June 19, 2026, 2:54 p.mJune 19, 2026, 2:54 p.m
After a two-year break, Icelandic whalers are starting the controversial hunt for fin whales again, according to animal rights activists. As Pro Wildlife and other animal protection organizations report, the two Icelandic whaling ships have left their port in the capital Reykjavik.
After a two-year break, whales are being hunted again in Iceland. (archive image) Image: EPA/GREENPEACE
There was initially no official confirmation of this from the Hvalur whaling company. However, the Icelandic online media “Vísir” and the radio station RÚV also reported that the two ships had left their port for preparatory measures towards a fjord.
According to “Vísir”, it is expected that they will probably go to the high seas to hunt whales this weekend.
Activist on board
An Icelandic activist was also on board. He said to “Vísir” that he didn’t know what else he should do to protest against whaling in his country. A video from the whale protection organization Captain Paul Watson Foundation also showed him sitting in the lookout of the ship’s central mast. When the ship temporarily returned to the port, he was reportedly brought back to shore by a police officer using a crane.
Iceland is one of the few countries in the world where whale hunting is still permitted. For this year, the responsible Icelandic research institute issued a catch quota of 150 fin and 168 minke whales.
The topic of whaling is also controversial on the North Atlantic island itself, given the sharp decline in demand for whale meat. In 2023, the then Food and Fisheries Minister Svandís Svavarsdóttir stopped whaling shortly before the first ships set sail due to animal welfare concerns. However, the step did not put a permanent end to whale hunting, as whale advocates had hoped: just two months later it was permitted again under strict conditions.
Organization: Trend can no longer be reversed
Pro-wildlife marine conservation expert Mona Schweizer spoke of a trend away from whale hunting that can no longer be stopped. Icelandic society is turning away from whaling, and Japan, the former buyer, is also losing importance as a sales market.
“This hunt has long since become economically unprofitable and can no longer be justified politically,” criticized Schweizer. Pro Wildlife called for an end to commercial whaling and pointed out that the current government in Reykjavik had announced a bill to ban whaling this fall. (dab/sda/dpa)