Whales 8 and 9 continue to hunt

The Icelandic Food and Safety Authority (MAST) is currently considering the installation of cameras on board the whaling vessels *Hval 8* and *Hval 9*. This move comes as part of its ongoing monitoring efforts related to whale hunting activities this year. According to MAST, these cameras would be activated when the hunt begins, marking a new approach in how the authority oversees the whaling industry. The use of such technology could streamline the inspection process significantly, according to Hrönn Ólína Jörundsdóttir, CEO of MAST. She explained that the organization is exploring more automated methods to document hunts independently. Legal aspects regarding the deployment of the cameras are also being examined.

The oversight of whale hunting has been expanded since 2022. In that year, the Iceland Fisheries Council began conducting inspections aboard both *Hval 8* and *Hval 9*. These inspections involve two types of monitoring: one focused on equipment and crew safety, conducted by the Fisheries Council, and another centered on the welfare of whales, carried out jointly with MAST. Additionally, MAST conducts land-based inspections once the whales have been landed, assessing their condition, welfare, and food safety.

In 2022, MAST received a bill from the Fisheries Council for the cost of the inspections conducted that year. The company *Hval hf.* paid the service fees but claimed they were not legally entitled to reimbursement. *Hval hf.* took the matter to court, requesting a refund of the inspection costs. Ultimately, MAST reimbursed *Hval hf.* the entire amount spent on the inspections plus interest, totaling approximately six million Icelandic krona. However, for the current fiscal year, 2023, the cost of the inspections remains uncertain due to factors beyond MAST's control. As per MAST’s response, the expenses for the 2023 inspections have yet to be determined, and the organization has not estimated them for this year.

This year’s inspections will follow similar procedures as in 2023, given that the same regulations governing whaling remain in effect. MAST emphasized that the inspection process is now governed by the same legal framework as other inspections for which the organization holds billing rights.

Meanwhile, the whaling vessels *Hval 8* and *Hval 9* have resumed their hunting operations after being delayed due to poor weather conditions over the past few days. Ten long-finned pilot whales have already been shot during this season, marking the first time since 2023 that whales have been hunted off the Icelandic coast. The vessel *Bandero*, operated by Paul Watson, a prominent figure in animal rights activism, continues its voyage under the watchful eyes of the Coast Guard. *Bandero* has been sailing within Icelandic waters since last week, drawing attention on social media for its mission to stop whaling near Iceland’s shores.

MAST is investigating why the death struggle of a long-finned pilot whale, shot last month, lasted longer than half an hour. The whale was shot four times using harpoons, one of which did not fire. It is estimated that the death struggle lasted 31 minutes. Dr. Þóra Jóhanna Jónasdóttir, head veterinarian at MAST, stated that such incidents should always be viewed seriously. She mentioned that the results of the investigation into the incident will be available in the coming weeks.

Several animal protection organizations have called for an immediate halt to whaling by *Hval hf.* and requested a thorough investigation into alleged violations of animal welfare laws. In a joint statement issued by the Animal Welfare Association of Iceland, Hvalavinir - Guardians of the Sea, the Nature Conservation Society of Iceland, and the Animal Welfare Organization, the request is based on six inspection reports from MAST dated June 22–26, 2026, which were provided to the organizations under freedom of information laws. The groups claim that the reports indicate repeated violations of Law No. 55/2013 on animal welfare, which prohibits unnecessary suffering and mandates that animals be killed quickly and without pain.

The statement highlights the 31-minute death struggle of the long-finned pilot whale, which required four shots to kill, as well as recurring instances where multiple shots were needed to kill a single animal, unsatisfactory documentation of inspection data, and indications of systemic issues in the conduct of the hunts. The organizations further point out that hunting and killing of young whales could violate both animal welfare laws and bans on whaling young whales. They have requested that MAST immediately suspend further whaling based on the current permit held by *Hval hf.* or refer the matter to the authorities for a review of the permit while an independent investigation into potential violations by *Hval hf.* takes place.

Additionally, the organizations reference a professional assessment of animal welfare from June 2023, which concluded that the hunting practices did not comply with the law and cited the suspension of a whaling ship in September 2023 following an incident. They have also requested an independent investigation, input from expert third parties, and a reassessment of the inspection and data recording processes.