2010-02-23

Norwegian Whalers Celebrate Possible Return Of Commercial Whaling

Norwegian whalers are welcoming a possible deal that would lift the International Whaling Commissions commercial whaling ban, according to NRK news. Whalers in Lofoten are saying that the proposal is "good news" for them.  In an interview with the Norwegian news service, Leif Ole Olavsen, owner of the whaling vessel Brandsholmboen, celebrated the release of the package deal saying that it might give the whalers a better chance to export their whale meat to Japan.

The whalers are also hoping that the plan will reinvigorate what has been a declining local industry, and help to bring in new whalers.  "Opening up commercial whaling will mean more recruiting for the profession, which has been non-existent these days, according to the whalers, who remember the good old days." Olavsen said that he is also looking forward to getting to hunt other, larger species than the minke whale.

Other Norwegians are urging caution, however.  Karsten Klepsvik, head of the Norwegian delegation to the IWC said that he thinks that it will be "difficult" to get agreement on the package, which will be discussed at a special meeting of the IWC in the first week of March.

source: NRK

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