Wednesday May 27, 2009, 1:41 am
27th May 2009, 7:00 WST



Iceland's whaling season began overnight in defiance of protests from animal rights groups that have called for an end to the practice and after international calls for it to reduce whaling quotas.

Iceland, one of two countries worldwide that still authorises commercial whaling, has set a maximum quota of 100 minke whales that can be killed during the whaling season, which usually runs from May to late September.

"We hope to catch the first minke whale today," Gudmundur Haraldsson, one of the whalers on board the Johanna AR vessel, said.

The Johanna left the harbour town of Njardvik close to the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik at around 10pm (Perth time).

Haraldsson said the promising weather forecast raised hopes that the first minke whale of the season could be brought ashore today.

The first whales are usually killed in a bay just outside of Reykjavik as whaling is banned close to the harbour. The restrictions are to protect the whale watching businesses, which are popular with tourists.

"The first batch of meat will be in stores by the weekend," Gunnar Bergmann Jonsson, manager of the minke whaler association, told AFP.

He said 50 to 60 per cent of the meat will be sold domestically, while the rest is sold to Japan.

Meanwhile, the International Fund for Animal Welfare led calls for the country to call off the hunting season by handing in a letter of protest at the Icelandic embassy in London.

Former fisheries minister Steingrimur Sigfusson said in February Iceland would make no changes to its whaling quotas of 150 fin whales and up to 150 minke whales per year, despite international calls for it to reconsider.

Prior to Sigfusson's announcement, Iceland, which pulled out of an international whaling moratorium in 2006 after 16 years, had a quota of just nine fin whales and 40 minke whales per year.

Iceland and Norway are the only two countries in the world that authorise commercial whaling. Japan officially hunts whales for scientific purposes, which are contested by opponents, and the whale meat is sold for consumption.

REYKJAVIK
AFP

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 2:28 am
Thanks Claudia..
sadly noted..

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 3:09 am
Noted, how sad. Thanks for posting

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 3:20 am
Bankrupt bankers, bankrupt culture! The only thing I could find to say in their defence is at least they are honest about calling it commercial whaling. Unlike Japan that hides behind specious claims of scientific research, that requires more whales than Iceland apparently intends to catch commercially and then they are going to import some of this kill! It's not a very good defence though especially with hypocritical ban near the tourist viewing areas I doubt they would want tourists to witness the bloody and massive butchery of whale catching! I'm surprised they don't make witnessing such acts a crime like the Canadians and their seal murder pogromme. Shades of the Nazis all over again! You have seen nothing! Heard nothing and these mutants have felt nothing! May the polutents in the whale meat cuase them sterility!

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 3:22 am
There won't be any of these beautiful creatures left at this rate. This makes me so angry. Noted with sadness. Thanks Claudia.

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 3:51 am
this makes me sad and mad theres no end to the persecution of these gentle giants

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 4:09 am
It breaks my heart !

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 6:12 am
This makes me so sad - when will it end. I hate that this continues year after year.

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 7:45 am
i do not understand why they still need to kill whales.
many years ago i was given some whale meat[ before i knew bbetter], it had no taste .
these killings must be stopped . Bancrupt country or not the killing of whales for profit [ or any othre reason] in criminal.

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 8:09 am
Why do these beautiful intelligent creatures continue to be slaughtered? Its heartbreaking. When will life overrule money. Thank you Claudia, noted with great sadness.

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 8:32 am
Maybe one day the happy day will come when these very creatures will turn the tables on the 'humans'who slaughter them. A taste of their own medicine? YES!! Poor whales...such sad news.

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 9:35 am
This is so sad. It's an absolute disgrace, how could anybody do this, it's simple insane and all who take part are sub-human. Thank you Claudia.

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 10:37 am
HOW can anybody kill another living being, even when the meat is tasting good?
How can we expect a true righteous world, when we refuse to give up the bloody murdering of our fellow species...
Noted with sadness and thanks Claudia

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 11:30 am
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 11:55 am
It is such a shame that we can not appriciate something for it's beauty and respect it's right to live but instead we as humans think we have a right to take what is not ours for nothing more then greed and lust.

"While we ourselves are the living graves of murdered beasts, how can we expect any ideal conditions on this earth?" George Bernard Shaw

"Truely man is the king of beasts, for his brutality exceeds theirs. We live by the death of others: we are burial places! I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men such as I will look on the murder of animals as they now look on the murder of men."
Leonardo da Vinci

And that is what this is: murder.

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 12:39 pm
It makes me sick to know that this is going on and the only reason I even look at this horror, is in the hope that there is a petition to sign or a place to voice my anger. Somehow I feel that acknowledging human atrocities towards other creatures will someday lead to change. By closing ones eyes, unfortunately we become accomplices. I'm still an optimist at heart, but my heart breaks every day when I read about the brutality and coldness of man. I am ashamed to be human. God forgive us.

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 12:50 pm
Noted, thanx. "Don't it always seem to go, you don't know what you/ve got till it's gone". Sadly, it seems as though we are on the steepest part of the downhill slide.

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 1:02 pm
All that cold has obviously frozen their hearts - I'm ashamed to be human, too....

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 1:10 pm
too sad,what can i add to others comments save to say,we must not give up the fight!!!

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 1:29 pm

we can not allow this slaughter of whales, we must unite in one voice to defend such a criminal act. It is seen that the human animal, is the worst of the planet ... until when.?

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 1:30 pm
Basta de crueldad y muerte animal inncesaria.

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 1:34 pm
Just to think of what the whales will go thru is enough to move me to tears. It is just so sad that anyone could kill the wonderful animals who were on this Earth even before Humans, who are the biggest predators of all. All the animals deserve life.

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 1:34 pm
Really stupid! Why??? Makes me sick and heartbroken!
Tx Claudia

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 2:04 pm
How sad, how sad, I wish there someone who had the power to change all of this, how much do you suppose they get for whale meat? What kinda of people actually would eat whale? They are beautiful loving creatures, they say in family pods, much like we do, and yet so call man can go and kill them, how would that person felt if someone came in him home an d said oh, look at your son I think I will take him and kill to sell him.. They would scream their heads off. But they do not look at it this way. They are really stupid people in a stupid country or they would do better and where are the smart people do they just stand there and do nothing... I would love to be able to talk to them. and make them see my side , but that will never happen, just like the wolves, polar bears, and other things of beauty they are destine to be gone. Sometimes I am very happy that I am as old as I am, Because I fear for the planet and the animals on it.

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 2:27 pm
Around the world it is truly understood the limited options for employment in Iceland & Norway, but it is a new age with abundant opportunities for open minds. But Whaling is beyond outdated and forever will be Wrong, no matter What EXCUSES are made. Open water marine life belongs to society and the planet as a whole, and must No Longer be barbarically butchered to accommodate the simple "Do as we have always done" mentality such as Iceland & Norway have continued to do for centuries.

This slaughter is ONE of the worst exhibits of Inhumanity on the planet, and only proves the much wasted intellect and mentality of the human race, which condones & justifies slaughtering as a means of survival. Other options await those with open minds & hearts who attempt to do good for the planet and All that exist on it. Not just slaughter for a simple paycheck at the cost of OUR magnificent marine life. Butchering OUR marine life for GREED is a disgrace to 'mankind', better yet 'Man-Evil'.

What must be Boycotted; Who must we petition; How do we get this travesty out to the public masses?
The loss of thousands of these magnificent animals Must Not be in Vane.

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 2:41 pm
The only way to stop this is financially. Boycott products from Norway and Iceland and don't give them tourist $$$$.

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 3:27 pm
Noted/thanks Claudia/

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 4:06 pm
Dealers! Only have this to say...CRIMINAL BLOOD DEALERS!
Txs Claudia

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 5:37 pm
Claudia, this is a disgrace. Why are people so mean, My heart and spirit are with these wonderful giants. They are special, they are angels of the deep. I cry for them and so does their creator. Someday this will all turnaround for them and the humans that kill them.

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 6:41 pm
If the people in power elsewhere would really care, they'd find the means to stop these barbaric traditions, an outdated uneeded practice, is the planet and all it's creatures not enough under stress? I wrote a letter last year to the fisheries minister of Iceland, wich responded with a usual reply.

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 7:03 pm

People of the world MUST stop allowing others to use "it's part of our culture" as a method of hiding behind their sins and crimes! Demand a standard of conduct for ALL, and exceptions for NONE! There is absolutely NO reason, justification or rationale for any human to kill any whale - not for food, not for "culture" (what a JOKE) and certainly not for "science" (an even bigger joke, JAPAN!) !

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 8:43 pm
BOYCOTTS ... PETITIONS ... Forget about redundant replies ... LET'S GET TO WORK ! TARGET IWC !

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 10:41 pm
Just sickening. One day there will be no whales left. What will they do breed them in captivity!!

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 11:36 pm
It breaks my heart! Noted with sadness.
Thanks Claudia.

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 11:57 pm
I HAVE NOTHING BUT COMTEMPT FOR THESE MURDERERS. HOW CAN THEY BE SO INHUMANE AND KILL THESE GENTLE GIANTS. I AM SO SICK TO THE STOMACH, DISHEARTENED, ANGRY AND SO UPSET I FEEL HEAVY IN MY HEART FOR THESE BEAUTIFUL WHALES. WE MUST CONTINUE TO BE THEIR VOICE AND PUT AN END TO WHALE HUNTING FOREVER.
SALLY D.

Thursday May 28, 2009, 1:26 am
Only when all of these beautiful creatures have gone will we know how much of a loss it will be... and by then it will be too late!! How very sad.

Thursday May 28, 2009, 2:45 am
Stop whaling, Iceland, Norway and Japan!

Thursday May 28, 2009, 3:13 am
Thankz Claudia, the bastards are murderers and cannibals...

Thursday May 28, 2009, 4:01 am
This was somehow to be expected from a nation of backward people who have their history steeped in blood they have once again in defiance of international law joined with the two other parriah nations Japan and Norway in the indiscriminate slaughter of the whales.It must be said however that not all Icelanders are in favour of this.One Icelander has alerted Sea Shepherd when the first whale was killed.This person has had to keep their e-mail address and even their name secret because of retribution frorm the murderous fisherman.This person has stated that they are ashamed to be an Icelander and is also suggesting a boycott of Icelandic goods.This idea is gaining in momentum and I expect very soon to see a petiotion started on Care2 read about this on Sea Shepherds wesite.This person deserves a medle for honesty and bravery.

Thursday May 28, 2009, 6:51 am
There's still some Viking blood in the Icelanders Alfred.(LOL) But I still believe you must not call them backwards. Their banks fooled a lot of Europeans, I think you heard of ISAVE BANK? Well this rock bottom and all of those greedy Europeans who thought they could enrich themselves in a short time,got the short end of the stick,some lost all their savings,I also saw the add at that time, but i thought is too good to be true,so i never joined. Who's going to give you so much percentage on your money,there's always a catch. So i don't think the Icelanders are backwards unscrupulous.

Thursday May 28, 2009, 7:01 am
P.S. little mistake in typing i meant the Icelanders are not backwards but just unscrupulous. Sorry.

Thursday May 28, 2009, 7:19 am
The Navies of Australia, United States and other anti-whaling countries should interfere with the whaling ships of Iceland and Japan. Challenge their whaling by getting in their way. Make them mad.

Thursday May 28, 2009, 2:54 pm
Thank you very muck my darling! Noted!!!
Bless you!!! :)

Friday May 29, 2009, 8:05 am
this horrible and noted

Wednesday June 3, 2009, 12:30 pm
HIt them where their pocketbooks lie and boycott everything from Iceland, so sadly noted Claudia