The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) has said that the whaling industry in Iceland is inextricably linked to parts of its fishing industry.
WDCS is now calling on supermarkets and suppliers across the UK to verify that they do not buy fish from companies in Iceland linked to whaling - and is urging shoppers to seek a pledge from their supermarket to this end. WDCS has written to leading supermarkets and fish suppliers in the UK, highlighting the links between Iceland's whaling and fishing industries and seeking guarantees that they do not purchase fish sourced by companies in Iceland that are connected in any way, whether directly or indirectly, to whaling.
WDCS's Chief Executive, Chris Butler Stroud said “We're sure that most people would be horrified if they knew they could be putting money into the pockets of whalers. We're seeking assurance from supermarkets and suppliers that this is not the case and calling on them to reassure their customers that their fish doesn't have the blood of whales on it.”
An online petition, launched today, calls on supermarkets and suppliers to make this pledge. The petition can be accessed at http://www.stopbloodywhaling.org/view_e_petition.php?e_protest_select=3&&select=9
The Icelandic Government has claimed that the country's whaling and fishing industries are separate. However WDCS has unravelled the links in a complicated family tree of companies. The organisation claims that through shareholdings and shared Directors, Hvalur hf, owner of Iceland's fin whaling fleet has significant control of Grandi, a company with one of the largest shares of Iceland's fishing quotas, that exports at least 20% of its fish to the UK. Grandi recently provided storage services for the fin whales killed by Hvalur.
WDCS's Chris Butler Stroud said “Whilst there is no direct evidence that Grandi is directly involved in whaling activities, there appears to be little doubt that it is indirectly assisting and supporting the whaling activities of Hvalur, and this casts serious doubt on the Icelandic Government's claim. The impacts of whaling are much closer to home than we may previously have thought. Whaling affects us all - from the future survival of species, the impact on our marine eco-systems, right through to the food we buy.”
