26 replies to this topic

[Drew]

Iceland has resumed whale meat exports to the Faroe Islands (a self governed state of Denmark), breaking the spirit of the CITES if not the word since the Faroes are not bound by CITES (but Denmark is).
Iceland has gradually shifted its economy from fish products to other avenues due to decling fish stocks (gee DUHH!!!). I'd insiste on a boycott of Icelandic products but seeing how their most famous exports are Miss Worlds, I'd have to think about that. I mean 1 in 50k women are Miss world winners in Iceland. Sigh! it's tough to be a conservationist.
The total tally so far is 70 minke whales this year. Then we have Japan's 256 tally between June and Aug of this year ALONE and expect to increase to 1415 big whales annually from this year onwards including fin and sei whales both classified as protected by iCUN!

[DeanB]

Has Iceland resumed its whaling.. Just heard from a friend and wanted to know if anyone else has heard this..

If so i I'm furious

Where do we write to where and what do we ban...This is a medieval industry that needs to be stopped permanently. Just found out that whales can live to 300 years old..What right have we to murder these beautiful creatures..

Dive safe

Dean(seriously angry)B

[thatporchdawg]

Seems like they've been at it for a while now....

http://www.seashephe...ld_Iceland.html

This is terrible, especially considering there's no benefit or reason to continue this practice.

[Lndr]

it sucks

As does Japan's plans to take humpbacks from antarctic waters this summer

Whaling is brutal, inhumane, and unjustified.

[Drew]

Merged the 2 topics since my post was posted over a month ago.

[DeanB]

Sorry Drew,

Just been let out of my 'Gimp box' so a little behind the times.

Dive safe

Dean(save the whale)B

[davichin]

It is just incredible!

http://news.bbc.co.u...ech/5319734.stm

http://www.campaign-...0238f6cf0684915

[wagsy]

&^%$* idiots if ya ask me.

Go HERE to sign the online petition.

Companies do take note when they get 150,000 emails so go and do your bit.

Wags

[DeanB]

Fantastic wags..

Everyone sign up..PLEASE.

Dive safe

DeanB

[Mary Lynn]

Hey, Wagsy, thank you for the link to the petition. I've signed it and sent it on. Iceland's position on resuming whaling is horrendous, as is that of Japan. And the Japanese dolphin drives (currently underway) must stop. Period.

Here's BlueVoice.org's page of links to what can be done on both whales and dolphins.

Here's Sea Shepard's page of what can be done to end the dolphin drives.

Here's Oceana's petition on the dolphin drives.

It just seems we're going backwards. And there is great concern that next year's International Whaling Commission meeting will see Japan leading a majority, including a number of small Pacific island nations, in votes to further undo international protection of whales, including the endangered Humpbacks.

[wagsy]

Mary I'm going to put all those links on the front page of hdvunderwater.com.

It's just greedy old silly men....

Well the Japs might be to busy sorting old Kimmy over there in NK instead of killing Whales. No more luxury goods for him as well...gee no new Play Station Kimmy...

[Drew]

Well Icelandic boats have landed the first endangered species, a fin whale. I mean, one thing to hit minkes which have better populations but an endangered species? I guess the 21st century has to catch up with some people with more than with less.

Iceland hunts 1st whale

[wagsy]

Well I think if we help spread the word about what they are doing, many tourists might not go there putting pressure on the Government to stop it as small tourist businesses start going broke.

Have put the links on my site.

[Drew]

The problem is that the small tourist business is fighting against a larger fishing industry which carries votes that keep these ministers in power. Same everywhere else in the world where marine conservation takes a backseat to self-preservation of political power.
I mean it took a scuba diving president to outlaw whaleshark hunting in the philippines, and he gets impeached
The funny thing is that normal icelanders don't even eat whale. It's just that the fishing boats need to keep working to keep the fishermen working. Same in Japan. Marine conservation be damned for the jobs of a few thousand people around the world.

[DeanB]

I do feel sorry when people start to lose their jobs..But in some cases thats progression. In attitudes and knowledge..

If it wasn't the case we'd still be sending kids up chimneys and having slaves.

We fight for what we know is right. I understand people want to keep their traditions and jobs alive but their goverments will have to try and find them work elsewhere. If someone found out that Diving was killing the oceans in someway I'd sell my gear straight away, no probs..O.k its not my living but, seeing things 'Living' is why I do it. I hope I'm not selfish in that respect.

Dive safe

DeanB

[Paul Kay]

I suspect that the best way to apply pressure is to boycott Icelandic goods BUT if you know of an Icelandic company which exports good that you won't buy, then log on to their website and tell them! Pressure will be applied better if companies are furious with their government because they are losing sales and potential sales because of a governmental decision that has nothing to do with them.

[Drew]

Paul, Iceland exports include fish products, Bjork and Sigur Ros... and of course their Miss World types. I don't eat fish so that's easy. Bjork and Sigur Ros, very cool musicians who may join the anti hunt campaign so we should email them.
Miss World types... weelllll... tough one to boycott.

[DeanB]

Come on Drew wheres your tough stance..

Even if a car load of 'Miss world types' pulled up and asked you to 'oil them up' I'd expect you to say 'NO'.. You have your morals..

I would and i know the rest of us would as well.... <_<

Dive safe

Dean(getting his priorities right)B

[wagsy]

Here is another link.

Directorate of Tourism and Overseas Business Affairs

[ralphy]

Here is a copy of my communication to the Iceland UK Embassy at http://www.iceland.org/uk


Dear Ambassador

I have never emailed an Embassy of any nation before today.

The purpose of this email is to draw your attention to the fact that as of today I will be boycotting Icelandic products whenever and wherever the opportunity arises.

I understand that the 'Iceland' food group is owned by Baugar, the Icelandic business who also own Goldsmiths (jewellers) and have a stake in Somerfield. I will no longer buy from these organisations.

I'm not really sure what other Icelandic products I will come into contact with but rest assured that should I identify an article as being Icelandic in origin or remotely connected with Iceland via a Business or Company or any other way I will boycott that product.

I will actively request my family and friends boycott Iceland and Icelandic products. I will alert them to any product that I find has an Icelandic connection.

The sole reason for me taking such a negative view of Iceland, it's Government, people, and produce is because Iceland has resumed commercial whaling including fin whales – which are an endangered species.

Yours sincerely


Ralph Mortimore

I will also be e-mailing this to the relevent companies named, as well as any other business I discover with connections to Iceland.