Each year Norway announces a self-imposed whaling quota, which for 2020 was nearly 1,300 minke whales. This season 12 boats took part in the hunts, slaughtering 462 whales through using powerful harpoons that explode inside the whale before the marine mammal is dragged on-board. The whales suffer terrible pain and trauma and in some cases, pregnant female whales are amongst those killed. In areas such as Lofoten (Northern Norway) where the biggest concentration of ships is, whale meat is sold in shops, grocery stores and is also available on restaurant menus, including sushi restaurants which have included raw whale meat on their menus.
With Norwegians reportedly holidaying in their own country this year, many have tasted whale meat for the first time despite prices for minke whale meat apparently rising. It’s time for Norway to recognise that commercial whaling is cruel, outdated and unnecessary. They should now follow in the steps of the Icelandic whaling business, IP-Utgerd who, earlier this year, announced that it will stop whaling altogether. Hvalur hf. halted its fin whaling operations for the second year in a row.
Norway should now become an ethical whale watching, not whale killing nation, and protect the minke whales they are fortunate to have frequent their waters.
