Whaling Whaling is the hunting of whales primarily for meat and oil. Its earliest forms date to at least 3000 BC.[1] Various coastal communities have long histories of subsistence whaling and harvesting beached whales. Industrial whaling emerged with organized fleets in the 17th century; competitive national whaling industries in the 18th and 19th centuries; and the introduction of factory ships along with the concept of whale harvesting in the first half of the 20th century. As technology increased and demand for the resources remained, catches far exceeded the sustainable limit for whale stocks. While the moratorium has been successful in averting the extinction of whale species due to overhunting, contemporary whaling is subject to intense debate. History of whaling[edit] Whaling began in prehistoric times and was initially confined to (near) coastal waters. A modern whaling vessel Modern whaling[edit] Whale oil is little used today[6] and modern commercial whaling is done for food. Japan[edit]

Science/Nature | Iceland begins commercial whaling Iceland has announced it is to resume commercial hunting of whales. Icelandic ships will take nine fin whales, an endangered species, and 30 minke whales each year. In a statement, the fisheries ministry said the nation was dependent on living marine resources, and would keep catches within sustainable limits. Norway is the only other country to hunt commercially; most are bound by a 20-year moratorium. Currently Iceland hunts minkes for "scientific research". The scientific plan will conclude at the end of the 2007 season, the government said. The announcement has angered conservation groups and anti-whaling nations, with some talking of a legal challenge. 'Sustainable' catch The fisheries ministry said hunting could begin as early as next week, and suggested the meat may be exported, which could prove a contentious suggestion as the trade is heavily restricted under international law. "The number of fin whales in the [area] is estimated at around 25,800 animals. Whales and fish Legal moves

News and Articles < Ministry of Fisheries The Icelandic Minister of Fisheries has today issued catch limits regarding sustainable whaling during the fishing year 2006/2007, which ends on August 31 2007. None of the planned catches involve any endangered or threatened stocks of whales. They only involve abundant stocks and are linked to Iceland’s overall policy of sustainable utilisation of marine resources. The total stock size of Central North-Atlantic minke whales is close to 70,000 animals, of which around 43,600 are in Icelandic coastal waters. Fin whales in the Central North-Atlantic number around 25,800 animals. The decision involves takes of 30 minke whales and 9 fin whales, during the fishing year 2006/2007 which ends on August 31 2007. These takes equal less than 0.2% of the number of minke whales in Icelandic coastal waters, an even smaller fraction of the total stock, and less than 0.04% of fin whales in the Central North Atlantic. Iceland is one of several countries that catch whales. Declaration Questions and Answers

News and Articles < Ministry of Fisheries Q: Why is studying whales important for Iceland? A: Iceland's economy is overwhelmingly dependent on fisheries. Fisheries products constitute around 2/3 of the value of Iceland's exports of goods. The sustainability of fisheries is therefore essential for the long-term prosperity of Iceland. Q: Does Iceland catch whales? A: In 2003 Iceland put a research plan forward for discussion within the International Whaling Commission's Scientific Committee. For a number of years Iceland had been considering the option of conducting lethal research on whales, in addition to continuing its non-lethal research. Q: Will Iceland catch whales this year? A: Implementation of the minke whale part of the research plan began in 2003 on a small scale. Q: Is 50 animals a high proportion of the minke whale stock in Icelandic coastal waters? A: No. Q: Didn't the IWC's Scientific Committee oppose Iceland's plan? A: No. Q: Isn't the whaling illegal because of the IWC moratorium on commercial whaling? A: No. A: No.

Whaling in Norway Whaling in Norway involves the hunting of the Minke whale for the purpose of using the whale meat for human consumption, generally in Northern Norway. Whale hunting has been a part of Norwegian coastal culture for centuries, and commercial harvesting of the Minke whale has occurred since the early 20th century,[1] and some still continue the practice in the modern day.[2] History[edit] Norwegians caught whales off the coast of Tromsø as early as the 9th or 10th century. Vikings from Norway also introduced whaling methods for driving small cetaceans, like pilot whales, into fjords in Iceland. The Norse sagas, and other ancient documents, provide few details on Norwegian whaling. Spear-drift whaling was practiced in the North Atlantic as early as the 12th century. Spitsbergen[edit] The whales were primarily hunted to render oil from the blubber for production of soap, paint, varnish, and more—including oil for illumination. Modern Whaling[edit] Svend Foyn (1809–1894) Finnmark[edit] Japan[edit]

Whaling in Japan Japanese whaling (Japanese: 日本の捕鯨, Hepburn: Nihon no hogei?), in terms of active hunting of these large mammals, is estimated to have begun around the 12th century.[1] However, Japanese whaling on an industrial scale began around the 1890s when Japan began to participate in the modern whaling industry, at that time an industry in which many countries participated.[2] Japanese whaling activities have historically extended far outside Japanese territorial waters. During the 20th century, Japan was heavily involved in commercial whaling. This continued until the International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium on commercial whaling went into effect in 1986. Japan continued to hunt whales using the scientific research provision in the agreement, and Japanese whaling is currently conducted by the Institute of Cetacean Research. These hunts are a source of conflict between pro- and anti-whaling countries and organizations. History[edit] Inshore whaling in Taiji, Japan Organized whaling[edit]

Whaling in the Faroe Islands Whaling in the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic has been practiced since about the time of the first Norse settlements on the islands. It is regulated by Faroese authorities but not by the International Whaling Commission as there are disagreements about the Commission's legal competency for small cetaceans.[1][2] Around 950 Long-finned Pilot Whales (Globicephala melaena) are killed annually, mainly during the summer. The hunts, called grindadráp in Faroese, are non-commercial and are organized on a community level; anyone can participate. The hunters first surround the pilot whales with a wide semicircle of boats. Many Faroese consider the hunt an important part of their culture and history. Origins[edit] Whale hunting has been a common phenomenon for a long time. Laws have regulated rights in the Faeroes since medieval times. Records of drive hunts in the Faroe Islands date back to 1584.[5] Elements of the hunt[edit] The sighting[edit] Locations[edit] Regulations[edit] Districts[edit]

Science/Nature | Counting whales: A fluky business In an era when we can track the lineage of humanity using DNA and monitor deforestation from space, you might think scientists would have come up with a more sophisticated way of counting whales than standing on the bridge of a ship with a pair of binoculars. If so, you would be wrong - mostly. Many decades after they were first used, sighting surveys are still the standard way of estimimating how many whales there are in the oceans. "There are many variables that can affect your ability to see whales - that can include obvious things like weather, ice conditions, depending on where you are," says Greg Donovan, the genial Irishman who heads up the scientific programme of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), the global body charged with regulating whale hunting and conserving the giant cetaceans. "But essentially, you look hard until you see either a blow or a body; and then you record it, plus the distance and the angle to where you see it." Gray areas Starting line Taking precautions

Science/Nature | Peace pledges as whale meet opens Countries on both sides of the whaling divide are pledging a new spirit of co-operation as the International Whaling Commission (IWC) convenes. There is general agreement that the global body charged with conserving whales and regulating whaling does neither task very effectively. A year-long diplomatic effort by the US has built bridges between the parties. But there is still deep suspicion, and a fundamental divide over whether it is right to hunt whales at all. It appears that Japan, the head of the pro-hunting bloc, and most of its traditional opponents sense they have something to gain from trying to find common ground. The hunting nations would gain legitimacy, while the prizes for the anti-whalers could include a smaller annual catch, the end of scientific whaling and greater regulation of the hunting that does take place. If the spirit of harmony survives this week, another year of diplomacy is expected, aiming to agree a package of reforms by the next annual meeting. Warmer climes