OOZE ONLINE- Iceland Kills Whale in Whale Watching Bay

Iceland Kills Whale in Whale Watching Bay
Reproduced with credit to IFAW

Icelandic whalers have killed a minke whale in a whale watching bay, just
south of Reykjavik, despite promises from the Ministry of Fisheries that the
whalers would steer clear of whale watching areas.

The International Fund For Animal Welfare, (IFAW), which has been tracking
the whaling boat since Iceland resumed whaling last month, filmed the whale
being butchered at sea.

Whale watching operators in Iceland said they were deeply disappointed by
the government's broken promises.

A whale watching boat carrying overseas tour operators was close to the
scene of the slaughter, but alerted by IFAW observers, its captain decided
to change course rather than allow his guests to witness a spectacle likely
to deter them from bringing foreign tourists to Iceland.

Erin Heskett, IFAW's observer currently on the scene in Iceland, said, "The
whalers have shown an arrogant disregard, not just for the cruelty of their
actions, but for the international reputation and economic future of
Iceland. Tourism - based on the country's spectacular wildlife and scenery - is
Iceland's fastest growing industry. It is now the second biggest source of
foreign currency, as well as providing a livelihood for thousands of
people. "The government's decision to resume whaling could do serious harm to the Icelandic economy," Heskett said.

The International Fund For Animal Welfare

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