Iceland Will Allow Whale Hunting Again: The Conditions Are Tightened, Cannot Hurt

Whale hunting in Iceland. (Wikimedia Commons/Dagur Brynj00sson)

JAKARTA - The Icelandic government said on Thursday it would allow fin whaling back after being suspended for two months, but with a number of new regulations aimed at killing whales as quickly as possible, reducing suffering.

Iceland is known to have again allowed fin whale hunting activity, which could reach more than 20 meters (65 ft) long, in 2006 after a 20-year stop.

The International Whale Fishing Commission - the global body that oversees whale conservation - imposed a moratorium in 1986, after several species approached extinction.

Although some whale species are still threatened with extinction or even extinction, Iceland's authorities, along with Norway and Japan, have continued commercial whaling.

Reykjavmenk himself suspended commercial whaling in June, after a report to the government said whales took too long to die after being overhauled, sometimes for hours, which violates the law on animal welfare.

The hunt will continue after a government working group concluded there was a possibility to improve hunting methods.

"A regulation will be issued that will include more detailed and stricter requirements for hunting equipment and hunting methods, as well as increased surveillance," the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Iceland's public broadcaster said whalers would be required to take a whale biology course, perceptions of pain and stress.

In addition, they will also be given detailed instructions on how to overhaul animals to make sure they die quickly.