The government of Iceland has prolonged its authorization for whaling for the next five years, setting the quotas for harpooning 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales annually, local media have reported
STOCKHOLM (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 21st February, 2019) The government of Iceland has prolonged its authorization for whaling for the next five years, setting the quotas for harpooning 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales annually, local media have reported.
The quotas had been authorized by Fisheries and Agriculture Minister Kristjan Thor Juliusson despite harsh criticism of the international community, the Sveriges Radio broadcaster reported on Wednesday.
Moreover, the outlet noted, citing fresh surveys, that the majority of Iceland's nationals opposed whaling, too.
The government, in its turn, has been maintaining that whaling in Iceland was carried out under the authorities' control and in line with relevant scientific research results.
Iceland has been authorizing whale hunting in defiance of the International Whaling Commission's 1986 ban. Norway has also been violating the ban.
Moreover, Japan was using a loophole saying it authorized whaling for scientific purposes. However, last year, the Asian nation announced it would resume commercial whaling.
