Iceland to kill more than 180 endangered Fin whales this year

Call for U.S. action as Iceland violates international whaling law 

May 2013. A coalition of international animal welfare and conservation groups is calling on the Obama Administration to impose economic sanctions against Iceland after Icelandic whaling company Hvalur hf announced it will hunt and sell the meat of up to 184 endangered Fin whales this summer after a two year hiatus. Iceland is one of three countries that refuse to abide by international whaling laws banning the killing and trading of whales for commercial gain. The groups have sent a letter to the US Secretaries of State, Commerce and Interior calling for stronger measures by the Obama Administration. 

"President Obama has said that the US opposes resumed commercial whaling by Iceland" said Susan Millward, Executive Director of the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI). "It is now time to act. Certification by the Secretary of Interior is long overdue and should be concluded urgently. There is no obstacle preventing President Obama from imposing trade sanctions against Iceland now under the Pelly Amendment." 

496 Minke and 280 Fin whales killed

Iceland has flouted international laws since 2003; killing 496 Minke whales and 280 endangered Fin whales and exporting over 2,800 metric tons of whale products to Japan. Despite international pressure to discontinue this barbaric practice, Iceland recently announced plans to resume Fin whaling this season after a two year pause, beginning in June. 

"Endangered whales do not belong on a chopping block or dinner table," said Taryn Kiekow, staff attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council. "The United States can play a pivotal role in ending the slaughter of whales by imposing economic sanctions that send a clear message-whaling is no longer tolerated." 

Continued: http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/iceland-fin.html