Kategorie: News
Conservationists Document the Suffering of These Endangered Sea Giants
Just three days have passed since the Icelandic whaling fleet set sail—and already the first two fin whales of the new season have been killed. The whaling vessel “Hvalur 9” killed the animals with explosive harpoons and brought them to the whaling station in Hvalfjörður, where they will subsequently be processed.
Conservationists were on site to document these events, bringing to light the gruesome details of this controversial hunt.
A Questionable Timing
What is particularly disturbing: This hunt is taking place at a time that could not be more politically sensitive. Iceland plans to vote on a whaling ban in the fall of 2026. At the same time, the country is preparing for a possible return to EU accession negotiations. Iceland’s accession to the EU and the simultaneous continuation of commercial whaling are simply incompatible politically. Nevertheless, the hunt has continued unhindered so far.
The Icelandic government has approved a quota of 150 animals for 2026 for millionaire Kristján Loftsson, Iceland’s last remaining fin whale hunter—despite massive international criticism.
The Animals’ Suffering
The reality behind the catch quotas is disturbing: fin whales are an endangered species. Pregnant females are frequently killed during the hunt. The death throes of these intelligent giants of the sea often last several minutes, sometimes even hours. “We’re talking here about the hunting of an endangered species that causes enormous suffering for the animals,” says Arne Feuerhahn of Hard To Port e.V., summing it up. His organization has been monitoring whalers’ activities for over ten years and regularly documents the animals’ suffering.
Dr. Mona Schweizer of the wildlife conservation organization Pro Wildlife is clear: “The first fin whales were killed with explosive harpoons—and this happened just a few months before Iceland decided to ban whaling. Every additional whale is one too many.”
The General Public Opposes Whaling
Interestingly, public opinion in Iceland has long since shifted: More than half of Icelanders now oppose whaling. They see what experts have known for a long time: Commercial whaling cannot be justified from an ethical, ecological, or economic standpoint. Its economic significance has become minimal anyway—this involves just a few entrepreneurs, not a major industry.
Schweizer and Feuerhahn hope that the Icelandic government will actually follow through on its announced course and finally take action: “Ending the era of commercial whaling in Iceland is long overdue.”
Global Pressure for a Whaling Ban
International pressure on Iceland is growing. The “End Commercial Whaling Coalition” is collecting signatures worldwide to bring about a permanent end to commercial whaling. The next key date: The International Whaling Commission (IWC) will meet in September 2026. Until then, as many voices from civil society as possible should be gathered—because it is precisely this grassroots pressure that is now crucial.
“Pressure from civil society is more important than ever at this stage to stop this cruel and outdated hunt for these giants of the sea,” the coalition emphasizes. It appeals to each and every individual: The time to act is now, not sometime in the future.
A System on the Brink of Collapse
What many people don’t realize is that Icelandic whaling is a system already teetering on the brink. It only functions because a small group of business owners clings to it—and because policymakers have allowed it to continue so far. But the signs point to change. A majority of the population, the international community, and now even the Icelandic government itself are signaling that something must change.
The documented footage of the first fin whales killed this year shows once again that Iceland is at a turning point. The question is not whether whaling will end—but only when.
Anyone who would like to support the international campaign can sign the petition here:
End commercial whaling
For more information on whaling in Iceland and the background, visit Pro Wildlife: https://www.prowildlife.de/aktuelles/