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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...

Wind of change blowing within Iceland?

If the initial reaction within the Icelandic media to yesterday’s announcement from the White House outlining a range of sanctions against Iceland for its whaling is anything to go by, Iceland is taking President Obama’s words – and underlying tone  – very seriously indeed.  The website of Iceland’s National Broadcasting Service, the Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV) carries an article with the headline “Whaling spoils cooperation with the US”  is echoed by Visir’s “Obama wants to revise cooperation with Iceland in the light of whaling” and the News of Iceland website which proclaims that President Obama wants Iceland to follow the US’ example and move from whaling to whale watching.

Fin whale (c) Tim StentonThese articles suggest that the US government’s announcement has been greeted with some nervousness within Iceland. And that can only be a good thing because, as everyone knows, to be meaningful and lasting, change has to come from within.

The wind of change appears to be blowing also within the Icelandic parliament, the Althingi, where nine cross-party MPs have called upon the government to review whether or not it is in Iceland’s interest to continue whaling.

Their proposal is specifically directed to Iceland’s Finance Minister, Bjarni Benediktsson, asking him to examine “economic and business interests, the interests of the fishing industry, and the tourist industry” and also to factor in the negative impact of whaling upon “Iceland’s position on the international stage and its relations with other countries.”

I strongly believe that the vast majority of Icelanders do not want the bad publicity or soured international and diplomatic relations associated with commercial whaling and would far rather see Iceland linked with positives such as its highly successful whale watching industry (which attracts a third of all visitors) not to mention its starkly beautiful landscape and wildlife. Add your voice to our campaign to stop Icelandic whale products passing through EU ports.