Another whale hunting season opens in Iceland

Whaling in Iceland will not end this year either. The government has just renewed the license to slaughter cetaceans in its waters. Animal rights activists are thundering, accusing the country of not doing enough for the conservation of this vulnerable species

Another whale hunting season will commence in Iceland, signaling the start of the brutal slaughter of these majestic creatures in the country’s waters. This decision was made by Bjarkey Olsen Gunnarsdóttir, the Minister for Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries, who granted the 2024 hunting license to Hvalur hf., Iceland’s last remaining whaling company.

In an official statement, the minister renewed the company’s permit and announced the number of whales that can be hunted this year based on conservation and ecosystem factors.

128 fin whales to be slaughtered

A total of 128 fin whales will be hunted: 99 in the Greenland/Iceland Western region and 29 in the Eastern Iceland/Faroe Islands region, during the traditional hunting period from June to September.

“The decision is based on a precautionary approach and reflects the government’s increased emphasis on sustainable resource use,” the statement reads, but this justification falls short for many.

Inhumane hunting practices under scrutiny

Animal protection organizations harshly criticize the practice, as it causes unimaginable suffering to the whales due to its extreme brutality. Many of the fin whales, some of which are pregnant, are killed from a distance using harpoons that pierce their flesh. However, not all of them die instantly.

Sometimes, multiple harpoons are needed to kill the whale. On average, whales die after nearly 12 minutes, but death can take hours, leading to prolonged agony. This was revealed in a report from last year’s 2022 hunting season.

Gruesome details from 2022 report

The report highlighted cases where two whales were struck four times each, with one dying after an hour and the other after two hours. Despite stricter regulations imposed by the Icelandic government, such as the ban on killing fin whales accompanied by calves, the massacre continues.

Disappointment from animal welfare advocates

Adam Peyman, Director of Wildlife Programs at Humane Society International, expressed profound disappointment in Minister Bjarkey Olsen Gunnarsdóttir’s decision.

“History could have been made by choosing not to renew the license for the Icelandic whaling fleet and curbing one of the many threats to the conservation of fin whales, but that didn’t happen. Iceland had the opportunity to do the right thing and chose not to,” commented a disheartened Peyman.

Sources: Stjórnarráð Íslands – HSI

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Horses: a dark reality behind their grace

What happens to racehorses (and not only) when they are no longer useful? A new report investigates the Irish and European equine industry. The images released and discoveries made are terrifying even for those who believe they have seen enough animal suffering

Beloved by the Irish for their elegance and strong social temperament, horses are often used in therapy sessions, events, and races. However, when their usefulness ends, a darker reality emerges, marked by abuse, irregularities in slaughterhouses, and shadowy dealings across Europe.

Unveiling the hidden ties between horse racing and slaughterhouses

A new investigation sheds light on the connection between horse racing and slaughterhouses in Ireland and Europe, revealing what the equine industry prefers to keep hidden. This investigation was carried out by RTÉ Investigates. The documentary aired on RTÉ One and was available for streaming on RTE Player on Thursday, June 14.

According to data examined by RTÉ Investigates in “Horses: Making a Killing”, the majority of the thousands of horses killed at Ireland’s only authorized horse slaughterhouse were retired thoroughbreds.

These horses, forced to compete over 3,000 times on tracks across Ireland, the UK, and Europe, belong to an industry that receives 76 million euros in state support in Ireland this year. Then, they meet a grim fate.

Professor Christopher Elliot, founder of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast, shared his shocking findings:

“I have probably visited stables and slaughterhouses for about 45 years. I have never seen anything like this. This is… something I have never seen before, it is simply and incredibly distressing.”

Food safety risks exposed

The documentary also highlights the food safety risks due to a flawed horse traceability system, with horses being exchanged within European borders and given new identities.

Following the premiere of Horses: Making a Killing, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine issued a press release stating that inspections had begun.

Government response

“I watched the RTÉ Investigates program this evening, which included some disturbing images. I am taking the issue extremely seriously. My department has already launched an investigation in recent weeks regarding the supply of horses for slaughter, with ongoing aspects of the investigation related to some broadcast activities. Any new allegations or evidence of negligence or illegal activity in the equine sector brought to light by this program will be thoroughly investigated by my department,” said Minister McConalogue.

The report is available for streaming at this link.

Source: RTE

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