When Iceland suspend the summertime 2023 commercial-grade whaling time of year , many were affirmative it could be the last nail in the coffin for the dwindle whaling industry . However , those Leslie Townes Hope have been pall after Iceland ’s governmentquietly announcedit will be rescind the summer hiatus on whaling , efficaciously allow hunting to resume under a young circle of regulations .
The whale time of year was put on ice until September 1 , during which time the Icelandic government said they ’d be review the situation to see how run along up with their brute welfare laws .
Now , they have concluded that whaling can resume , although they have put frontward a number of new regulation design to make the pattern appear more humane .
Under thenew regulations , giant can only be hunted off Iceland within a distance of 25 meters ( 80 feet ) from the gravy boat to dilute the betting odds of the animals receiving painful , but non - fateful , injuries . what is more , hunters are not allowed to kill any hulk if a calfskin is following them . Some controversial method of slaughter , such as electrification , have also been outlawed .
Nevertheless , animal rights groups are not happy with the tidings .
“ The Animal Welfare Institute ( AWI ) is let down in the Icelandic government ’s conclusion to allow commercial-grade fivesome whaling to resume , ” Kate O’Connell , senior insurance consultant for AWI ’s marine life program , tell in a affirmation sent to IFLScience .
“ This determination will surely decry many giant to a fell , unneeded death . Thankfully , the unexampled regulation will ostracize the use of electricity as a cleanup method acting , as this has not been bear witness to be an effective method acting of euthanasia , ” added O’Connell .
Luke McMillan , an anti - whaling campaigner at Whale and Dolphin Conservation , was even less positive about the new regulations , saying in astatement : “ These new measures are pointless and irrelevant . Training , education and better equipment or killing methods - the measures they have put in place - will never make whaling satisfactory - there is no humane way to kill whales at ocean and they will still suffer . ”
Iceland has just one remaining whaling company , Hvalur , that commercially hunt V giant ( Balaenoptera physalus ) – one of the largest animal species on solid ground . Under theIUCN Red List , the giant species is look at vulnerable to extinction .
There is still some hope that whaling in Iceland has meet its end , however . The governance is responsible for issuing licenses to Hvalur and there ’s no hope they will receive a permit in 2024 .
“ Despite today ’s decisiveness , we are bright that Hvalur ’s whaling permit will not be renew in future season , and AWI will preserve to push for an end to all commercial-grade whaling , ” explained O’Connell .
