Iceland: Whale hunters granted controversial five-year permits

In the same year, whaling was suspended in Iceland for two months after a government-commissioned inquiry concluded the methods used did not comply with animal welfare laws.

Monitoring by the government’s veterinary agency showed that explosive harpoons were causing whales prolonged agony.

The Hvalur, Iceland’s only remaining active whaling ship, had instead been reliant on licence renewals on an annual basis.

Iceland’s environment association said the issuing of news permits “violates the interests of the climate, of nature and of the well-being of animals”.

Sharon Livermore, director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s marine conservation programmes, said: “The few wealthy whalers of the country continue to exert their influence even in the dying hours of this interim government.

“This government should simply be holding the fort, but instead it has made a highly controversial and rushed decision.”

Iceland’s ruling Independence Party lost out to the centre-left Social Democratic Alliance in snap elections on Saturday.

The Icelandic government notice, external said the total allowable catch followed advice from the Norwegian Fisheries Agency’s fishing advice “which is based on sustainable use and a precautionary approach”.