4 min read This Country Is Planning To Kill 2,000 Whales This has to stop 💔

Many whale species are already at risk — but one country is planning to kill 2,000 of them over the next five years. Earlier last week, Iceland announced that it may authorize whalers to kill up to 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales every year through 2023.

A fin whale | Shutterstock

Whale meat is not even widely popular among Icelandic citizens, and is often only consumed by tourists who visit the country. Despite this, the country still markets itself as a destination to see whales — but also offers them up as food. While whales are protected under international law, Iceland as well as Japan still allow whaling.



Kitty Block, president of Humane Society of the United States, is certain the move is counterproductive to the country’s own interests.

A fin whale who was killed in a controversial hunt last summer in Iceland | Hard to Port

“Iceland’s economy benefits tremendously from tourism and particularly from whale watchers who trek to the country each year to see these magnificent animals in their natural habitat,” Block said. “I’ve been on a whale watching boat in Iceland myself and felt the thrill of seeing these majestic animals rise to the surface. There really is no feeling like it.” Block also argues that these type of brutal culls will impact whale populations there for years to come.

A minke whale swimming | Shutterstock

“The animals themselves cannot withstand such a brutal attack,” Block said. “Worldwide, fin whales, the second-largest mammals in the world after blue whales, are still recovering from historical whaling and last year alone Iceland killed 145 of them, further endangering their survival.” In protest of Iceland’s decision, Block and the HSUS are calling for an end for the killing once and for all. There’s only one way to conserve these whales, they argue — and it’s to save their lives.

Two fin whales swimming together | Shutterstock

“Visitors to Iceland are far more likely to appreciate being able to enjoy watching these animals in the wild rather than having their carcasses served up to them in a plate,” Block said.