Iceland plans bill to ban commercial whaling

Iceland's government says it plans to submit a bill to parliament next February to ban commercial whaling.

If approved, it would leave Japan and Norway as the only countries continuing the practice.

Iceland's government made the announcement last Wednesday. The plan is based on a report by a whaling management panel.

Iceland's only whaling company did not catch any whales in 2024 or 2025, partly due to waning demand.

An animal welfare NPO says 80 whales have been caught in the country so far this year.

The group points to considerable political and public support for the bill and says it hopes the legislation will succeed on ethical grounds.