Carlos M. Gutierrez, the US Commerce Secretary, has stated that it is frustrating news that Icelanders are going to start commercial whaling without the approval of the International Whaling Commission.
“This is frustrating news. Iceland is pursuing a completely commercial enterprise driven by profit motive with no oversight by IWC [International Whaling Commission] members nor analysis by their scientific committee,” said Gutierrez. “I urge Iceland to reconsider this decision and focus on the overarching principles of the Commission rather than the short-term interests of its whaling industry. At a time when we should be doing more to help protect whales, Iceland is going in the wrong direction,” Gutierrez said in a press release on the Department of Commerce home page.
