Iceland’s government plans to put a permanent commercial-whaling ban before parliament in February 2027, turning an earlier commitment to legislate against the industry into a specific timetable for ending it.
If passed, the bill would close the legal route for commercial whaling despite five-year licences issued in 2024. Reuters reported that 80 fin whales had been caught this season by September 9, out of a quota of 150.
What’s the Story?
- The government plans to introduce a permanent commercial-whaling ban in February 2027.
- Reuters reports 80 fin whales had been caught this season by September 9.
- If parliament approves the bill, Norway and Japan would be the remaining countries conducting commercial whaling.
From a planned ban to a permanent prohibition
The announcement is a material step beyond the government’s earlier statement that legislation to prohibit whaling would be introduced during the winter. Iceland Review reported in June that Hvalur 8 and Hvalur 9 had returned to sea after a two-year pause, even as the government was preparing legislation that could end the industry.
The first fin whales of the season were caught shortly afterwards. Iceland Review reported on June 22 that Hvalur 9 had taken two fin whales overnight. The 2026 quota allows up to 150 fin whales and 168 minke whales to be caught.
Reuters now reports that the government’s proposal is intended to be permanent and is scheduled for February 2027. The governing coalition holds a parliamentary majority, although the legislation will still have to pass Alþingi before it can take effect.
The whaling season has continued amid renewed animal-welfare criticism. In July, four Icelandic animal-welfare and environmental organisations called for an immediate halt, citing official inspection reports. Later that month, the EFTA Surveillance Authority said it had received more than 700 enquiries about Icelandic whaling, while reiterating that wild-mammal welfare falls outside its EEA mandate.
Fin whales are classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Iceland resumed commercial whaling in 2006 after the International Whaling Commission’s global moratorium had taken effect in 1986. Norway resumed in 1993, while Japan returned to commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the commission.
The five-year licences granted in Iceland in 2024 remain an important part of the transition question. A permanent statutory ban would go beyond ministerial decisions over whether licences should be issued or renewed.
Source: Reuters.
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