Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Iceland to Consider Permanent Ban on Commercial Whaling
Iceland is deciding whether to stop commercial whaling permanently.
Its government plans to present a bill in February.
The bill could ban whaling, but a ban has not yet been decided.
Iceland’s whaling season runs from June to around the end of September.
This year, up to 150 fin whales may be hunted, and 80 had been caught by September 9.
Animal welfare groups want the ban because they say whaling raises ethical, legal and conservation concerns.
Fin whales are considered vulnerable.
If Iceland bans commercial whaling, Norway and Japan would be the only countries still doing it commercially, according to the report.
Iceland’s government plans to submit a whaling bill in February, with a permanent ban among the options under consideration.
A ban would leave Norway and Japan as the only countries continuing commercial whaling, according to the report.
Iceland’s 2025 quota permits the killing of 150 fin whales; 80 had been caught by September 9.
Animal welfare groups cite ethical, veterinary, legal and conservation reasons to support a ban.
Iceland resumed commercial whaling in 2006 despite an International Whaling Commission moratorium dating from 1986.
- Who
- Iceland’s government, whaling operators and animal welfare campaigners are involved; Norway and Japan are also mentioned.
- What
- Iceland will consider legislation that could permanently ban commercial whaling.
- When
- The bill is expected in February; the current hunting season runs from June to around the end of September.
- Where
- Iceland, with comparisons to commercial whaling in Norway and Japan.
- Why
- The government is updating its whaling law, amid political and public support for a ban and concerns about ethics, animal welfare, law and conservation.
- Proposed legislation
- Iceland’s government plans to submit a whaling bill in February.
- Main option
- A permanent ban on commercial whaling is under consideration.
- 2025 quota
- Iceland’s quota allows 150 fin whales to be killed this year.
- Reported catch
- Humane World for Animals said 80 fin whales had been caught by September 9.
- Target species
- Fin whales are the primary target of Iceland’s whaling industry and are classified as vulnerable.
- Remaining commercial whaling countries
- Norway, Japan and Iceland have conducted commercial whaling in recent years; a ban would leave Norway and Japan as the only two.
- International moratorium
- An International Whaling Commission moratorium took effect in 1986; Iceland resumed commercial whaling in 2006 and Norway in 1993.