Iceland's fisheries minister has just announced the decision to resume whaling in Iceland. It is decided, that 38 Minke whales will be taken for scientific purposes in August and September 2003, to find out how much of their diet consists of cod. It is planned to continue with the research and whaling activities in 2004, and possibly, a progressive increase of the amount of whales.

The decision was made without any consultation of the Whale Watching Association of Iceland or the Tourism Industry Association.

The tourism industry is now the second largest industry in Iceland, following the fishing industry. For years, it had been ignored by politicians as a valuable factor for Iceland’s economy. Whale watching is the fastest growing sector of the tourism industry in Iceland, from the day it was established in 1995. Last year, over 62.000 tourists went on a whale watching tour from 10 different locations. The Tourists Industry Association, The Whale Watching Association and the General Meeting of the Icelandic Tourist Board have now past a resolution against the whaling activities, stating that whaling should NOT be resumed before an international agreement has been made on the issue. Furthermore, the decision should be in agreement and cooperation with Iceland's most important trading nations.