Icelandic Whaling to Resume Under Reduced Quota, With National Ban Proposed for 2027
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Iceland's commercial whaling company Hvalur hf. plans to resume hunting fin whales this summer after a two-year pause. The government has issued a five-year license, but the 2026 catch limit has been reduced by 28% on scientific advice. Legislation to end commercial whaling in Iceland is expected to be introduced this fall, following the upcoming season.
Facts First
- Icelandic whaling company Hvalur hf. will resume hunting fin whales this summer after not hunting in 2024 or 2025.
- The 2026 catch limit has been set at 150 fin whales, a 28% reduction from previous scientific recommendations.
- Iceland's government plans to introduce legislation to end commercial whaling in the fall, following the 2026 season.
- Fin whales are classified as vulnerable to extinction on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
- Iceland, Japan, and Norway are the countries that still allow commercial whaling despite an International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium.
What Happened
Hvalur hf., an Icelandic commercial whaling company, plans to resume whale hunting this summer after a two-year pause. The Icelandic government issued the company a five-year license in 2024, allowing a catch of up to 209 fin whales annually. However, Hvalur hf. did not hunt any whales in 2024 or 2025. For the 2026 season, Iceland's Marine and Freshwater Research Institute has advised that no more than 150 fin whales should be caught, which is a 28% reduction from previous catch recommendations.
Why this Matters to You
This decision directly affects the conservation status of a vulnerable species and may influence international environmental policy and trade relations. If you are concerned with wildlife conservation, the resumption of hunting for a species classified as vulnerable could be a setback. Conversely, the proposed national ban and the reduced quota for 2026 may signal a forthcoming policy shift that could align Iceland more closely with global conservation norms.
What's Next
The 2026 whaling season is set to proceed under the reduced quota of 150 fin whales. Following this season, Iceland's Minister of Industries, Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, reportedly said that legislation to end commercial whaling will be introduced in the fall. This could mean the 2026 season is potentially the last for commercial whaling in Iceland if the legislation passes.