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Iceland, one of only three countries still allowing whale hunting, on Thursday issued permits to two whale-hunting companies for the next five years, until 2029, the outgoing government announced.
The decision was denounced by animal-rights activists and environmental groups.
The permits allow for annual catches of 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales during each year’s whaling season, which runs from mid-June to September, said the government, which lost Saturday’s elections.
Whaling permits are normally delivered for five-year periods, but the last ones had expired in 2023. The only remaining active whaling ship, the Hvalur, was asking for and receiving renewals to its permit every year.
Thursday’s decision was denounced in a joint statement by Iceland’s environment association and its youth wing.
“Democracy is not respected and the issuing of permits violates the interests of the climate, of nature and of the well-being of animals,” they said.
Last year, the country suspended whaling for two months after a government-commissioned inquiry that concluded the methods used did not comply with animal welfare laws.
Monitoring by the government’s veterinary agency showed that the hunters’ explosive harpoons were causing the whales prolonged agony, with the hunt lasting up to five hours after they had been harpooned.
The shortened 2023 season, which lasted only three weeks, ended with 24 fin whales killed. The quota was for a total of 209 whales.
Another company hung up its harpoons for good in 2020, saying it was no longer profitable.
Iceland, Norway and Japan are the only three countries that allow commercial whaling.
They face fierce opposition from animal-rights activists.
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