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We're at COP28 to Save the Whale, Save the World.

We’re at COP28 to save the whale, save the world

Ed Goodall Ed is WDC's head of intergovernmental engagement. He meets with world leaders to...
Gray whales from drone.

We’re taking steps to uncover the mysteries of whales

Vicki James Vicki is WDC's protected areas coordinator, she helps to create safe ocean spaces...
We must protect our non-human allies. Image: Tom Brakefield, aurore murguet, johan63

We’re urging governments to protect all of our climate heroes – CITES

Katie Hunter Katie supports WDC's engagement in intergovernmental conversations and is working to end captivity...
The Natütama Foundation are dedicated to protecting endangered river dolphins. Image: Natutama

Guardians of the Amazon: protecting the endangered river dolphins

Ali Wood Ali is WDC's education projects coordinator. She is the editor of Splash! and KIDZONE,...
Amazon river dolphins. Image: Fernando Trujillo/Fundacion Omacha

Amazon tragedy as endangered river dolphins die in hot water

Ali Wood Ali is WDC's education projects coordinator. She is the editor of Splash! and KIDZONE,...
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin © Mike Bossley/WDC

WDC in Japan – Part 3: Restoring freedom to dolphins in South Korea

Katrin Matthes Katrin is WDC's communications and campaigns officer for policy & communication in Germany...
Wintery scene in Iceland

Seeking sanctuary – Iceland’s complex relationship with whales

Hayley Flanagan Hayley is WDC's engagement officer, specialising in creating brilliant content for our website...
Whaling ship Hvalur 8 arrives at the whaling station with two fin whales

A summer of hope and heartbreak for whales in Icelandic waters

Luke McMillan Luke is WDC's Head of hunting and captivity. Now that the 2023 whaling season...

Iceland – are they having a rethink on whaling?

According to the latest news out of Iceland, there is a potential for the government increasing support for whale watching and increasing restrictions on commercial whaling.

It appears that they are looking to conduct an audit of the pros and cons of whaling, including its potential market in Japan vs the potential negative effects on tourism AND expansion of areas defined as off-limits to hunting for benefit of the whale watching tourism industry.

An Icelandic MP is also aking advantage of the change in Fisheries Ministers in Iceland, MP Mordur Arnason has put in three questions related to whaling, and calling on Minister Steingrimur Sigfusson to answer them.

Question 1  to the Fisheries and Agriculture Minister on Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Is it the policy of the Icelandic government or not that there should be special provisions for ASW in conjunction with the IWC, or that aboriginal whaling should be treated equally to industrial (ie commercial) whaling?

Question 2

1. What is the minster’s communication strategy for sustainable whaling?
2. Is whaling “sustainable” if a significant portion of the whale’s body is left at sea, or thrown in landfills?
3. Can whaling be considered “sustainable” if only a small portion of the catch has been sold successfully for a long time?

Question 3

Can the minister state if it is decided whether whaling is necessary for fisheries management?  If so, on what theoretical basis has the decision been made that whaling is part of fisheries management?

Source https://www.althingi.is/