Fury as Iceland kills first whale after 14-year ban

ANIMAL welfare campaigners yesterday criticised the killing of Iceland’s first whale in 14 years.

Iceland stopped whaling in 1989 following an international boycott of its fish products.

But earlier this month the country sparked international concern by announcing a six-week operation to kill 38 minke whales for scientific research.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) said Iceland’s Marine Research Institute had confirmed the killing in a hunt which took place on Monday north west of the capital Reykjavik.

The group’s British spokeswoman Gill Sanders, who is in Iceland, said observers had been prevented from filming the hunt by whalers who refused to continue while cameras were present.

“We were really sad to hear that the first whale had been killed. We were hoping right until the last minute that Iceland would change its mind.

“It sends a very disturbing message that cameras were not allowed to get anywhere near what was going on.”

She added: “Iceland’s return to this cruel and needless slaughter flies in the face of decades of international conservation efforts. The Icelandic people are being badly advised and misled by their own fisheries ministry.

“Iceland’s international credibility and economy may be among the ultimate victims.”

While commercial whaling is banned by international treaties, under International Whaling Commission (IWC) rules whales can be killed for scientific purposes.

The Icelandic government says it is investigating the depleting fish stock, but the plans have sparked formal objections from 17 countries, including Britain and the US.

Local tourist groups are also concerned that the move could keep visitors away from Iceland, which has a thriving whale watching industry.

IFAW’s president Fred O’Regan said: “Breaking the ban on whaling makes no sense for Iceland. This will literally chase away the thriving whale watching industry and ultimately hurt the Icelandic economy.

“This is bad decision for whales, for international co-operation, for Icelandic tourists and fishermen and for Icelandic taxpayers who have to underwrite the whole thing.”

Minke whales are the smallest of the great whales, measuring nine to 10 metres.