Whaling
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Whale-In, Whale-Out
Will the economics of Icelandic whaling be its undoing? On April 11, 2025, Kristján Loftsson, CEO of Hvalur hf., was quoted as saying his company would not be sending his whaling ships out this summer to hunt fin whales. For just over…
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Hvalur Hf. Cancels 2025 Whaling Season
Hvalur hf. has cancelled this summer’s whaling season, RÚV reported last Friday. According to RÚV’s sources, company employees were notified that the season would not go ahead. This was confirmed by Kristján Loftsson, CEO of Hvalur hf., in a conversation with mbl.is.…
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First Fin Whale Of The Season Endured 35-Minute Death Struggle
The first fin whale hunted by Hvalur hf. after the whaling ban was lifted endured a prolonged 35-minute death struggle, reports Vísir. The 2023 whaling season was originally set to begin on June 21, but the then-Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries…
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A Whale Of A Time
Charlie knows not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, they’ll go to it laughing Call me Charlie. Some months ago — never mind how long precisely — having little or no self-respect on my person, and nothing…
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Now And Then: Hey, Remember When Those Whaling Ships Were Sunk?
Revisiting Iceland’s other core memory from 1986 There were two things that happened in Iceland in 1986 that have been engrained on the collective memory of the nation. First is the Reykjavík Summit between then U.S. president Ronald Reagan and General Secretary…
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Bjarni Ben Grants Whaling Permits
Bjarni Benediktsson, the acting Minister for Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries, has issued whaling permits for the next five years, reports RÚV. The permits authorise Hvalur hf. to hunt fin whales and Tjaldtangi ehf. to hunt minke whales. The number of animals allowed…
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Former Minister Jón Gunnarsson Focus Of International Spy Investigation
The private intelligence firm Black Cube, run by former Mossad special operatives and intelligence agents, allegedly collected information on former judiciary minister and Independence Party MP Jón Gunnarsson regarding his ties to the Icelandic whaling industry. Black Cube’s portfolio includes the cover-up…
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Whaling Is Back On The Table
The government collapse was a gift for the pro-whaling Independence Party The last weeks of the month brought an unlikely October surprise to Icelandic voters. Thanks to the sudden collapse of the government and a breach of protocol by the Independence Party,…
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Unpacking The Arrest Of Anti-Whaling Icon Paul Watson In Greenland
A new page was added to the ongoing saga of international whaling on July 21 when a long-time agent provocateur of the international whaling industry was arrested in Greenland. Paul Watson, founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and the Captain Paul…
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Minister Grants Permit To Allow Whaling To Resume
Minister of Food and Agriculture Bjarkey Olsen Gunnarsdóttir has granted the whaling company Hvalur ehf. a licence for hunting fin whales. The minister announced her decision following a government meeting on June 11. The permit is active for one year, allowing 128…
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Whaling Company Applies For New Licence
Kristján Loftsson, owner Iceland’s one and only whaling company Hvalur hf, has applied for a new licence to hunt fin whales beginning in the summer of 2024. He’s seeking a licence for the next five to 10 years. With their current licence…
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Hvalur Files Claim Against Icelandic State Over Temporary Whaling Ban
Hvalur hf. filed a claim against the state for “massive income loss,” reports RÚV. The whaling company asserts that the Icelandic government should pay the company’s employees wages for the period when the ban on whaling was in effect. In its claim,…
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My, What A Unique Ashtray You Have
The stories making headlines in Iceland in recent weeks Undertaking home renovation projects can be a massive headache. Surprises lurking behind the drywall inevitably expand the scope of the project and drive up costs. But unlike other contractors who maybe stumble across…
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The Indefensible Defence Of An Obsolete Industry
Examining the past, present and still uncertain future of whaling in Iceland “It’s been a crazy day,” Valgerður Árnadóttir says, a clear tone of concern in her voice as she looks out the large picture windows of Röst café toward the long…
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Whaling Protests Ceased
Elissa Bijou and Anahita Babaei, the two protesters who chained themselves to whaling ships in the Reykjavík harbour, have ceased their demonstrations. On the morning of September 4, the women climbed into the crow’s nests of two whaling ships, protesting the recent…
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Two Protesters Chained To Whaling Ships
On the morning of September 4, protesters Elissa Bijou and Anahita Babaei climbed onboard two whaling ships docked in the Reykjavík harbour, chaining themselves in the crow‘s nests. The actions follow the recent government decision to lift the temporary whaling ban, which…
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No Whaling Will Happen This Summer
Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Svandís Svavarsdóttir has announced her decision to stop Iceland’s hunt for fin whales this summer, Vísir reports. The commercial whaling season was scheduled to get underway June 21, despite ongoing public protest against the practice. The decision…
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Reykjavík’s Disappearing Theatres
And other things making headlines in recent weeks Farewell to theatres It was reported June 8 that Reykjavík cinema Háskólabíó will screen its last films this month after the company operating the facility decided to call it quits. Sena has managed the…
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Minister: No Basis For Revoking Whaling Company’s Fishing Permit
Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Svandís Svavarsdóttir said there is no legal basis for revoking the fishing permit of Hvalur hf. in the wake of a damning report on the practices of the company — the only one engaging in whaling in…
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Whaling “A Part Of Our Past Rather Than Our Future” Says Fisheries Minister
Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Svandís Svavarsdóttir spoke with National Geographic in a lengthy feature article about whaling in Iceland, wherein she expressed serious doubts that the practice will continue for much longer. [su_pullquote]It’s only one week until Iceland Airwaves returns to…
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Whaling Is Hurting Tourism, Industry Leaders Say
With the resumption of whaling five days ago after a four-year hiatus, and the landing of the first fin whale of the season last Friday, tourism industry workers in Iceland are less than pleased. [su_pullquote]Summer Sale on T-Shirts in the Grapevine shop!…
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RVK Newscast 191: Whaling, New Icelanders And Inflation
Looking sharp, chief! For today’s RVK Newscast, Valur Grettisson, editor-in-chief of The Reykjavík Grapevine, is at Rakarastofa Ragnars & Harðar for a fresh cut—as well as to go over the freshest Icelandic news. Read on for more info and links. Preorder your…
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Whaling Season Begins Today
Ships from Hvalur hf., Iceland’s only fin whaling company, are set to depart from Reykjavík Harbour today, marking the start of their first whaling season in four years. [su_pullquote]Summer Sale on T-Shirts in the Grapevine shop! We only have a chance to…