Recent news in Iceland has once again highlighted the controversial practices surrounding whaling in the country. Last September, a shocking video was released showing a fin whale caught by the company Hvalur. What makes this story even more disturbing is that the whale was pregnant at the time of its capture.
The video, filmed from the fishing boat Hvalur 8 and transmitted by the Icelandic Food and Health Authority (MAST), shows how the whale was first harpooned, then continued to swim for almost 30 minutes before receiving a second harpoon shot which was fatal to him. New Icelandic regulations, which came into force this summer, stipulate that whales must be killed immediately after the first harpooning.
This barbaric practice led to a suspension of the fishing license of the Hvalur company last June. The Food Ministry also established strict new rules for fishermen, requiring them to aim at a specific target area of the whale’s body to ensure the animal dies quickly. However, in this video it can clearly be seen that the whale was hit in the head, which does not comply with the new regulations.
Animal rights activists and anti-whaling activists hope these recent incidents will prompt Iceland to ban whaling altogether. Currently, only three countries continue to practice this hunt: Iceland, Norway and Japan. While many countries around the world have passed laws to protect whales and ban their hunting, it is essential that Iceland sides with compassion and stops this archaic practice.
In addition to cruelty to whales, whaling also impacts the marine ecosystem. Whales play a crucial role in regulating fish populations and helping to maintain the balance of the oceans. Their disappearance could have dramatic consequences on the environment.
It is time for Iceland to reconsider its position on whaling. As a country renowned for its unspoilt nature and natural beauty, it would benefit Iceland’s image to adopt policies that are more respectful of marine life. By ending whaling, Iceland could take a step forward towards more responsible management of ocean resources and position itself as a leader in environmental protection.
Raising public awareness of these cruel practices is essential to put pressure on affected governments and companies. By supporting animal rights organizations and sharing information on social media, we can help make our voices heard and put an end to this form of cruelty towards marine animals.
It is time to turn the page on this archaic and cruel practice. The protection of whales and the preservation of our marine ecosystem are essential issues in our modern society. Let’s hope that Iceland will finally realize this and choose compassion towards whales.