift the narrative—transforming whales from symbols of exploitation into celebrated allies in conservation. The choice is clear: whales belong in the wild, thriving in the oceans, not at the end of a harpoon. Let’s ensure that future generations inherit a planet where whales are not just a memory, but living, breathing creatures that continue to inspire awe and wonder for centuries to come.
This is our moment. Let’s stand together, demand change, and make sure that the whales continue to thrive in the oceans for generations to come.
