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The Norwegian government has increased the number of whales it can kill during its 2024 whaling season to 1157 whales. This is an increase of 157 whales from the 2023 quota. Please join us in calling on Norway to finally put an end to this cruel practice!

Minke whales are beautiful and gentle animals who most of the world has agreed should not be hunted. However, Norway is one of the few countries that continues to defy the global moratorium on commercial whaling that went into effect in 1986. The whales are hunted from boats and are killed with grenade-tipped harpoons fired from cannons which are supposed to kill on impact. However, a significant percentage of whales do not die right away and instead suffer in agony taking up to 20 minutes to die.

The ridiculous justification of increasing the quota by Norwegian Fisheries Minister, Cecile Myrseth, goes against scientific evidence. Myrseth said in a statement, “Whales eat significant amounts of fish which are food for other species, including humans,” and added, “Norwegian whaling contributes to balance in the marine ecosystems.” Science shows the opposite is true. Whales are an important part of a healthy ecosystem and larger whale populations support larger fish populations.

Whales play a pivotal role in the health of the ocean. They help feed phytoplankton which are crucial in not only the health of the ocean but the entire planet. Phytoplankton produce up to 50% of the world's oxygen and capture up to 40% of all carbon produced on the planet. Whales help feed this important organism through their feces and by circulating nutrients throughout the ocean when they dive down deep and resurface. Whales also store carbon in their bodies. When they die, their bodies sink and that carbon is locked on the bottom of the ocean for a millenia. By killing whales, many of them pregnant females, Norway is robbing the planet of a crucial species needed to mitigate the climate crisis.

Not only is commercial whaling bad for whales and the planet, but Norway has seen a significant decrease in the appetite for whale meat. A 2021 joint survey found that only 2% of Norwegians eat whale meat often while no one under 35 reported eating whale meat often. With a dwindling number of people interested in eating whale meat, there is no reason to continue killing these magnificent and important animals.

Commercial whaling is cruel, unnecessary, and damaging to the environment. Norway could celebrate its connection to whales by promoting a sustainable way to enjoy them such as responsible whale watching. It is time for Norway to put an end to its whaling practice.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: End Norway’s Commercial Whaling | Stopp kommersiell hvalfangst i Norge

As someone who is concerned with wildlife and the environment and one of over 250,000 In Defense of Animals supporters, I am writing to urge you to permanently end Norway’s participation in commercial whaling. 

There is a global moratorium on commercial whaling and most of the world agrees whales are beautiful and gentle animals who should not be hunted. Almost a quarter of whales killed in Norway’s annual whaling season suffer for a prolonged period of time before dying.

Not only is whaling incredibly cruel, it is also unsustainable. Whales are important to a healthy ocean providing food for phytoplankton and storing carbon in their bodies. At this crucial time of tackling the climate crisis pivotal species like whales should not be killed.

Instead of an annual whale hunting season, I urge you to forge a new path where Norway can celebrate its whale population in a sustainable way such as whale watching, which can benefit whales, the environment, and the economy.

Som en person som er opptatt av dyreliv og miljø, og som en av over 250 000 støttespillere av In Defense of Animals organisasjonen, skriver jeg til deg for å oppfordre deg til å permanent stanse Norges rolle i kommersiell hvalfangst. 

Det foreligger et globalt forbud mot kommersiell hvalfangst, og de fleste i verden er enige om at hvaler er skjønne og snille dyr som ikke bør jaktes på. Nærmere en fjerdedel av hvalene som drepes i Norges årlige hvalfangstsesong, lider i lengre perioder før de dør.

Hvalfangst er ikke bare utrolig grusomt, det er heller ikke bærekraftig. For et sunt hav er hvalene viktige som mat for planteplankton og for å lagre karbon i kroppen. I en tid hvor det er så viktig å takle klimakrisen, bør viktige arter som hvaler ikke drepes.

Jeg oppfordrer derfor til å finne en ny vei i stedet for en årlig hvaljaktsesong, der Norge kan feire hvalbestanden på en bærekraftig måte, for eksempel gjennom hvalsafari, noe som kan være til fordel for både hvalene, miljøet og økonomien.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.