Iceland plans huge whale meat export to Japan: firm

(AFP) – Sep 25, 2009

REYKJAVIK — Iceland's fin whaling company said on Friday it plans a huge export of about 1,500 tonnes of whale meat, mainly to Japan, after wrapping up its hunting season for this year.

Kristjan Loftsson, boss of company Hvalur, said the firm brought ashore 125 fin whales this season following a huge rise in the number of animals they were allowed to catch.

Last year the whalers were permitted to catch just nine fin whales -- that figure rose to 150 for the 2009 season.

"We have about 1,500 tonnes of frozen produce that we are preparing to export," said Loftsson, with Japan the main customer.

"I am happy with the season," he added.

Loftsson said his whalers were wrapping up the 2009 season after bringing ashore their final two whales on Friday.

The fishermen caught all but 25 of the fin whales permitted by the quota.

Hvalur is the only company authorised to hunt fin whales in Iceland.

Iceland's whaling season opened on May 26 amid fierce opposition from environmental groups angered by the sharp quota rise.

As well as the fin whale increase, the minke whale quota increased to 100 from 40.

Greenpeace attacked Iceland's leaders over the increase, angered that a left-wing administration elected a month before the start of the season would not reconsider the quota increases.

Many species of whales are now endangered and hunting of the marine mammal was officially banned with a moratorium in 1986.

Iceland and Norway are the only two countries in the world that now authorise commercial whaling.

Iceland withdrew from the moratorium in 2006, and Norway in 1993, triggering an international outcry on both occasions.

Japan officially allows whaling for scientific purposes, but the meat is then sold to restaurants and supermarkets.

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