More whales will be killed this year than last year, whale hunters expect. The primary reason is growing demand, generated by restaurants who cater to foreign visitors interested in tasting whale meat while in Iceland.
Last year 46 minke whales were shot in the waters around Iceland, compared to 30 whales in 2015. Hunters are allowed to shoot far more animals, but there is not demand for more whale meat and the whalers only shoot as much as they expect to sell each year. This year's the quota is 224 animals.
Read more: Chiefly tourists, not Icelanders, sustaining hunting of mink whales in Icelandic waters
Gunnar Bergmann Jónsson, the manager of the whaling firm IP-útgerð told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service that the growing tourism industry has provided an important boost the whaling industry. Restaurants buy 60% of all whale meat which goes to market, while 40% is sold to supermarkets. More than 100 restaurants in Iceland offer whale on their menu.
More whales will be killed this year than last year, whale hunters expect. The primary reason is growing demand, generated by restaurants who cater to foreign visitors interested in tasting whale meat while in Iceland.
Last year 46 minke whales were shot in the waters around Iceland, compared to 30 whales in 2015. Hunters are allowed to shoot far more animals, but there is not demand for more whale meat and the whalers only shoot as much as they expect to sell each year. This year's the quota is 224 animals.
Read more: Chiefly tourists, not Icelanders, sustaining hunting of mink whales in Icelandic waters
Gunnar Bergmann Jónsson, the manager of the whaling firm IP-útgerð told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service that the growing tourism industry has provided an important boost the whaling industry. Restaurants buy 60% of all whale meat which goes to market, while 40% is sold to supermarkets. More than 100 restaurants in Iceland offer whale on their menu.
