On Sunday, June 21, 2026, just two days after the vessels set sail from Reykjavik, Iceland killed two fin whales, the second largest animal on the planet after the blue whale. Images broadcast by the public broadcaster RUV and environmental organizations show the boats dragging the bodies of the cetaceans, marking the resumption of commercial whaling after a two-year suspension.
The 2026 season authorizes the capture of up to 150 common minke whales and 168 minke whales, valid until September.
Context and Background
Iceland had suspended the activity in 2024 and 2025 due to economic problems and low demand, which made the sector unprofitable. However, along with Norway and Japan, it remains one of the three countries that openly allow whaling, despite the 1986 moratorium by the International Whaling Commission (IWC).
The Marine and Freshwater Research Institute recommended reducing quotas compared to the 2018–2025 period:
- 150 fin whales (28% less).
- 168 minke whales (23% less).
Protests and International Rejection
The resumption of whaling sparked local and international protests:
- Environmental activism: Captain Paul Watson’s foundation released videos of the first captures, calling for the activity to be rejected.
- Animal welfare: a report by the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority determined that the hunt violates the Animal Welfare Act, as many deaths are prolonged and painful.
- Tourism impact: less than 2% of Icelanders consume whale meat; the main market is tourism in restaurants and export to Japan. Organizations promote ecotourism and whale watching as a sustainable alternative.
International Isolation and Lack of Local Support
The decision reaffirms Iceland’s isolation alongside Norway and Japan, the only countries ignoring the international moratorium.
Internal surveys reveal that more than half of the Icelandic population rejects the issuance of hunting licenses, reflecting the lack of social support for the practice.
The Future of Whaling in Iceland
The Icelandic government is evaluating a bill to permanently ban whaling before the end of the year, due to the lack of economic profitability and the damage to the country’s tourism reputation. Social and political pressure is extreme, and the debate pits environmental conservation against the quotas approved by fishing authorities.
The resumption of whaling in Iceland rekindles a global controversy that pits tradition, economic interests, and environmental conservation.
While the first captures are already generating international rejection, the future of the practice seems increasingly uncertain in a country where the majority of the population does not consume whale meat and where tourism depends on the image of respect for nature.
