In the beginning of the Northern hemisphere spring , I asked if
1) Iceland would export Fin whales to Japan
2) Norway would fill its whaling quota
Now we know the answers to these questions.
Iceland will not renew its permits for commercial whaling due to lack of an export market to Japan .
And what about Norway?
According to Reuters:
“Norwegian whalers caught just over half their quota of 1,052 minke whales in 2007, a small rise from last year, but hunters and their opponents dispute whether regulations or dwindling demand cut back the catch"
Rune Frövik from the High North Alliance stated that whalers could have killed about 200 more minke whales if the Government haven’t imposed restrictions on whaling. ( Restrictions to whale in coastal areas).
According to Greenpeace Norway, few whales were hunted due to a lack of demand from Norwegians.
“Environmental group Greenpeace, which condemns whaling, said declining demand explained why fewer whales had been caught than the quota set by the Norwegian government allowed.
"Whalers have been stopped by economic interest because there is no market for whale meat in Norway or elsewhere. Even if they could catch more ... they chose not to," said Truls Gulowsen, manager of Greenpeace Norway”
But Rune has said that despite the regulations, 2007 had still proved to be a better season than 2006 for the whalers.
"Prices have increased, more volume has been caught. Weather conditions have been good compared to 2006."
[from Ann Novek, Sweden]
Contradicting statements:
WDCS : In addition, Iceland’s five year ‘scientific’ hunt has finally ended, and so far there have been no reports of any new research permits.
On the other hand a Norwegian site states that the scientific hunt will continue.
Personally methinks there will be a small quota for the domestic market