Svandís says there is little justification for further whaling
Food Minister Svandís Svavarsdóttir says there is little evidence that there is an economic benefit to whaling. It needs to be shown that it is economically justified if the fishing permits are to be renewed in 2023, but as it stands, there is little to justify that fishing will continue after 2023. This is stated in a recent column by Svandís in Morgunblaðin today.
Svandís recalls that since commercial whaling was allowed again in 2006, several hundred minke whales and a considerable number of whales have been caught. She says that it is indisputable that the fishing does not have much economic significance and that in the last three years a large whale has been caught, but only one whale in 2021. Therefore, she believes that the economic benefits of doing the fishing have not been great. The companies that it can have valid not to fish.
“There can be several reasons for this, but perhaps the simple explanation is that the ongoing loss from this fishing is likely,” says Svandís.
She points out that the fishing has been controversial and recalls that an American retail chain stopped marketing Icelandic products for a while because of the issue. In 1989, the effect was greater, but there was a disruption in the sale of fish on foreign markets. Svandís also says that the consumption of whale meat in Japan is decreasing, but that is the main market for the meat. She then asks why Iceland should take the risk of maintaining a fishery that does not bring economic benefits and there is little demand left.
She notes that this year the possible macro-economic and social effects of whaling will be studied.