Let’s make Icelandic whaling a thing of the past.

Dear friends,

It inspires me enough to envision the second largest whale (and Being) on the planet, 60 tons in weight, 80 ft in length, so fast moving and massive that dolphins bowride in front of them.

Evolving over millions of years, each large whale can sequester (an average of) 33 tons of carbon (CO2) in its lifetime while cycling tons of precious nutrients back to the tiny micro fauna that they ultimately consume. Whales are climate legends. 

Within weeks, the last operating Icelandic whaling fleet (owned by one multi-millionaire) will set sail with a permit allowing him to kill at least 161 Endangered Fin whales this year. An extensive report released this month by Iceland’s government detailed the cruelty of last year’s brutal hunt, executed by the same fleet using grenade-tipped harpoons.
“41% of the whales killed took over 11 minutes to die. Some fin whales were shot with up to four harpoons. One whale took one hour to die, one took two hours, and one was hunted with a harpoon in its back for five hours before the hunt was abandoned. Two-thirds of the whales killed were female, and at least eleven were pregnant. One whale killed was lactating, which means that a calf was likely left to die in the open ocean, a violation of Icelandic law.”

Despite this news, there is hope:
More than ever, the cruelty of Icelandic whaling has been revealed. Ms Svandís Svavarsdóttir, Iceland’s minister of food, agriculture and fisheries, is in a position to make whaling a thing of the past. The Guardian* quoted the minister: “This alarming report underscores the need for a discussion in Iceland about the values we want to be known for. I believe that industries incapable of guaranteeing animal welfare should be considered part of our past rather than our future. This report, along with the expert council on animal welfare’s findings, will serve as essential background material for making decisions about the future of whaling post 2023.”

Let’s back her up! I urge you today to take actions, especially use the mighty power of your pen to send a message to save the majestic Fin whales.

Please click the button below to get started.

All the Best,
Peggy Oki
Founder & Director - Origami Whales Project