Good news for the local puffins of the Westman Islands!
The Environment and Planning Council of the Westman Islands proposed that puffin hunting will only be allowed for one week this year. Last year, the hunting season also lasted for a single week. Puffin hunting will be allowed from August 7th to 15th.
Controversial tradition
The hunting of puffins is an ancient tradition in the Westman Islands. In previous years, puffin hunting could last up to 46 days, and the council states that the hunt is used to maintain the culture that accompanies it and general outdoor life on the island. Though according to Fréttablaðið, a moderation of hunting the sea birds is requested.
Náttúrustofa Suðurlands had previously recommended the permission of hunting puffins this year, even though the puffin population has decreased by 45% over the last 17 years in Iceland. Low reproduction and food shortages have led to declining in puffin stock. Therefore hunting puffins is considered ecologically unsustainable.
Note: Due to the effect the Coronavirus is having on tourism in Iceland, it’s become increasingly difficult for the Grapevine to survive. If you enjoy our content and want to help the Grapevine’s journalists do things like eat and pay rent, please consider joining our High Five Club.
You can also check out our shop, loaded with books, apparel and other cool merch, that you can buy and have delivered right to your door.
Also you can get regular news from Iceland—including the latest notifications on eruptions, as soon as they happen—by signing up to our newsletter.
Buy subscriptions, t-shirts and more from our shop right here!
