Icelandic whale hunters left port in the early hours today to pursue their first catch of the large sea mammals in 14 years, angering environmentalists and raising fears for the country's growing tourist industry.
Environmental groups and foreign governments have criticised Iceland's decision to resume whaling. With seven of the 13 great whale species endangered, the International Whaling Commission has outlawed commercial hunting of the world's largest mammal since 1986.
Iceland issued permits on Friday for three whaling boats to catch a total of 38 minke whales for what it describes as scientific purposes - primarily the impact on fish stocks. Iceland says it must control whales to protect fish stocks and protect the livelihood of the country's fishermen. An estimated 43,000 minke whales are believed to live in its waters, eating two million tonnes of fish and krill every year. Iceland ceased whaling in 1989 under international pressure, but said this year it will catch the minke whales for scientific purposes as part of a plan to take 100 minke whales, 100 fin whales and 50 sei whales annually.
Minkes are much smaller than fins and seis, reaching just 10 metres in length. With black skin and white underbellies they are predators, feeding on fish as well as krill. Norway defies the ban and Japan uses a loophole for scientific catches. Indigenous people in Greenland, Siberia and the US state of Alaska are allowed to continue traditional "subsistence" whaling.