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Whaling is cruel, the demand for whale meat is falling and we can’t be certain that whale populations can survive large scale hunting as well as the other daily threats they face. But, despite bans on commercial whaling and the trade in whale products, Japan, Norway and Iceland still kill 2000 whales between them each year and also continue trade in whale products – it has to STOP.


However, over 30,000 whales have been killed since the ban came into effect because of loopholes that have allowed some countries to carry on whaling. The Whaling Commission currently allows Norway to hunt under an ‘objection’ to the ban, and Japan uses a loophole which allows countries to hunt whales for ‘research purposes’. Iceland claims it is allowed to break the ban also because it left the Commission in 1992 but was 'allowed' to re-join 10 years later under a 'reservation’. Iceland's 'reservation' is contested by many other Commission member states. The Commission also allows Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling (ASW) in some countries.

The International Whaling Commission last met in Slovenia, September 2014. WDC was present fighting for the world's whales and dolphins. You can read how the whole meeting went blow by blow.

Between them, these countries kill around 2,000 whales a year – mainly fin, minke, Bryde’s, sei, humpback and sperm whales.



Icelandic fin whaling




Frequently asked questions about whaling