Iceland to introduce legislation ending commercial whaling permanently

Iceland's administration intends to present a bill in February that would embed a permanent prohibition on commercial whaling into law, effectively ending the practice in the country. The proposal is reported to have substantial support across the political spectrum and among the public, driven by ethical, veterinary, legal and conservation considerations. During the ongoing hunting season, Humane World for Animals recorded 80 fin whales taken, while the authorized quota permits up to 150.

Fin whales, which are classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, have been the primary species targeted by Iceland's whaling fleet. Only Norway and Japan continue commercial whaling after Iceland's anticipated ban. The International Whaling Commission’s records confirm that these three nations are the sole recent practitioners, following a global moratorium instituted in 1986 that still allows limited indigenous hunts.