After opposition from environmental groups, Iceland’s whale hunters will not hunt fin whales this year. This is a huge victory for marine life, especially because fin whales are endangered.
The lead whaler, Kristian Loftsson, abandoned this year’s upcoming hunt because of export “hindrances.”
Iceland has faced harsh criticism in the past over whaling expeditions and had paused its activities in 2011. They resumed again in 2013 with a new quota of 184 fin whales.
Most of the whale meat makes its way to Japan, where various parts are consumed. However, public appetite for whale has waned in recent years because of fears of toxicity. Since the oceans are so polluted, the bigger the animal, the more pollution is ingested.
Despite declining interest, the whalers would have continued to slaughter fin whales this year had environmental groups like Avaaz and Greenpeace not stepped in.
BREAKING! Iceland cancels fin #whale hunt this summer. https://t.co/AozADJij84pic.twitter.com/47KM19fi9o
— Greenpeace (@Greenpeace) February 25, 2016
Activists from these and other organizations coordinated to stifle the export of whales by blocking ports, challenging illegal shipments and rallying tremendous public outrage to stop the hunting.
Because of these “hindrances,” Loftsson said he wouldn’t hunt this year. Ideally, this will be the beginning of the end of whaling in Iceland.
Iceland’s Fin Whale Hunt Cancelled for 2016 https://t.co/g5f82hlSYgpic.twitter.com/j23N77XcUL
— Earth First! Journal (@efjournal) February 26, 2016
Fin whales, which can grow up to 82 feet (or 25 meters), are the second biggest whales. They generally travel in groups of around 5, but sometimes are found in communities as large as 300. They form vibrant social bonds and can live up to 90 years.
In the past century, their populations have plummeted and they’re now considered endangered.
Between 1904 and 1979, it’s estimated that 750,000 fin whales were killed in the Southern Hemisphere, which all but eliminated sightings in the region.
Today there are around 50,000 fin whales in the North Atlantic, and they face many threats that go beyond hunting.
Pollution degrades marine habitats and toxins accumulate in whale bodies causing long and short-term health problems.
Climate change affects water composition and has been shown to deplete krill populations, which are the main food source for fin whales.
Fin whales are also sometimes hit by boats and get caught in the enormous trawling nets used by fishing vessels.
While hunting whales should never be allowed, doing so when they are endangered and face myriad threats is particularly egregious.
Fin whales are majestic creatures. In the years ahead, the era of whale hunting can be closed, and an era of whale preservation can begin.