IFAW News Release: Iceland Announces Plan to Hunt 25 Minke Whales

[Guest guest]

Hi,

 

Here is our most recent release on whales. IFAW is working with Icelandic

contacts to promote whale watching instead of whale hunting, but they have

announced their plan to kill minke whales this summer...

 

Let me know if you have any questions,

 

Kerry

 

Kerry Branon

Communications Coordinator

International Fund for Animal Welfare

75 Attucks Lane

Hyannis, MA 02601

508-744-2068

kbranon <kbranon

www.ifaw.org <http://www.ifaw.org>

 

 

 

For Immediate Release

 

 

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Contacts:

 

UK: Gill Sanders (IFAW) 00 44 (0)207 587 6714 or 00 44 (0) 7801 613524

 

Germany: Andreas Dinkelmeyer (IFAW) 00 49 40 866 500 15 or 00 49 173 622

7539

 

US: Chris Cutter (IFAW) 508-744-2066 or ccutter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iceland Announces Plan to Hunt 25 Minke Whales

 

 

 

 

(Reykjavik, 1 June 2004) - Iceland plans to kill up to 25 minke whales this

summer, according to a statement released today by Fisheries Minister Arni

Mathieson.

 

 

 

Iceland kills minke whales as part of its study of local marine ecosystems.

The scientific value of the program is debated by IFAW (International Fund

for Animal Welfare --- www.ifaw.org), which points both to non-lethal

alternatives and to the fact that whale meat from the program is sold

commercially in Iceland's supermarkets and restaurants.

 

 

 

Demand for whale meat, however, is weak. Of the 35 tons of meat landed last

year 23 tons are still unsold. Markets abroad are also closed, and a recent

permit for export of whale meat to China has been withdrawn by the

authorities in Iceland.

 

 

 

" This is a move in the right direction, " said Fred O'Regan, president and

CEO of IFAW. " We welcome the fact that Iceland is dramatically reducing the

number of whales it intends to slaughter in the name of science. But it is

time for the Icelandic government to face reality: there is no future in

killing whales for the commercial market. The real economic opportunity

lies in the expansion of responsible whale watching, a truly sustainable

industry that protects whales and economic livelihoods. "

 

 

 

After a 14 year hiatus Iceland returned to whaling last year with a plan to

kill 250 whales a year - 100 minke whales, 100 fin whales and 50 sei whales.

This year's quota was revised to include 25 minke whales and no fin or sei

whales. Iceland is one of only 3 countries that hunt whales in defiance of

an international moratorium.

 

 

 

The Icelandic Government is facing increasing criticism at home from the

tourism industry and individual citizens who have questioned the potential

impact of whaling on the country's international reputation and economic

future.

 

 

 

IFAW marine campaigner Della Green, said: " Iceland's scientific programme is

in shreds. The Icelandic government should have the courage to stand up

against the whaling lobby and stop whaling altogether. "

 

 

 

In September last year, 23 countries, including the UK, Germany and the US,

signed a diplomatic demarche to the Icelandic Government, protesting

strongly against the decision to resume whaling.

 

 

 

IFAW has been working with Icelandic contacts for many years to develop

responsible whale watching as a humane and sustainable alternative to

whaling. Whale watching now attracts around 72,000 tourists in Iceland every

year and is worth more than $14.6 million (USD or Euros) a year to the

Icelandic economy.

 

 

 

Ends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note to editors:

 

Iceland controversially rejoined the International Whaling Commission in

2002, with a questionable " reservation " to the international moratorium on

whaling. It is currently exploiting a loophole, also used by Japan, which

permits the killing of whales for scientific purposes, but has announced its

intention to resume full commercial whaling from 2006. Norway continues to

whale commercially, after objecting to the moratorium when it was agreed in

the 1980s.

 

 

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The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW -- <a

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wild and domestic animals throughout the world by reducing commercial

exploitation of animals, protecting wildlife habitats, and assisting animals in

distress. IFAW seeks to motivate the public to prevent cruelty to animals and to

promote animal welfare and conservation policies that advance the well-being of

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