Iceland has now killed the last minke whale in its 2005 'scientific' whaling programme. Their self-imposed quota was 39 minke whales and as they have met their target it brings the total catch for the last three years to 100 whales.
This so-called 'scientific' whaling is causing damage to Iceland's international reputation and growing tourist industry. The whale hunt was worth an estimated US$4million at its peak, while whale-watching alone attracts over 80,000 tourists and is worth almost US$20million a year.
Iceland continues to flout the global moratorium on whaling under the guise of scientific research - but the whale meat and blubber is offered to the commercial market.
But demand for these is small and decreasing - only a quarter of last years' catch was sold - yet Iceland still persisted in setting a 2005 quota. Iceland's freezers are already full with 40 tonnes of unwanted meat and blubber from the 2003 and 2004 hunts.
At the same time, support for the whale watching industry is growing - so the message is clear - 'scientific' whaling brings Iceland no money, gives no answers and could damage both its tourist industry and its international reputation.same time, support for the whale watching industry is growing - so the message is clear - 'scientific' whaling brings Iceland no money, gives no answers and could damage both its tourist industry and its international reputation. Iceland has now killed the last minke whale in its 2005 'scientific' whaling programme. Their self-imposed quota was 39 minke whales and as they have met their target it brings the total catch for the last three years to 100 whales.
This so-called 'scientific' whaling is causing damage to Iceland's international reputation and growing tourist industry. The whale hunt was worth an estimated US$4million at its peak, while whale-watching alone attracts over 80,000 tourists and is worth almost US$20million a year.
Iceland continues to flout the global moratorium on whaling under the guise of scientific research - but the whale meat and blubber is offered to the commercial market.
But demand for these is small and decreasing - only a quarter of last years' catch was sold - yet Iceland still persisted in setting a 2005 quota. Iceland's freezers are already full with 40 tonnes of unwanted meat and blubber from the 2003 and 2004 hunts.
At the same time, support for the whale watching industry is growing - so the message is clear - 'scientific' whaling brings Iceland no money, gives no answers and could damage both its tourist industry and its international reputation.
