Iceland set to start 'scientific' whaling

Greenpeace is deeply concerned about Iceland's recently-announced plans to resume 'scientific' whaling.

Under the plan, 38 Minke whales will be caught during August and September, and the meat from these whales will be sold on the commercial market.

Clearly, the Government of Iceland is once again trying to resume commercial whaling via the back door.

We believe any move towards commercial whaling will further jeopardise the future of whales. Killing 38 Minke whales this year is the thin edge of the wedge. Iceland intends to catch 500 whales over the next two years (200 Minke whales, 200 Fin whales and 100 Sei whales). The move will pave the way for even bigger catches in the future, aimed at the export market.

There is no 'scientific' justification for this whaling. The Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has reviewed Iceland's scientific programme - but does not support it.

There are many ways to carry out scientific research without killing whales. Whales already face a multitude of environmental threats such as entanglement in fishing nets, noise disturbance, and pollution.

Whale watching is worth £5 million to the Icelandic tourist industry - much more than whaling is likely ever to be - and is one of the fastest growing parts of the national economy.

Tourism is the second biggest industry in Iceland. The Icelandic tourist ministry is opposed to the move to restart whaling.

Some of the whales targeted in Iceland could be the same whales that tourists watch off the West Coast of Scotland.

Resuming whaling ignores international agreements, and undermines this IWC's recent adoption of the Berlin Initiative, which provides the organisation with a conservation agenda.