The Captain Paul Watson Foundation condemns Iceland’s planned commercial whale hunt

The Captain Paul Watson Foundation has strongly condemned the decision by the company Tjaldtangi ehf. to resume commercial whaling of minke whales in Iceland this summer with the intention of killing up to 217 animals: a crime and a violation of international law

The Captain Paul Watson Foundation has strongly condemned the decision by the company Tjaldtangi ehf. to resume commercial hunting of minke whales off the coast of Iceland this summer. According to the foundation, entrepreneur Gunnar Torfason’s plan to kill up to 217 whales is not only a cruel attack on marine wildlife but also a violation of international law.

This situation stems from Iceland’s continued disregard of the moratorium imposed by the International Whaling Commission (IWC), which bans commercial whaling. Every act of hunting—whether targeting common or smaller whale species—breaks international agreements designed to protect highly intelligent and ecologically vital animals. Whaling represents an irresponsible environmental act that prioritizes short-term profit over ocean health and the global community’s will.

Whales as guardians of the marine ecosystem

Minke whales, like all cetaceans, play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems and combating climate change. Their killing cannot be justified by tradition or economic reasons; it is senseless environmental destruction, especially considering that whale meat is now rejected by the vast majority of consumers worldwide.

Claims that the hunting is conducted under “high animal welfare standards” have been branded false by Captain Locky MacLean, commander of the vessel John Paul DeJoria:

There is no humane way to kill a whale. A harpoon strike cannot guarantee a quick or painless death. The result is always suffering, trauma, and devastation—not only for the whales but also for Iceland’s international reputation.”

The foundation supports Icelandic citizens, whale-watching associations, and environmentalists who are calling for the creation of a permanent whale sanctuary in Ísafjarðardjúp Bay and throughout the North Atlantic region. The message is clear: Iceland must immediately abandon all whaling plans, respect the international moratorium, and become a beacon of ocean protection—not a symbol of its destruction. The North Atlantic is not a slaughterhouse. It is a refuge to be defended.