Iceland's EU referendum could finally kill off whaling

Iceland’s looming EU referendum could effectively end commercial whaling, as the country’s government is poised to ban it and make EU accession negotiations easier. Icelanders will vote on Aug. 29 on whether to restart long-abandoned membership talks with the European Union. Joining the EU would mean surrendering fisheries policy control to Brussels, where whale trade and products such as whale oil are prohibited. Whaling has longstanding cultural roots, and the only remaining commercial whaling company, Hvalur hf., is led by Kristján Loftsson, whose critics have dubbed him “Iceland’s Captain Ahab.” The article says whaling resumed last month after a two-year break linked to economic pressures and reduced demand from Japan, with two fin whales killed two days later. An Icelandic institute recommended no more than 150 fin whales in the 2026 season, while the “no” campaign argues the EU would decide fishing matters, opposing the loss of sovereignty. The “yes” side portrays whaling as connected to nationalist strategy against EU membership.