Current News
Iceland resumed
whaling after 14 year. Icelandic
government has commissioned three ships to begin hunting
for 38 minke whales during the next six weeks, despite protests
by September 30, 2003 under what it says is a "research plan".
Three small fishing boats have been fitted
with explosive harpoons and have begun hunting. All the
meat from these whales will be sold.
Minke whales have
not been caught around Iceland since 1985 and no whales
at all have been killed since the conclusion of the government's
previous research plan in 1989.
Nations opposed to whaling, including the United
States, say there is no scientific basis for Iceland's research.
Animal welfare groups fear the hunt is intended to gauge international
reaction before the resumption of commercial whaling.
Whale meat not used by scientists for research will be sold to
consumers in Iceland.
Commercial whaling has
been banned since 1986 because 13 of the world's great whale
species are considered endangered.
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