Whaling in Iceland: Country to end controversial fishing practice from 2024
CNNJUL 2022
Iceland Issues Five-Year Whale Hunting Permits
Above: Employees prepare a whale for butchering at the whaling station in the village of Midsandur, Iceland, on Aug. 5, 2022. Image copyright: Sergei Gapon/Contributor/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This whaling permit issuance by an outgoing government shows disregard for democracy and animal welfare as the hunting methods cause prolonged suffering to whales and violate modern conservation principles. The decision ignores declining market demand and growing public opposition to whaling.
Narrative B
The permits follow existing laws and regulations and remain well within population sustainability bounds, ensuring predictability for the whaling industry while adhering to sustainable resource management principles. The decision represents legitimate administrative processing based on scientific advice and legal consultation and would allow Icelanders to utilize resources to create value, jobs, and export revenue.
Metaculus Prediction
There's a 50% chance that the estimated population of blue whales will be 23.6K in 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
