International debates over whaling have focused on issues of sustainability and conservation as well as ownership and national sovereignty. Also raised in debates is the question of cetacean intelligence and the level of suffering which the animals undergo during harvest

Some whale species, however (in particular the Minke Whale) have never been considered endangered although Fin Whales in the Northern Atlantic, they still hold that status.

Of more than 150 whales killed in this Icelandic year's hunt, 94 fin whales were included.

This information is avaiable from respected sources on line; please do not hestitate in informing me which of these organizations are dishonest skarpi - I'm rather more inclined to believe them than highly subjective forum posts!


In the United States, whaling is carried out by Alaska natives from nine different communities in Alaska.
The whaling program is managed by the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission which reports to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The hunt takes around 50 Bowhead Whales a year from a population of about 10,500 in Alaskan waters - the IWC Scientific Committee, the same group that provided the above population estimate, projects a population growth of 3.2% per year.